What comes to mind when you think of

What comes to mind when you think of a pharmacist? What does their job involve?

What do Pharmacists do? • Pharmacists are experts in medicines and as one of the fastest growing areas of healthcare play a key role in improving the health of the nation, and ensuring patient safety. • They work in a number of different settings: – develop new medicines; – supply medicines; – provide advice about medicines; – offer health services. • Pharmacists also work in other roles where there may be less direct contact with patients, for example in universities, regulation, government organisations, research, publishing and the pharmaceutical industry.

What are the pros and cons? Pros Cons üJob security ûCompetitive üFlexible working ûLong hours in certain sectors and evening/weekend shifts üExcellent rewards üTransferable skills üVariety üOpportunities in new roles/settings üOpportunities to specialise ûPhysically demanding in certain sectors

Where can I work? Community Pharmacy Academic Pharmacy Hospital Pharmacy Industrial Pharmacy • Veterinary Pharmacy • Military Pharmacists • Regulatory Affairs • Care Homes Primary Care Pharmacy • Prisons • Portfolio Careers

What qualifications do I need? • You need basic literacy and numeracy skills • GCSEs in English language, mathematics and science. • A/S and A-levels (Highers in Scotland) in chemistry and two of biology / mathematics / physics • You may also be considered with chemistry and one of biology / mathematics / physics (and one other subject). • Approximately one third of students admitted to Schools of Pharmacy have other qualifications.

What training do I need to complete? • You must take a four-year Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) degree course followed by the successful completion of a year of preregistration training • At the end of preregistration training, you must pass the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPh. C) registration exam after which you will be able to register and practise as a pharmacist. – Pharmacists must renew their registration on an annual basis in order to be able to continue to work as a pharmacists. • UK School of Pharmacy can be found at:

What next? 1) Choose the right subjects 2) Speak to your careers advisor or careers teacher at your school or college 3) Look at the websites of the Schools of Pharmacy 4) Get some work experience 5) Get more advice from pharmacists 6) Visit the NHS Careers website 7) Find out what student life is like

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