Pharmacy technician
Prepare and supply medication to make sure patients receive the care they need.
About the job
What it's like
Searching for a healthcare career where you'll help people overcome illnesses and manage their conditions?
As a pharmacy technician, you'll prepare and supply medication under the supervision of a pharmacist. You'll work in a community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, GP practice or prison.
In a community pharmacy, you'll talk with customers to:
advise them about prescription medicines and over-the-counter products
explain how to deal with minor illnesses
discuss healthy living – for example, some pharmacy technicians provide a stop-smoking service
If you work in a hospital pharmacy, you might assemble prescriptions for patients who are receiving cancer treatment, newborn babies or those who are recovering from operations. Some of these medications need to be made up in special, sterile conditions to avoid contamination
You'll also be responsible for making sure that each department in the hospital has the right amount of medicine in stock. With experience, you could specialise in a particular area such as quality control, clinical trials or medicines information services.
Pharmacy technicians must be able to explain things clearly. Some people may be embarrassed about their health conditions, so you need to act discreetly.
You'll refer patients to a pharmacist or other healthcare professionals when necessary.
Your tasks might include:
selecting the correct items to make up a prescription and prepare it for a pharmacist to check
spending time in sterile areas measuring volumes of medication before giving it to people
managing the pharmacy stock – this could include ordering, stocktakes and secure storage of medicines
giving advice to patients or other healthcare staff on how to take and store medicines properly
creating labels that clearly state what prescription items are and how they should be used
training and supervising pharmacy support workers
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
NHS Scotland Careers – learn more about working as a pharmacy technician
General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) – find advice about training from the regulatory body (you'll need to register with them once you've qualified)
The Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK – check out this membership organisation that safeguards the profession
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Retail Life sciences Healthcare
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- understanding
- taking responsibility
- implementing ideas
- attention to detail
- social conscience
- verbal communication
- supporting
- positive attitude
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Biology
Chemistry
Human Biology
Skills for Work: Laboratory Science
There are two ways you can become a pharmacy technician in Scotland.
Apprenticeships
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) means you learn while working. You get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time. You might want to consider an MA in Pharmacy Services.
A Pharmacy Services MA at SCQF Level 6 is a great starting point. Although, to become a qualified pharmacy technician, you need to complete an SCQF Level 8 Pharmacy Services Technical Apprenticeship.
Work
You'll apply for a pre-registration trainee pharmacy technician role. This is a paid position and you'll be employed by the NHS or a community pharmacy while you study a Diploma in Pharmacy Services.
After the two-year programme, you'll register with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and practice as a qualified pharmacy technician.
Find the latest trainee pharmacy technician vacancies on the NHS Scotland website.
Volunteering in a healthcare role can help you build the skills and experience you’ll need to become a pharmacy technician. Search for NHS or healthcare-based opportunities on Volunteer Scotland.
Work experience is a great way to sample what the job's like and develop useful skills. Contact your local health board to ask about work experience opportunities.
All pharmacy technicians must register with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). Before you register, you'll need a Diploma in Pharmacy Services or an SCQF Level 8 Pharmacy Services Technical Apprenticeship.
