Struggling to find the info I need - NVQ Pharmacy services OR MPharm Degree in SW UK.

[Puddlez]

Heya All,

I've had a good look around the forum for some help and advice on what I'm looking for but to no avail.

Basically I'm 21, I live in the southwest UK, Ivybridge near Plymouth to be exact, and the nearest place I can find the MPharm degree course is Bath which is just way to far to travel and so would involve moving which unfortunalty just isnt possible. I can't seem to find anything about doing it from home like distance or online learning.

Also I was looking into starting at the bottom and working as a dispensing assistant or pharmacy technician but everywhere I look for these jobs say they need NVQ 2/3 in Pharmacy Services, But where I find somewhere to study these qualifications say I need to be in a work placement to do them, so its a bit of a catch 22, loose/loose situation.

Does anyone have any words of advice for me and how I can get into this? As after 4 years of working various small entry level jobs and not really knowing what I want to do, I've finally realised I would love to work in Pharmacy, but I seem to hit a brick wall everytime I think I'm getting close to sorting it out.

If anyone has any info for me it would be hugely appreciated. And also if anyone in my area knows of any pharmacys willing to take on a trainee and train me in nvq or such like please please let me know!

Thanks in advance.

Meg.

[razorbladekisses]

You could always start as a counter assistant and work your way up from there. Boots advertise their jobs online so it might be worth a look.

[roper]

Technicians are generally trained on a day release system or sometimes distance learning (as you have found) so you need a job 1st. Some technicians in hospital get good pay but progressing from technician to pharmacist means going back to full time education to do MPharm degree. If you want the MPharm then you are best to start with it (assuming you have relevant A levels or equivalent to access the course). If you accept the need to move then ther are places to study which would be cheaper to live in than Bath! Financing yourself through a 4 year degree is a big expense. The NVQ would be done at an employer's expense. Decide what you are aiming at and look for either a course or a job with prospect of training in future.

[dizzyb23]

Hi Meg and welcome

There are a few things you can do. But Pharmacy is one of the subjects that is very difficult to study online/distance learning. There's tons of info on the net relating to Pharmacy that willl help you with the knowledge part but you really need to be in a job in a pharmacy to gain qualifications.
Most pharmacies (small/medium/large chains/hospitals) do advertise in local papers for posts such as assistants, dispensers, pharmacy techs. Also, look online and physically walk around the pharmacies in your area as they may advertise in their windows or even walk in and ask!!!
I did a CV drop a couple of years ago after I returned from working in NZ and this is how I managed to get my current position.

If you get a position as a sales or counter assistant in a large chain like Boots or Lloyds, they will encourage you to complete their training courses to move up the ladder. We have a sales assistant who has just passed her HCA and is now training as a dispenser. I think the smaller chains also encourage you to do the NVQ 2 and 3.

All this does take a little while but I think the experience you gain along the way really helps.

If there is anything else you need to know, just ask.....good luck

[johnep]

I asked the dispenser where she had worked before, 'Woolies' was the reply, ie no experience in pharmacy before came to work in one.
johnep

[bobbin]

...no experience in pharmacy before came to work in one.
johnep

Can't really get experience except by working in one! It's funny how many advertised jobs claim that you MUST have 'experience'. Not sure how anyone is supposed to get experience in the first place.

[Puddlez]

Can't really get experience except by working in one! It's funny how many advertised jobs claim that you MUST have 'experience'. Not sure how anyone is supposed to get experience in the first place.

Exactly.

Thank you for the replys some very useful info there.

I think I have found my route but I'd like to know what you think...

Im currently due to start work on bank as a care support worker in a hospital (have worked in another hospital before which reslly pushed me towards pharmacy) and being bank is great as I pick my shifts... I've found NVQ courses to enrol onto but you have to be employed by a pharmacy to enrol. I would go into all my local pharmacys and write letters to managers if needed to discuss working voluntary one day a week as an assistant if they will enrol me on the nvq if i pay for it. This will enable me to gain experience and study at the same time whilst still working my care support job to pay the bills.

I've never wanted to do a degree, anything to avoid a degree is ideal to me as not only do they cost the earth but if they only provide the courses so far from me its just not possible with my personal situation. I'd love to be a pharmacy technician specialist and as far as i have read up about you can work you way up throughout the company you're with, without the need for a degree. if in the future a degree closer to come comes up then id probably go for it.

Thanks again

[dizzyb23]

Glad we've helped a bit Meg. It can be so difficult getting into the right career.

The only thing I would say about your plans is the "voluntary" working. Of course it's so easy for me to say but I don't think that's the best idea. There must be many pharmacies around your general area and they will all need support staff. Maybe spend a few hours looking around a community pharmacy to see what happens but working voluntary a day a week still won't get you through the qualifications. And the NVQ's are really expensive. It may mean waiting a while till a suitable position becomes available and working somewhere else for now but I believe it will be worth it.

[johnep]

So, you are content to be on minimum wage then.
johnep

[dizzyb23]

So, you are content to be on minimum wage then.
johnep

That's a good point. We are not well paid.....especially for the job that we do.

Meg is there no way you can go for the degree??