Start a career in pharmacy

Careers with opportunity

A pharmacy career offers the chance to make a positive difference to people’s lives and wellbeing, by providing care in a wide range of settings, often at the heart of communities.

As well as having an expert knowledge of medicines, and how they work to treat illnesses, you’ll help people to stay well by supporting healthy lifestyles.

Being a pharmacy professional, is rewarding when you know you have helped a patient. But it is more than that. With ongoing training, you’ll be able to able to progress, moving to more senior positions. Dorset is committed to the development of all pharmacy professionals.

  • Make a difference to people’s lives by supporting them with their medicines

  • You can start a career from school or later in life

  • Work in supportive teams with a range of skills across different healthcare settings

  • Progress your career within all pharmacy profession roles

Pharmacy roles

There are a range of roles in pharmacy with the opportunity to work in many healthcare settings such as hospital, community pharmacy and general practice. The following provides a brief description of roles and links to further information.

Pharmacy assistants, also known as dispensing assistants, help pharmacists and pharmacy technicians order, prepare and dispense medicines. There is no set entry requirement if you want to train as a pharmacy assistant but good literacy, numeracy, IT and customer service skills are beneficial.

Many pharmacy assistants choose to progress and train as a pharmacy technician.

You can find out more about this role on the healthcare careers website.

Pharmacy Technicians make sure patients get the most out of their medicines in many ways. Your typical day could involve giving medicines to patients, either on prescription or over the counter and providing information on potential side-effects. You’ll work with patients to reach the best possible care for them, advising them on their health, how to take their medicines and their lifestyle choice. This could be face-to-face or over the phone.

Sometimes you’ll need to refer patients on to another healthcare professional. You’ll also be responsible for the supply of medicines at the pharmacy by working in the dispensary. You may supervise other pharmacy staff, such as pharmacy assistants.

You become a pharmacy technician by completing a two-year accredited pharmacy technician course involving practical work experience and study. The entry requirements are usually four GCSE or equivalent at A*-C/9-4 including mathematics, English language, science and one other subject.

In Dorset we provide training placements in acute hospital, community pharmacy, general practice and mental health. You can train in a single healthcare setting or a combination of settings.

You can find out more about this role on the healthcare careers website.

Pharmacists make a difference to the lives of their patients through an expert knowledge of medicines and health. Helping people live longer and healthier lives depends on the safe use of medicines and excellent healthcare advice. Pharmacists’ unique expertise and knowledge makes them essential members of the healthcare team.

You’ll combine a love of science with a desire to improve lives and be rewarded with a stimulating career across a range of settings and industries.

To become a pharmacist you need to study a four-year degree followed by a one-year paid foundation work-based training year. The entry requirements are set by the university but you would expect to have three A-levels (or equivalent) in chemistry and a second science or maths. There are other ways to access the pharmacy degree including a foundation course.

In Dorset we provide training year placements in acute hospital, community pharmacy, general practice and mental health. You can train in a single healthcare setting or a combination of settings.

Learn more about the Our Dorset Trainee Pharmacist Programme here.

You can find out more about this role on the health careers website.

Where you can work

There are many different healthcare settings that pharmacy professionals work in for example:

  • Education & training

  • Care homes

  • Community pharmacy

  • Primary care (general practice)

  • Health & justice

  • Hospital

  • Mental health services

  • NHS organisations

  • Pharmaceutical industry

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