As a pharmacy student am I experienced enough to be a dispenser?

[Mafff21]

I'm a third year pharmacy student, currently looking for a job in a pharmacy, and was considering applying to a boots dispenser/accuracy checking technician position online. I have friends who work in dispensaries who have told me that there is some sort of loophole with pharmacy students that they dont need to train to be a dispenser as they are already experienced enough..Is this true?
Or would it be a waste of time for me to apply?
Thanks

[Sir_Dispensalot]

yes you are able to work in a dispensary as a pharmacy student. I've met a few students who were lucky enough to get a part time job working in a pharmacy whilst on their degree course. Hopefully an employer won't be too bothered that they'll only have you working for them until you get your degree - especially the larger chains as they can try to get you into their pre-reg or newly qualified programmes.

[LeftArm]

As a pharmacy student am I experienced enough to be a dispenser?

Experienced is probably not the right word though. A technician with an two year NVQ who has been working in a pharmacy during their training will have more experience.

[Pharmanaut]

a boots dispenser/accuracy checking technician position online.

Is this an online application to be a dispenser/checking technician or an application to be an online dispenser/checking technician; ie related to remote dispensing?

[electra316]

You are legally allowed to work in the dispensary if you are currently studying for the MPharm, I think most places will try and pay you as a dispensing assistant as there are registration rules now in place for technicians.

I'm working this summer as a relief dispenser for one of the multiples and the only paper qualification I have in pharmacy is the counter assistants course- Ive just finished the second year of the MPharm.

Good luck!

[shan]

You get "experience" when you do a certain job for over a period of time. The fact that you are a pharmacy student can only get you a step closer to getting a position as a dispenser compared to any non pharmacy-background applicants, other than that the word experience is usless in this context. Any role involving word "technician" in a pharmacy environment, requires certain qualification to be acheived like NVQ 2/3.

Cheeeeeerrrrrrssss

Shan

[johnep]

I worked as a Saturday boy while studying A levels. Was not allowed in the dispensary until started apprenticeship.
johnep

[shonap87]

I think your second year certifcate counts as equivalent to the dispenser course. I think I remember being told that when we did the dispensing module in second year.

Mind you, I applied for counter assistant jobs throughout my course and never got even one of those.

[sleather1]

My course we did dispensing in second week of first year. Going into third year now and the multiple haven't given me title of dispenser. Graded as a sales assistant but depending on who's the RP if they're not a locum then they let me do the dispensing. Not getting paid any extra for it though, but I just do it for the experience

[Nik]

Why do you expect to be as qualified as a registered technician ? The dispensing element of the pharmacy degree varies massively across the current courses offered. In my first year we had extemp dispensing teaching and then an introduction to "normal" dispensing. Then we had our main dispensing teaching again in our 3rd year. However some uni's may not teach this until 2nd year and others may teach all of their dispensing in the first 2 years. Dispensing and pharmacy practice teaching also rarely covers the boring bits like stock control. Of course there's nothing stopping you from getting that experience if a pharmacist is willing to teach you during your job.