what is a pharmacist?
As a pharmacist, you handle prescriptions and guide customers on how to use medications properly. You fill prescriptions issued by healthcare professionals. If the medications are unavailable, you advise patients on alternatives and explain the possible side effects of the drugs.
A pharmacist typically works in a chemist's shop dispensing prescription medication. You help customers choose over-the-counter medicines for minor ailments. As a pharmacist, you answer health-related questions, from inquiries about various drugs to methods of use. Some pharmacists also work in hospitals and research facilities. Pharmacists' careers have evolved from the historical focus on the distribution of medicines to an emphasis on safe and rational drug use. They provide a pharmaceutical service that revolves around preventative health care and monitoring medication use.
The provision of pharmaceutical care relies on understanding the characteristics of medications, from dosage formulations to the dispersal of drugs in the body. You should also understand drugs' interactions with the human body to determine their effects.
Personal attributes necessary for pharmacists include compassion and genuine care for patients. It is also important to be accurate to avoid administering the wrong medication.
Would working as a pharmacist suit your caring personality and interest in science? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a pharmacist role.
pharmacist jobsaverage pharmacist salary
According to National Careers, the median salary of pharmacists ranges from £32,305 to £45,838 per year. The salaries are based on the Agenda for Change pay structure for NHS pharmacists. Newly qualified pharmacists working for the NHS start at Band 6 with a salary range from £32,305 to £39,207 per year. As you improve your experience or complete further training in the field, you progress to Band 7, with earnings set at £40,057 to £45,838 annually.
When you move to senior-level positions, your compensation package ranges from £47,126 to £90,387 per year (Band 8a to 8d). Chief pharmacists receive a Band 9 salary of £93,735 to £108,075 annually.
what factors affect the salary of a pharmacist?
The compensation package of a pharmacist depends on their work setting. In large private hospitals, pharmacists receive a higher compensation package than NHS pharmacists. Senior-level pharmacists take home higher compensation packages due to their expertise. Having additional qualifications also improves your salary prospects.
types of pharmacists
Some of the types of pharmacists include:
- community pharmacists: you work in chemist shops and pharmacy counters in larger shops. Your job is to administer medications to patients based on their prescriptions. You also answer any questions they have about over-the-counter medication and explain the side effects. Sometimes, you also provide primary care like administering flu jabs.
- clinical pharmacists: you work in hospitals and other healthcare settings. You dispense medication and provide patient care. You may go on rounds with doctors and healthcare teams. Your job is to recommend the drugs to administer to patients and oversee the dosage and delivery times of the medications. You may also conduct some medical tests.
- academic pharmacists: you conduct research on medicines and publish articles on new types of drugs for various diseases. You also lecture trainee pharmacists and mentor them by supervising their practice.
working as a pharmacist
If you love science and medicine, being a pharmacist is an ideal career that allows you to help people. Read on for details on the tasks and responsibilities involved in the role.
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pharmacist job description
Some of the tasks of a pharmacist include:
- dispensing medicines: as a pharmacist, you receive prescriptions from doctors and administer medications to patients. You also dispense other drugs and advise patients on their prescriptions. For instance, you provide necessary information to help a patient understand what their medications do and instructions for taking them properly.
- working with physicians: when you work in a clinic or healthcare setting, you recommend medications to treat various conditions and discuss potential incompatibilities. You also supervise the administration and delivery times of the drugs to improve patients' wellbeing. A pharmacist reviews prescriptions from healthcare professionals and ensures no contraindications with other drugs the patient is taking or allergies.
- maintaining inventory of the medications: when you work in a chemist shop or a pharmacy counter in a large shop, you maintain an inventory of the medicines. You record the medicines you dispense throughout the day and ensure the shelves are stocked with essential drugs.
- advising patients on over-the-counter medications: you assist customers with minor ailments with finding the drugs they need. Some pharmacists assist with immunisations like giving patients flu jabs and other vaccinations.
- completing paperwork: as a pharmacist, you complete the paperwork after dispensing medications and keep track of the refill frequencies to ensure patients don't abuse drugs. You also manage payments for prescriptions where this is necessary.
