Pharmacy

In this section we will cover advice on:

  • Personal Statement

  • Interviews

  • Alternative Pathways

Personal Statement

What to include in my medicine personal statement?

Here are some suggestions for work experiences:

  1. Community Pharmacy Work Experience:

    • Spend time working in a community pharmacy to understand the day-to-day operations.

    • Interact with pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and other staff to gain insights into their roles.

    • Observe patient-pharmacist interactions and learn about the importance of patient counselling.

  2. Hospital Pharmacy Placement:

    • Volunteer or work part-time in a hospital pharmacy to experience a different facet of pharmacy practice.

    • Gain exposure to the dispensing of medications, medication reconciliation, and collaboration with healthcare teams.

  3. Clinical or Research Opportunities:

    • Seek clinical placements to observe pharmacy practice in various healthcare settings.

    • Consider participating in research projects related to pharmaceutical sciences or clinical pharmacy.











  4. Patient Care Roles:

    • Work in roles that involve direct patient care, such as healthcare assistant or support worker, to develop communication and interpersonal skills.

    • Focus on experiences that highlight patient-centred care and empathy.

  5. Volunteer in Healthcare Organisations:

    • Volunteer in organisations that focus on health and well-being to demonstrate your commitment to community health.

    • Engage in health promotion activities or community outreach programs.

  6. Pharmacy Technician or Dispensing Assistant Roles:

    • Consider working as a pharmacy technician or dispensing assistant to gain hands-on experience in medication dispensing and management.

    • Learn about pharmaceutical regulations and procedures.

  7. Shadowing Pharmacists:

    • Arrange shadowing opportunities with pharmacists in different settings to gain diverse perspectives on the profession.

    • Reflect on these experiences in your personal statement.

  8. Health Education and Promotion:

    • Get involved in health education programs or initiatives that promote medication adherence and health literacy.

    • Showcase your commitment to educating patients on the proper use of medications.

Finding work experience can be difficult, check out our page on how to increase your chances of getting some!

How to reflect on work experience

Click here to see how to use the STARR approach. This is an effective technique you can use in your personal statement in order to make sure you reflect on your work experience heavily.

Understanding the GPhC's Nine Principles

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has established nine core principles that serve as the foundation for the pharmacy profession in the UK. It is essential to align your personal statement with these principles, showcasing your dedication to ethical pharmacy practice and patient welfare.

  • Within your personal statement, emphasise your comprehension and dedication to person-centred care, highlighting instances where you have prioritised individual patient needs, preferences, and values in your prior experiences. Illustrate your ability to tailor pharmaceutical interventions to meet the unique requirements of each patient.

  • Emphasise your collaborative spirit by showcasing instances where you have effectively worked with multidisciplinary teams or engaged in partnerships with colleagues and healthcare professionals. Highlight the significance of teamwork in delivering comprehensive and coordinated patient care.

  • Demonstrate your strong communication skills by providing examples of situations where you successfully communicated complex medical information to patients, caregivers, and fellow healthcare providers. Effective communication fosters understanding and trust, essential elements in the delivery of pharmaceutical care.

  • Underscore your commitment to continuous learning and development. Detail your academic achievements, relevant coursework, and any additional certifications or skills that showcase your dedication to staying abreast of advancements in the pharmaceutical field.

  • Illustrate your advocacy for patient safety by recounting instances where you identified and addressed concerns regarding medication management, potential adverse effects, or any other issues that may impact patient well-being.

  • Showcase your adherence to professional codes of conduct and ethical standards. Provide examples of situations where you demonstrated integrity, honesty, and a strong sense of responsibility in your interactions with patients, colleagues, and the broader healthcare community.

  • Highlight your ability to make informed and ethical decisions in challenging situations. Narrate experiences where you exercised sound professional judgment, balancing clinical expertise with patient values and preferences.

  • Emphasise the importance of maintaining patient confidentiality and privacy. Discuss instances where you upheld these principles in your previous experiences and underscore your commitment to safeguarding sensitive information.

  • Showcase your leadership potential by detailing experiences where you took initiative, assumed responsibilities, or played a key role in guiding a team toward a common goal. Leadership skills are vital in advancing pharmacy practice and driving positive change within the profession.

