General Advice on Course to Pursue

[Musiclover]

Hi. I am currently unemployed and of what is termed 'mature years' living in a Lincolnshire village. I would like to change my career direction and to that extent undertake a course in Pharmacy Services. There are generally pharmacy jobs advertised in the region but a pharmacy qualification is usually required. To date I have generally performed admin work although I did once work for a couple of years for a pharmaceutical wholesaler. As time is not on my side I was considering undertaking the NVQ3 and hoping that the fact I was studying it would help me obtain a job at 'ground floor level' which would help me obtain any practical experience required. I have two questions if someone could assist, please:
Does one need to be actively employed in this sector to enrol for a relevant NVQ?
Which course provider would anyone recommend? [I think online learning would be best for me due to my geographical location]
I would greatly appreciate any help with this. Many thanks.

[Pharmanaut]

Hi. I am currently unemployed and of what is termed 'mature years' living in a Lincolnshire village. I would like to change my career direction and to that extent undertake a course in Pharmacy Services. There are generally pharmacy jobs advertised in the region but a pharmacy qualification is usually required. To date I have generally performed admin work although I did once work for a couple of years for a pharmaceutical wholesaler. As time is not on my side I was considering undertaking the NVQ3 and hoping that the fact I was studying it would help me obtain a job at 'ground floor level' which would help me obtain any practical experience required. I have two questions if someone could assist, please:
Does one need to be actively employed in this sector to enrol for a relevant NVQ?
Which course provider would anyone recommend? [I think online learning would be best for me due to my geographical location]
I would greatly appreciate any help with this. Many thanks.

As I understand it...
The pharmacy NVQ needs to be done when you are in position in a pharmacy.

[tinx25388]

I cant remember what course it was, but a former colleague of mine did a distance learning course before she got a job with us, but as she didnt have the practical experience to go with it, she ended up back working on the Medicines Counter and pretty much had to start from scratch. The company then paid for her to do the Dispensary Assistants Course (NVQ 2) and she left before she had got very far with it.

Whilst it is not essential, the NVQ is easier if you have previously done a Medicines Counter Assistants Course first (there is a whole Unit based upon it) These courses can only be done whilst in a job, so I would strongly recommend (if you are looking to work in the Community Sector- I know nothing about the Hospital Sector) looking for a job as a Medicine Counter Assistant, in a company where you can then progress towards Pharmacy Technician.

[Pharmanaut]

One thing is for sure - it won't come to you.
Don't wait for advertised positions - put the word out with all your local pharmacies.

[Musiclover]

Thank you Pharmanaut and tinx25388 for your postings. I think I could be in a catch 22 situation. I have applied for a couple of pharmacy assistant posts but in each case NVQ qualifications were preferred and I never even got an interview. As a more mature person I doubt if someone is going to offer to pay for my training and if I cannot undertake training unless I am in relevant employment it doesn't look too promising for me. I appreciate the fact that you have taken the time to respond to my query.

[tinx25388]

A colleague of mine, who is in her late 50's, started as a Counter Assistant early last year, she has since done her Medicine Counter Assistants and Dispensary Assistants course and will be starting an NVQ 3 in January - so its never too late!

Rather than applying for Pharmacy Assistant, try applying for sales assistant in a Pharmacy, and show willing to learn and an interest in the Pharmacy side of things.
I started as a Saturday Sales Assistant!

[johnep]

Unfortunately, mature ladies will always be more acceptable to pharmacy employers than mature men.
Only ever met one mature man who was a professional violinist who was 'resting' owing to the ending of orchestras in restaurants.
Yes, my wife and I would enjoy a baked potato in a Lyons corner house and listen to the orchestra. In 1953 on the night of the floods, I was in Garons Southend with my friend enjoying a steak and they also had an orchestra.
johnep

[Musiclover]

Thanks tinx. You've given me a better idea of how I should approach this.

[friendlyfigure]

Not sure about in your area, but where I live the college (which is also attached to a university school of pharmacy) offer a course for becoming a dispensing assistant which I think is full-time.

Good luck!

[Musiclover]

Thank you friendlyfigure for the info.