Pharmacists work either in a community or retail pharmacy or in a hospital or clinical pharmacy.

The Work

Community or Retail Pharmacist

You could be:

• supplying over the counter and prescribed medicines to the general public
• making sure that medicines are stored securely and correctly labelled
• checking that dosages and instructions on prescriptions are accurate and clear
• referring back to a doctor if there is a problem, for example a conflict with other medication the person is taking
• preparing prescriptions and advising people how to use medicines properly
• managing and training other pharmacy support staff
• advising customers on a range of health matters and referring them to their doctor or dentist if needed
• carrying out cholesterol and blood pressure checks and diabetes screening
• keeping records and business accounts up to date and handling cash.

Hospital or Clinical Pharmacist

You could be:

• making sure that drugs and medicines are stored securely and correctly labelled
• checking the quality of medical products
• preparing drugs and medical products and arranging for them to be delivered to various hospital departments
• maintaining and ordering supplies
• advising and informing staff and patients on the best drugs to use
• making rounds of the wards with other medical staff to see patients and discuss medication
• training and supervising pharmacy support staff
• keeping records and completing forms.

Pay

Pay rates can vary depending on whether the pharmacist works with the National Health Service (NHS), with a private practice, or is self-employed.

Pharmacists working within the NHS are on Agenda for Change scales. The current pay scales are from April 2021. Pre-registration pharmacists are normally on Band 5, £26,104 to £32,915 a year. After registration pharmacists are on Band 6, £33,072 to £40,736 a year. Clinical and specialist pharmacists are on Band 7, £40,872 to £47,846 a year. Senior pharmacists and team leaders are on Band 8a, £50,470 to £54,482 a year and Band 8b, £60,730 to £65,377 a year.

Salaries for community pharmacists range from £23,000 to £50,000 a year depending on experience and size of pharmacy.

Conditions

• Community or retail pharmacists work in shops including chain stores and supermarkets – they may visit people at home.
• Hospital or clinical pharmacists work in laboratories or dispensaries and may visit patients in the wards or in residential homes – they may sometimes work in health centres.
• All types of pharmacists usually work regular hours although retail pharmacists may have to work at weekends or in the evening, and hospital pharmacists sometimes have to work shifts.
• Flexible or part time hours are possible.
• Pharmacists usually have to wear a white lab coat or other protective clothing.

Getting In

• You need a degree (SCQF Level 10) in pharmacy. In Scotland, the University of Strathclyde and Robert Gordon University offer a Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) degree course.
• Entry to Robert Gordon is 4 good Highers including English and Chemistry, plus two further science subjects or Maths.
• Entry to Strathclyde is for 2nd year and you need Advanced Highers plus 4 good Highers.
• To work as a pharmacist you need to register with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). You can do this on completion of the necessary qualifications and one year pre-registration training (see 'Training' below).

What Does it Take?

You need to be:

• methodical and pay close attention to detail
• accurate and precise – mistakes could be fatal
• a good organiser
• willing to take responsibility
• able to get on well with people, both colleagues and customers
• able to explain detailed and sensitive information to the public
• patient and understanding when dealing with the public.

You should have:

• IT skills
• a professional manner
• a good memory
• business skills if working as a retail or community pharmacist.

Training

• After completing your MPharm degree, you would complete a paid Foundation training year and pass a registration assessment to gain GPhC registration to become a qualified pharmacist.
• Most hospital pharmacists go on to take a postgraduate certificate or diploma in clinical pharmacy.
• You need to keep up to date with research and development of new drugs.

Getting On

• You will be required to keep your skills and knowledge up to date by undertaking continuous professional development (CPD) courses throughout your career.
• You could be self-employed, either as a locum or running a high street pharmacy.
• You can train as a supplementary prescriber, to work in a Primary Health Care Trust.
• There are opportunities to teach or do research.
• There are also opportunities in general management and advisory or consultancy work.
• You can take specialist postgraduate courses.

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Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.