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work environment
Pharmacists work in hospitals, retail stores or chemist shops and spend a lot of time indoors. In hospitals, you work alongside other health professionals and spend the day on your feet. When working at a chemist or pharmacy counter, you stand to serve customers, but you don't spend a long time on your feet. As a pharmacist, you wear a lab coat when serving customers and use gloves and masks when examining patients or administering treatment. When you work in community health centres, you work outdoors during outreach programmes. Since pharmacists are primary care health professionals, they provide medical services in person. Remote work and working from home are not possible.
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who are your colleagues?
As a pharmacist, your colleagues include general nurses, paediatricians and doctors. You might also work with clinical scientists and anaesthetists, as well as other specialists like pharmacologists, analytical chemists and medical sales representatives.
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work schedule
The work schedule of pharmacists depends on the employer. In hospitals, you are likely to work 12-hour shifts like other healthcare professionals in full-time roles. However, pharmacists in retail stores and chemist shops work the regular business hours unless it is a 24-hour chemist shop. You occasionally work weekends and public holidays. Some employers also offer flexible working arrangements and part-time positions.
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job outlook
Pharmacists have a structured career path, especially if they work for the NHS. For instance, a newly qualified pharmacist rotates various pharmaceutical roles, from community to clinical pharmacy or clinical trials. When you gain experience in rotational roles, you specialise in a preferred pharmacy practice like cardiology, paediatric care, or procurement and distribution. As your knowledge in the field advances, you progress to supervisory roles, and you could end up running a hospital. Some pharmacists become researchers or consultants, while others become lecturers.
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advantages of finding a pharmacist job through randstad
Finding your pharmacist job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a pharmacist is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
To become a pharmacist, you require the following educational qualifications:
- university course: pursue a master of pharmacy degree approved by the General Pharmaceutical Council to become a pharmacist. The entry requirements for the 4-year degree are 2 to 3 A levels, including chemistry. After the degree, you complete a pre-registration training course. If you don't meet the qualifications for the degree, you can complete a foundation degree that takes two years. When you complete the foundation degree, you can become a pharmacy assistant or technician and join the MPharm degree in its second year.
- work experience: when you complete your education, you can gain work experience through internships and entry-level roles. Becoming a pharmacy assistant gives you experience in the role.
pharmacist skills and competencies
Important skills for pharmacists include:
- accuracy: as a pharmacist, it is important to dispense proper medications for patients after reviewing their prescriptions. You also check their medical history to avoid potentially dangerous interactions. Attention to detail and a high level of accuracy help you provide patients with the correct medicines and appropriate methods of use.
- problem-solving skills: you assist patients in solving pharmaceutical challenges, such as identifying medication from damaged labels. Since you analyse how various medications interact with the human body, you help doctors find the best pharmaceutical solution. Problem-solving skills are useful in working out the best possible solutions.
- communication skills: you require exceptional communication skills to explain medical concepts to patients. Providing clear and concise information is important in ensuring patients don't misuse prescriptions.
FAQs
FAQs about working as a pharmacist
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what does a pharmacist do?
As a pharmacist, you handle and store various medicines. You review prescriptions and dispense the right dosage to patients. You also check patients' medical histories to ensure the drugs you administer don't cause dangerous interactions.
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is a pharmacist a doctor?
A pharmacist has a professional doctorate in pharmacy or PharmD, but they don't possess the same breadth or depth of knowledge as medical doctors. They work alongside doctors to provide medical recommendations post-diagnosis.
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do pharmacists make drugs?
Yes. Pharmacists are licenced to compound, prepare and dispense drugs and other medical therapies. Pharmacists in research facilities and the pharmaceutical industry are responsible for developing drugs. They study diseases and remedies and use chemical compounds to create medications.
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is a pharmacist a good career?
Being a pharmacist is a great career with promising job prospects. Pharmacists earn excellent salaries and enjoy flexible work arrangements. You can move to other professions in the medical field, like becoming a doctor or clinical researcher.
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how do I apply for a pharmacist vacancy?
Applying for a pharmacist job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
