Pharmacy careers
If you enjoy science and are keen to help others, pharmacy could be for you. Whether you work in a hospital, GP practise or community pharmacy setting, you need good communication skills to work with the public and patients in a clinical role and as part of a healthcare team.
Explore the roles available in pharmacy and training required.
Roles in pharmacy | Health Careers Information for overseas pharmacists | Health Careers
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Pharmacist
Pharmacists make a difference to the lives of their patients by using expert knowledge of medicines and health.
Helping people live longer and healthier lives depends on the safe use of medicines and excellent healthcare advice.
You’ll use your expert knowledge of medicines and health to make a positive difference to people’s lives and wellbeing. You’ll provide care in a range of settings, often at the heart of local communities.
You’ll work with other healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and healthcare scientists to deliver care in your local community.
Career overview
Visit the Health Careers website to find a course near you. You'll also find answers for the following questions:
- What are the pay and benefits?
- Where could you work?
- How do you become a pharmacist?
- What are the entry requirements to start training as a pharmacist?
- Are there any must-have skills?
- What training and development is available?
- Where can pharmacy take you in your career?
Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy technicians are essential to the smooth running of pharmacies, making sure patients get the most out of their medicines.
You'll work under the supervision of a pharmacist. You'll speak with patients, offering them advice on how to best manage their medicines.
Career overview
Visit the Health Careers website to find a course near you. You'll also find answers for the following questions:
- What are the pay and benefits?
- Where could you work?
- How do you become a pharmacist?
- What are the entry requirements to start training as a pharmacist?
- Are there any must-have skills?
- What training and development is available?
- Where can pharmacy take you in your career?
Pharmacy Assistant
Pharmacy assistants help pharmacists and pharmacy technicians order, prepare and dispense medicines.
You’ll work as part of a pharmacy team under the direction of a registered pharmacist. You’ll work with patients every day and help with their prescriptions. You’ll also answer their questions, either face-to-face or over the phone.
You will make sure that the pharmacy has the necessary stock by ordering items as well as receiving, loading and unloading deliveries. If working in a hospital or health centre, you may deliver medicines to other wards or healthcare professionals.
You might also help manufacture medicine for individual patients where needed such as those needing cancer treatment.
Career overview
Visit the Health Careers website to find answers for the following questions:
- What are the pay and benefits?
- Where could you work?
- How do you become a pharmacist?
- What are the entry requirements to start training as a pharmacist?
- Are there any must-have skills?
- What training and development is available?
- Where can pharmacy take you in your career?