Pharmacy staff play an important part in patient care and recovery as well as public health, by using their expert knowledge of medicines and their uses. They offer a diverse range of healthcare services, from dispensing prescriptions, providing health advice, supporting people with long term conditions, administering vaccinations and conducting basic health screenings. They also play a crucial role in medication management, ensuring patients receive the right medications at the right time. They work in many different settings from traditional community pharmacies on the high street to general practice surgeries, hospitals, care homes, mental health trusts, research, academia, and pharmaceutical industries to name a few.
Pharmacists
Pharmacists are experts in medicines & their use. Medicines are the most common treatment offered to patients.
To practice as a pharmacist, you need to study for an accredited four-year master’s degree in pharmacy (MPharm) at University.
After a further one-year placement and a final exam, you are eligible to apply for registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
Pharmacists: use their expert knowledge to advise patients on minor ailments, help patients manage long term conditions and ensure medicines are safe, appropriate, and work effectively for the patient. Many pharmacists now prescribe medication after careful assessment and adjust medicines to support patients achieve the best from their medicines. They supervise technicians and assistants in pharmacy teams and provide vital input on medicines to colleagues in the wider healthcare team such as doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Learn more at: Pharmacist | Health Careers
For further information visit the below links
Master of Pharmacy | Uni of Herts
Students and trainees | General Pharmaceutical Council (pharmacyregulation.org)
Pharmacist Technician
Pharmacy technicians: are involved in many aspects of medicine taking with patients. From being involved in the preparation and supply of medicines to supporting medicines administration and reviews. They offer advice to help patients make the most of their medicines and liaise with other healthcare members. To practice as a pharmacy technician, you must be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). To register, you need to have completed a 2-year GPhC approved competency and knowledge-based qualification/course. You’ll usually be employed by a pharmacy as a pre-registration trainee pharmacy technician and study for a level 3 apprenticeship.
Learn more at: Pharmacy technician | Health Careers
Pharmacy support staff/assistant
Pharmacy support staff/assistant are supervised by pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, and support with medicine queries from patients, ordering stock, giving advice on over-the-counter medicines and support patients with adopting healthier lifestyles through initiatives like stopping smoking.
There are no set entry requirements to become a pharmacy assistant. Employers usually expect good literacy, numeracy and IT skills, and may ask for GCSEs or equivalent qualifications.
Learn more at: Pharmacy assistant | Health Careers
Interested in working here? Click here to find your next role.
For roles in community pharmacy https://communitypharmacycareers.org/.
Find out more about all the different career paths in the pharmacy world at A career in pharmacy (careersinpharmacy.uk)
Interested in an Interactive insight into a pharmacy career? visit Pharmacy - 360 (hee-vr360.azurewebsites.net)
Hear from our colleagues
As the Lead Frailty Pharmacist, I carry out several roles in my working week in different organisations across the Hertfordshire and West Essex area.
I provide clinical expertise on frailty and polypharmacy at Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board, and clinical pharmaceutical input at the OPAL (Frailty) Unit at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow. Both roles enable me to work holistically and collaboratively over multiple organisations to benefit frail older people. The remaining day is spent as an Academic Link Pharmacist at the University of Hertfordshire where I teach undergraduate and postgraduate pharmacy students.
Living and working within Hertfordshire and West Essex is an absolute pleasure as I have the privilege to work alongside amazing people across the local area who are genuinely keen to make a difference to the health of older people.
Shirley, Lead Frailty Pharmacist
I am a pharmacist working in a GP surgery within the Herts and West Essex area over the last few years. It has been a great experience with many opportunities to develop my skills to further progress within my career, as well as having the fantastic ongoing support from my colleagues and other healthcare professionals. As such, I have nearly completed my master’s in advanced clinical practice. In my role I conduct medication as well as long-term health reviews for patients with different conditions, such as diabetes and asthma.
This helps to ensure the medications are safe for patients to use and to optimise their health. Furthermore, I provide appointments to help take the pressure of GPs by seeing and treating patients with common illnesses and ailments.
Mohammad, trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner
I chose this career as I enjoy helping people within the community to manage their medicines better, as well as working with other healthcare professionals in improving patient care.
Since qualifying as a Pharmacy Technician and till now, the role has significantly evolved and expanded. I support our pharmacy team in delivering clinics in the pharmacy for stop smoking, blood pressure and vaccinations, which helps to free up the Pharmacist’s time. As well as supporting the supply of medications, we are now also able to administer medicines and other products to patients.
Working in the Herts and West Essex area is great because I am working within our local community and feel supported by local healthcare professionals.
Mayuri, Pharmacy Technician
The Academy is part of the Hertfordshire and west Essex Integrated Care System where NHS organisations, in partnership with local councils and others, take collective responsibility for managing resources, delivering NHS standards, and improving the health of the population they serve.
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