Why not consider pursuing a job in pharmacy?

Employment within a pharmacy not only strengthens your application but also enriches your skills once you become a qualified pharmacist. Numerous university students studying pharmacy opt to work in pharmacies to accumulate valuable experience. Taking this step now positions you more advantageously in the future. Furthermore, engaging in such roles contributes to obtaining NVQ qualifications, enhancing your employability. It is also a noteworthy addition to include on your university application, setting you apart with an additional qualification that not everyone may possess.

Jobs available to you in sixth form

  • Pharmacy assistants play a pivotal role in the efficient functioning of a pharmacy, supporting both customers and pharmacists. Their responsibilities encompass customer service, prescription processing, and inventory management. With a keen eye for detail, they process prescription orders, manage medication inventory, and ensure compliance with regulations. Pharmacy assistants also engage in cash handling, and offering basic health education. Additionally, they assist in administrative tasks, maintain cleanliness in the pharmacy, and collaborate with pharmacists to enhance workflow.

    Necessary Qualifications: Typically, there are no strict entry requirements, but it is generally advisable to have excelled in core subjects, like GCSE English/Maths.

  • Dispensing assistants in pharmacies are integral to the medication distribution process, working under pharmacist supervision. Their duties encompass accurate dispensing and packaging of medications, ensuring proper labeling and dosage information. These professionals manage pharmacy inventory, maintain precise records, and collaborate with pharmacists to address any concerns. Dispensing assistants interact with customers, providing information on medications, while adhering to regulatory standards. Their role involves processing prescriptions, maintaining cleanliness in the dispensing area, and upholding stringent quality control measures to guarantee the safe and efficient delivery of medications to patients.

    Necessary qualifications: Becoming a Dispensing Assistant typically involves on-the-job training, taking several months, with the potential for a Level 2 NVQ qualification.

  • Role Description: A pharmacy technician is a healthcare professional who supports pharmacy operations under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Their duties include dispensing medications, processing prescriptions, managing inventory, providing customer service, and performing administrative tasks. Additionally, they may be involved in tasks like compounding medications or documenting medication histories. Pharmacy technicians often also have the opportunity to go into clinical work and host clinic such as a travel vaccination clinic or a blood pressure monitoring clinic.

    Necessary Qualifications: Typically, a Level 3 NVQ qualification or a pharmacy technician training program, which can take around two years. Specific requirements may vary, making it a versatile route for those pursuing a career. You may also undergo additional training to become a ACPT (Accuracy Checking Pharmacy Technician) to perform final checks on prescriptions.

Should I read any books?

Opting for reading can serve as a valuable substitute for gaining work experience, although it may require a considerable amount of time. Alternatively, we suggest engaging in research on a topic or drug that piques your interest. For instance, you might explore the effects of grapefruits when consumed alongside cholesterol tablets, such as statins.

Useful links

Standards for pharmacy professionals 2017

BBC News - Health (for research)

BNF (use this to look up drugs on interest)

Interviews

You’ve sent in your UCAS application. What now? We’ll for pharmacy you will have to sit an interview in order to get onto the course.

What to expect:

  • you might be asked to sit a numeracy test in order to shortlist you for your interviews. You could also be asked numeracy questions during your interview.

  • you could be asked about your work experience or what you know about pharmacy already.


What we offer:

The resources available for pharmacy are scarce. For this reason we decided to create resources to cover all you need to know for your pharmacy interviews! We offer:

  • a comprehensive question bank

  • numeracy tests

  • a pharmacy interview preparation course

  • mock interviews

  • blogs to support you with wider reading. Click here to see our latest ones.

Alternative Pathways

Interested in becoming a pharmacist / equivalent?

If you're not keen on the university path and want to boost your chances of entering pharmacy, you might consider taking the apprenticeship route for Pharmacy. Explore each role below to learn about them and how to proceed.

  • Pharmacy assistants play a pivotal role in the efficient functioning of a pharmacy, supporting both customers and pharmacists. Their responsibilities encompass customer service, prescription processing, and inventory management. With a keen eye for detail, they process prescription orders, manage medication inventory, and ensure compliance with regulations. Pharmacy assistants also engage in cash handling, and offering basic health education. Additionally, they assist in administrative tasks, maintain cleanliness in the pharmacy, and collaborate with pharmacists to enhance workflow.

