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UK Pharmacy Jobs
As with most medical professions there is an increasing demand for trained and registered pharmacists. In the United Kingdom NHS (National Health Service) the largest employer in Europe, requires that all pharmacists have a degree in Pharmacy from one of 22 schools approved by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.
These programs all focus on four main features of pharmacy which include:
- Origin and chemistry of drugs
- Medicine preparation
- Actions and uses of drugs
- Pharmacy practice
The pharmacist is involved in several different actives, not just the actual development and filling of prescriptions, but also the counseling and monitoring of medications to patients as well as the ability to catch and possible errors or omissions made on the prescription. In smaller privately run pharmacies the pharmacist is often the store owner or manager and may be required to fulfill those job duties as well.
A pharmacist in a hospital setting can also be part of the treatment team, helping medical staff understand the various medications that could be used to help various patients and conditions. Often the pharmacist is aware of new medications and new uses of medications that doctors or nurses are not aware of.
An industrial pharmacist usually works for one of the drug manufactures or research companies. They are responsible for monitoring administration of test, preparing various medications and placebos and keeping constant quality control measures in place. They may also be required to correlate date and prepare reports to management teams or other individuals relating to the effects of a new drug on the market.
Those individuals that are interested in chemistry and possess a strong science background should consider a career in pharmacy. The hours of a community pharmacist are usually self-determined and senior hospital pharmacists usually work a fairly consistent day shift. Junior or beginning pharmacists in hospital settings may be required to work some weekend or evening shift until they have a level of seniority.
Career Prospects
Most pharmacists in the UK work either as hospital or community pharmacists. Other large companies and agencies such as the Armed Forces also have their own pharmacist just as they have their own medical staff. There are approximately 31, 000 active pharmacists that work in the UK and there is an increasing shortage in all areas, particularly smaller rural communities. Community pharmacists are usually self-employed and run their own businesses.
Hospital pharmacists usually start working for approximately £14,000 which increases to up to £ 22,000 per year when the requirements for registration have been met and the individual is registered with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. Once the pharmacists has some seniority and experience it is possible to make £40, 000 per year. Industrial pharmacists working for drug manufacturers often make over £60,000 per year.
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In addition to the actual pharmacists there are also pharmacy technicians employed by most community and hospital pharmacies. The pharmacy technician works closely with the pharmacist and may be involved in such duties as preparing medicines, monitoring quality control, record keeping, providing training to staff as well as supplying medicines and products to patients.
The pharmacy technician can also be involved in management of laboratories, pharmacies and staff within the pharmacy. Often inventory control and monitoring of medicines and medical ingredients is the responsibility of a pharmacy technician.
Individuals that wish to work in a pharmacy, whether it is in the community, hospital or other work area need to be very organized and meticulous. There is no room for error in this work, and quality and safety for patients is the first priority.
Pharmacists also have to be excellent at communicating to a variety of people the side effects and possible concerns with taking any kind of medicine. They work closely with doctors to provide feedback on patient progress and to suggest alternative prescriptions and medications that may be beneficial to the patient. The pharmacist and pharmacy technician are an important part of the patient’s health care team.
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