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Pharmacy assistant

Alternative titles for this job include Chemist’s assistant, dispensing assistant

Pharmacy assistants serve customers and patients in chemists and hospital dispensaries.

Average salary (a year)

£24,000 Starter

to

£31,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

36 to 40

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • a trainee position
  • applying directly

College

You could do a college course in retail skills to help get a job as a trainee pharmacy assistant.

Entry requirements

There are no set entry requirements for this route but it may help you to get in if you have:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship, with a high street pharmacy or in a hospital, such as:

  • Pharmacy Services Assistant Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Retail Service, Supply and Administration Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship
  • Retailer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship

Foundation apprenticeship

You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.

If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship
  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You might be able to get a trainee pharmacy assistant job in a pharmacy. 

You could work and do a part time qualification like the Level 2 Certificate in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Support Staff.

Direct Application

You can apply directly for pharmacy assistant roles

You might need:

  • experience of customer service
  • good reading, number and IT skills
  • GCSEs or equivalent

More Information

Further information

You can find out more about working as a pharmacy assistant from Health Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • customer service skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • to enjoy working with other people
  • the ability to read English
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a pharmacy assistant you could:

  • serve customers and give advice about non-prescription items
  • label products, stock shelves and put orders together
  • take calls from GP surgeries, nursing homes and clinics
  • deliver medicines to wards
  • enter medicine data on computer systems

Working environment

You could work at a health centre, at a store or in an NHS or private hospital.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience and a recognised qualification, you could become a senior pharmacy assistant, supervisor or manager. 

With further training, you could become a pharmacy technician.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

L2 Pharmacy Assistant Apprentice

  • Wage: £15,600 a year Annually
  • Location: London

L2 Pharmacy Assistant Apprentice

  • Wage: £15,600 a year Annually
  • Location: Nunhead, London
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Certificate in Retail Skills

  • Provider: BARNARDO'S
  • Start date: Flexible
  • Location: North Shields

Certificate in Skills for Retail

  • Provider: SHEFFIELD COLLEGE, THE
  • Start date: Flexible
  • Location: SHEFFIELD
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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