Career change to hospital pharmacy technician?

[Jonesy29]

Hi all,

Have been browsing around the forum, very interesting. I'm seriously thinking of (hopefully!) changing career and looking to become a hospital pharmacy technician - assuming of course I can get a trainee/student job!

Couple of questions:

1.) Technicians in hospitals look to have an increasing role, getting involved in stuff outside the dispensary etc - is this a fair assesment? Is being a technician a role where one can progress and develop (over time and with experience of course!)

2.) I have a degree- would this be a point against me? As I have seen some indication that people may be seen as overqualified, even when they are interested in the role and it is something they think they would enjoy. (As an aside my degree in Chemistry from a reasonable uni, so some use hopefully - I have never worked in science, worked in admin etc since graduated 8 yrs or so ago)

3.) Is there much scope for practical work as a pharmacy tech, as that was the thing I really enjoyed at college and uni, doing some hands on lab work. I think the aseptics side is the most hands on?

4.) Is it hard to get a student tech job without having any pharmacy experience? Does working in retail before hand help?

Any other help/advice would be great. Thanks for reading!

Cheers

[dizzyb23]

Hi
Hospital Techs have more avenues open to them. And the pay is much better. You can earn more as a student tech than you do as an experienced/registered and qualified tech in community pharmacy but I do understand that not everyone is after a job just for the money. Job satisfaction needs to be considered and in my humble opinion, you will get both as a hospital tech.
Not sure about the degree thing being a negative. I'm currently working with an overseas qualified facial reconstruction surgeon who is also an ACT. And he is in huge demand as a locum Tech. So, I don't think having a degree is a negative thing if you are looking to change careers and start a fresh in another area.
Not 100% sure about the practical side other than working as an Aseptic/production Tech. This sounds like something you could enjoy. There's loads of jobs out there for Aseptic Techs.
As for looking for a student tech job, they seem to start advertising for NHS places around July/August/September of each year but I have seen these positions advertised at other times. Go on the NHS jobs website and register for an account with them. You'll find tons of decent jobs advertised. I have known many new techs who had very little previous pharmacy experience and they have made wonderful students and colleagues. I think it's all about the right attitude and work ethic. And being very enthusiastic too. Is there a way you could perhaps get a temp pharmacy job somewhere in the meantime or is this not an option?? Most people do the Saturday girl/boy to Pharmacy Tech thing but it does take a while. Was also wondering why not go for a student Pharmacist course at a nice uni?? Is this maybe an option for you???

Anyway, hope all this rambling helps. Good luck

[crit care]

from what i ahve seen, student techs (apprentices where i work) get paid very little...think its something like just short of £100 per week!! but then they progress to technicians and can work the way up the ladder to band 7 within NHS..although takes a while....

i guess if it interests you, go for it

[Nik]

As dizzy has said there are numerous avenues available as a hospital tech, not just dispensary based but also ward based, working in admissions assessing pt's own medication, being part of the whole discharge process.