How to become a pharmacy assistant
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- a trainee position
- applying directly
College
You can learn some of the skills you need for this job by doing a college course. Courses include:
- Level 2 or 3 Certificate in Retail Skills
Entry requirements
You may need:
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
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Apprenticeship
You can get into this job through a pharmacy services assistant or retailer intermediate apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
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Work
You may be able to get a trainee position in a pharmacy. You could combine work with 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 job vacancies. Experience of customer service will be helpful.
Employers will expect you to have good reading, number and IT skills. They may ask for GCSEs.
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Further information
You can find out more about working as a pharmacy assistant from Health Careers.