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Pharmacy
If you're passionate about helping others, have a strong interest in Biology and Chemistry, a career in hospital pharmacy could be the perfect fit for you!
Pharmacy teams play a crucial role in hospitals by ensuring the safe and effective use of medications - advising staff and, supporting patients on how to take their medicines.
In this dynamic role, you'll do more than just dispense prescriptions—you’ll be part of a multidisciplinary team working closely with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to provide safe, effective treatment.
As a hospital pharmacist, you’ll:
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Dispense medications safely and accurately
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Advise patients on how to take their medicine and manage their conditions
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Monitor treatments, reviewing prescriptions and test results to ensure safety
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Manage stock and budgets, helping to keep hospital pharmacy services running smoothly
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Research new medicines, contributing to clinical trials and innovation
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Train junior pharmacists, sharing your knowledge and expertise
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Write essential guidelines to improve patient safety
You'll also take part in ward rounds, help patients make lifestyle changes, and work to reduce medicine-related hospital admissions. Whether you're just starting your career or looking to specialise, hospital pharmacy offers a rewarding and varied career path with plenty of opportunities to grow.
Pharmacy Assistant
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Pharmacy assistants work as part of the pharmacy team to support the ordering, preparation and dispensing of medicines.
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Pharmacy assistants may also be employed to work in pharmacy stores where they support the receipt and management of stock and the distribution and replenishment of medical supplies to the various wards and departments within the hospital.
Pharmacy Technician
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Pharmacy technicians are essential team members who help patients get the most from their medicines. They support patient services, manage clinical trials, assist in manufacturing, and provide education and training to the wider team.
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To work as a pharmacy technician, you must register with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). This requires completing a GPhC-approved Level 3 apprenticeship, which includes two years of training while working in a pharmacy.
Accuracy Checking Pharmacy Technician
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An ACPT pharmacy technician is a specialised role within the field of pharmacy that involves conducting accuracy checks on dispensed medications.
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ACPTs have the authority to perform final accuracy checks on dispensed prescriptions and help to enhance patient safety by providing an additional layer of verification before medications are given to patients.
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To become an ACPT you may need to undergo additional training and certification, however, more recently, the ACPT accreditation has been incorporated into the student technician course.
Pharmacists
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When starting a hospital pharmacy career, you may begin in a rotational post, gaining experience across clinical specialties, manufacturing, and medicines information.
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You can then choose to specialise in a therapeutic area, move into management, or take on teaching roles.
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To become a pharmacist, you must complete a four-year MPharm degree, followed by a foundation training year. After this, you can register with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and practice legally.
