Apprenticeship Pharmacist Jobs

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Helping you find a career in the pharmacist industry

Pharmacists dispense and distribute medicine, keeping their communities healthy while working to legal and ethical guidelines. To work in a pharmacy you need to be confident in dealing with patients and customers. You could find yourself working in a GP surgery, a local pharmacy or in a supermarket.

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FAQs

FAQs

What does a Pharmacist do?

The specificity of the job will depend upon the kind of pharmacy you work in. Some examples of the kinds of day-to-day activities pharmacists do includes:

Dispensing prescription medicine
Selling over the counter products, e.g. cough sweets or hay fever tablets
Checking dosages and ensure the correct medicines are supplied in the correct quantities
Keeping records of all stock received and dispensed
Advising the public on treating minor ailments
Advising the public on the side effects of a given medicine
Managing a needle and syringe exchange
Offering specialist health checks, e.g. blood pressure and cholesterol monitoring
Running weight loss and stop smoking groups
Managing budgets

Skills & interests required for a Pharmacist

Communication skills
A good listener
Good at working as part of a team
An empathetic manner and interest in public health
Understanding of business principles
Trustworthy
Happy with high levels of responsibility

What hours does a Pharmacist typically do?

Working hours could include unsocial hours and are generally decided by a rota system. There are opportunities for part time, temporary and job share positions. Many pharmacies are open for extended hours to offer the public access to important medical treatments.

What environment is a Pharmacist based in?

A pharmacy, be it in a dedicated high street pharmacy, in a supermarket, or within a GPs surgery.

How much does a Pharmacist get paid?

Trainees are paid between £16,000 and £20,000 per annum with more experienced and qualified pharmacists being paid around £30,000 a year. Small independent pharmacies may pay less than this. With experience the salary of a pharmacist can rise to £45,000 to £70,000 per annum.

Perks & benefits

For those who relish responsibility the rewarding nature of the job may be an incentive as it naturally involves helping members of a local community.

What qualifications does a Pharmacist need?

To become a pharmacist you need to complete a Masters degree in pharmacy accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). There is then a year's training in a community pharmacy to prepare you for the job and its responsibilities.