    Necessary Qualifications: Typically, there are no strict entry requirements, but it is generally advisable to have excelled in core subjects, like GCSE English/Maths.

  • Dispensing assistants in pharmacies are integral to the medication distribution process, working under pharmacist supervision. Their duties encompass accurate dispensing and packaging of medications, ensuring proper labeling and dosage information. These professionals manage pharmacy inventory, maintain precise records, and collaborate with pharmacists to address any concerns. Dispensing assistants interact with customers, providing information on medications, while adhering to regulatory standards. Their role involves processing prescriptions, maintaining cleanliness in the dispensing area, and upholding stringent quality control measures to guarantee the safe and efficient delivery of medications to patients.

    Necessary qualifications: Becoming a Dispensing Assistant typically involves on-the-job training, taking several months, with the potential for a Level 2 NVQ qualification.

  • Role Description: A pharmacy technician is a healthcare professional who supports pharmacy operations under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Their duties include dispensing medications, processing prescriptions, managing inventory, providing customer service, and performing administrative tasks. Additionally, they may be involved in tasks like compounding medications or documenting medication histories. Pharmacy technicians often also have the opportunity to go into clinical work and host clinic such as a travel vaccination clinic or a blood pressure monitoring clinic.

    Necessary Qualifications: Typically, a Level 3 NVQ qualification or a pharmacy technician training program, which can take around two years. Specific requirements may vary, making it a versatile route for those pursuing a career. You may also undergo additional training to become a ACPT (Accuracy Checking Pharmacy Technician) to perform final checks on prescriptions.

What to consider before I apply?

Work Environment:

  • Understand the type of pharmacy you are applying to (community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, etc.). Each setting has its own dynamics, responsibilities, and work environment.

  • Research the specific pharmacy or healthcare organisation to gain insights into their values, practices, and patient population.

Legal and Ethical Responsibilities:

  • Familiarise yourself with the legal and ethical responsibilities of a pharmacist in the UK. This includes understanding the laws and regulations surrounding the dispensing of medications, patient confidentiality, and other relevant aspects.

  • Stay updated on any changes or updates to pharmacy regulations in the UK.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD):

Recognise the importance of ongoing professional development. Pharmacists in the UK are required to engage in CPD to maintain and enhance their knowledge and skills. Be prepared to commit to continuing education and staying informed about advancements in pharmacy practice.

Communication and Teamwork:

  • Effective communication is crucial in any healthcare setting. Workers often work closely with other healthcare professionals, such as doctors and nurses. Good communication skills are critical for collaboration and best ensuring patient safety.

  • Be prepared to work as part of a team, as well as being able to support the team at all times if necessary.

  • Pharmacies are often busy environments, and effective teamwork is essential for providing quality patient care.

What type of pharmacy should I apply to?

If you are in full time education:

  • Working in a community pharmacy is advisable, also known as retail pharmacies, it provides a range of healthcare services and dispense prescription medications to patients.

  • If you enjoy interacting with the public, providing patient counselling, and working in a customer-facing role, a community pharmacy might be a good fit for you.

  • Community pharmacies tend to have flexible working hours with many part time jobs available, making it convenient for anyone looking for relevant work-experience to suit their healthcare career, and earn some money to assist with their studies

    Otherwise:

    Hospital Pharmacies:

    • Description: Hospital pharmacies are located within healthcare institutions. Technicians and dispensers in hospital settings work closely with medical staff to ensure the safe and effective use of medications for all patients.

    • Suitability: If you have an interest in a more clinical setting, collaborating with healthcare professionals, and working with a diverse patient population, hospital pharmacy could be suitable.

    Industrial or Pharmaceutical Industry:

    • Description: Pharmacy technicians in the pharmaceutical industry work in areas such as drug development, manufacturing, quality control, and regulatory affairs.

    • Suitability: If you are interested in the research and development of pharmaceuticals, quality assurance, or regulatory compliance, a position in the pharmaceutical industry might be in

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