Pharmacist

As a pharmacist you could:

• dispense medicines in a pharmacy, hospital or GP practice
•  give advice about prescriptions, drug dosages, risks and how to use and store medication
•  run screening programmes and buy, test and distribute medicines in a hospital
•  manage stock and supervise and train staff like junior pharmacists
•  do research into new medicines or run clinical trials

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• sensitivity and understanding
• customer service skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• maths knowledge
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to read English
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You can get into this job through a university course.

With experience you could:

• progress to team manager, regional or national manager or become a pharmacy consultant
•  work in a GP practice, health centre or set up your own community pharmacy business
•  work as a pharmacist in the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy or Army
•  move into teaching, scientific journalism or publishing
•  do a postgraduate qualification in a subject like toxicology or pharmacology and move into research

You can find more information about developing your career in pharmacy from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.