Here at Seven, we’re all about going the extra mile to help you achieve the most rewarding career possible, and today, we’re looking at what you can do to bag yourself the best pharmacist jobs.
From further study to being in the know about opportunities, here’s how you can get the most job satisfaction from your career in pharmacy.
The Basics of Being a Pharmacist
Of course, one should never prescribe before you can diagnose! To get the most out of your career you’re going to want to have the best start and that means first working on the basics.
Before you can register as a professional pharmacist, you’ll need to complete your MPharm Masters degree. To get onto the best courses at the top universities, you’ll need at least five GCSEs including – of course – at least one science, plus maths and English language.
You’ll then need at least three A Levels at grade A-B in chemistry, biology, and either maths or physics.
If you’ve left school without these qualifications, there’s no need to worry – most universities will also accept equivalent qualifications, such as foundation degrees, BTECS, HNDs, HNCs, NVQs, or accredited access courses. Just make sure to check what your desired university requires.
Once you’ve completed your degree, you’ll need to get a year’s supervised experience under your belt before completing your registration exam and registering with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
Taking Your Career Onwards and Upwards
Once you’re registered and working as a professional pharmacist, there’s plenty you can do to push your career to the next step. Here’s a list of our top tips:
- Further study – Pharmacists should always keep up-to-date with new treatments and research, but going the extra mile will always yield better results. The more training and qualifications you complete, the more varied (and higher paying) the roles you’ll be able to apply for. You can also join the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and avail yourself of their many professional development courses, seminars and conferences – great for networking and making sure you have the edge over other candidates.
- Self improvement – Pharmacists need to be organised, knowledgeable, empathetic, methodical and responsible, all while having excellent communication skills. If there are any areas of the profession you struggle in, taking time out for self-improvement will always stand you in good stead.
- Specialise – One way of moving up the career ladder is to specialise in one specific area. By choosing a speciality, you’ll give yourself a clear training path to follow, as well as marking yourself out as an expert in that area and increasing your employability.
- Manage – If you don’t want to specialise in one area, you could move into management instead. Becoming a pharmacy manager will give you more responsibilities and will help you move up to band 8 or 9 on the pay scale.
- Set up shop – Of course, instead of becoming a manager of an existing pharmacy branch, you could always run your own. Teaming up with other pharmacists or setting up on your own is a great way to have more control over your career as you’ll become a business owner as well as a pharmacist.
- Know where to look – Much of landing the best pharmacist jobs is knowing where to find them. If you’ve already browsed our jobs board and couldn’t find the role you’re looking for, it’s worth speaking to one of our specialist recruitment consultants on 0333 200 5424 or uploading your CV to register with us. Alternatively, make sure you regularly check NHS Trust websites in the areas you’d like to work, as pharmacist jobs will be advertised there too.
If you’d like to discuss your career as a pharmacist and how Seven Healthcare can help you find the opportunities you’re looking for – either permanent or locum – please get in touch today.
