Pharmacy support worker
Help people use medicines safely while supporting pharmacists and phramacy technicians in different healthcare settings.
Also known as: dispensing assistant, pharmacy assistant
About the job
Career insights – Pharmacy support worker
What it's like
Pharmacy support workers have a key role in a phramacy team that works to improve people's health!
In this role, you'll support the safe supply and use of medicines. Working alongside pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, you'll help patients receive the right medicines and advice.
As well as working in your local community pharmacy, you could also be based in hospitals, distribution centres, GP practices and primary care services, care homes, prisons, medicine manufacturers and medicine distribution centres.
This job can be the first step towards a rewarding pharmacy career. With further training, knowledge and experience, you could progress to a senior pharmacy support worker or apply for trainee pharmacy technician roles.
Your tasks might include:
preparing, labelling and supplying medicines
ordering, receiving and maintaining medicine stock
using pharmacy computer systems to manage medicines and patient information
speaking with patients and healthcare professionals, such as pharmacists, about prescriptions and routine enquiries
supporting prescribing teams in GP practices with administrative and non-clinical medication review work
delivering medicines to wards and supporting patient discharge processes if you work in a hospital
Your daily tasks may be entirely different, depending on which setting you work in.
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
NHS Scotland Careers – learn more about how to become a pharmacy support worker
Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Retail Healthcare
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- reliable
- ethical
- building relationships
- cooperating
- empathising
- working with technology
- sorting
- verbal communication
- respecting
- attention to detail
Things you should know
Meet Thomas
Pharmacy support worker at NHS Lothian
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Biology
Chemistry
Skills for Work: Retailing
Maths (Mathematics)
Skills for Work: Health Sector
English
Employers usually expect you to have a good general education. This includes school qualifications in English and Maths. Some employers may also ask for a Science-based qualification.
Once you start working, you’ll receive full on-the-job training. This may include Induction Standards for Healthcare Support Workers and a formal qualification, such as an SVQ in Pharmacy Services at SCQF Level 6.
Use the My World of Work job search to find vacancies near you.
Apprenticeships
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) mean you learn on the job. You get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time. You might want to consider an MA in Pharmacy Services.
You can build the skills and experience you need to become a pharmacy support worker by volunteering in a healthcare role. Search for opportunities on Volunteer Scotland.
An in-person work placement with NHS Scotland is also a great way to gain valuable healthcare experience.
Pharmacy support workers handle people’s personal and medical information, so you must always act professionally.
