Help with achieving a placement as a trainee pharmacy technician

[Rosie Lowe]

I would greatly appreciate any help and knowledge anyone has to offer.


I have recently graduated with a 2:1 in biology and would be greatful for some advice regarding my career. I would love to become a pharmacy technician but am a bit uncertain about the qualifications needed. I have had no experience in a pharmacy before but would love the opportuity to either work in a hospital pharmacy or a community based pharmacy. I would love some advice as to what to do next.

I understand that I need to try to find a employment as a Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician. Is this correct? Also do you get trained for certain qualifications as you continue to work?

thankyouuuuu

[johnep]

Oh so you now need a degree to achieve the minimum wage/
johnep

[judiloe]

I would train for something other than a technician if you want a living wage!I have just passed nvq3 and boss says I will not get a pay rise,I currently get about 8.12 an hour.

[sparkybw]

Oh so you now need a degree to achieve the minimum wage/
johnep

It helps!

13 out of 14 people on my course have degrees ranging from fashion to physio. And I've noticed that for this year's intake they have increased the GCSE requirement from maths/english/science A-C to A/B to cut down on the number of applicants. So you are getting grade inflation as well.

You may be too late for this year but if you subscribe to the NHS Jobs website and get emails regarding pharm tech training and jobs you should be able to apply from about March next year. In the meantime I would definitely suggest getting some work experience in a pharmacy, or any other shop, as being used to customer service and the till can only help with your application. Most retail organisations will be recruiting for Christmas staff now.

You may also be young enough to get an apprenticehip but they start in September. There may still be places on those schemes for this year but you would need to get your skates on. The college classes begin in September so there isn't a lot of time left to apply.

[johnep]

Well at least you will never have to repay your student loan. However, make an error and you could easily get a criminal record.
johnep

[Racer]

Well at least you will never have to repay your student loan. However, make an error and you could easily get a criminal record.
johnep

I don't know thats quite right about the loan. My daughter is a senior tech and earns getting on for £30k pa

[sparkybw]

Well at least you will never have to repay your student loan. However, make an error and you could easily get a criminal record.
johnep

Erm! Excuse me, but I'm having £1 per month deducted from my wages by the Inland Revenue to pay off my student loan! Of course it is going up by more than £1 per month but whatever!

[johnep]

'earns getting on for £30k pa'
In hospital yes, would be very surprised to hear a community technician earning anything like this.
johnep