Pharmacy


Pharmacist role

Taken from : https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/pharmacy Accessed 2021

Medicines are the most common form of treatment in the NHS and pharmacies are where medicines are stored, prepared and dispensed. Pharmacies can be found in hospitals and the community, in health centres and GP surgeries and in high street shops and supermarkets.  

Medicines are the most common treatments offered to NHS patients. A pharmacist is an expert in medicines and their use. Their knowledge of medicines and the effect they have on the human body is critical for the successful management of every type of medical condition.

Pharmacists:

Pharmacists are also involved in manufacturing medicines when ready-made preparations are not available. For example, certain cancer treatments and intravenous feeding solutions need to be tailor made under sterile conditions for individual patients.

Pharmacists work as part of healthcare teams in hospitals or community pharmacies. Some work in retail pharmacies in supermarkets or on the high street, or for other employers that provide NHS services. Community pharmacists are based in health centres or pharmacies but they may spend time visiting patients at home or in residential homes.

Pharmacists may also supervise pharmacy technician and pharmacy assistants in purchasing, quality testing or dispensing medicines.

Entry Requirements 

To practise as a pharmacist, you have to be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). To register, you need to study for an accredited Masters degree in pharmacy (MPharm). Universities across the UK offer the course, which lasts four years, full time.

To get onto a Master's course in pharmacy you need three A-B grade A-levels in chemistry and biology, maths or physics along with five GCSEs (grades 9-4/A-C), including English language, maths and at least one science.

Or you could use alternative qualifications, including:

However, each institution sets its own entry requirements, so it’s important to check carefully. Wherever you study, you will need to show that you have an understanding of pharmacy and how it benefits patients. It is a good idea to spend some time with a registered pharmacist to see what the work is like.

After university, to become a fully qualified pharmacist you'll need to:

How to prepare for your interview

Check the information provided from the University when you were invited to interview what do you need to take with you? What type of interviews will you be undertaking? 1 to 1/ group?

Be on time! Make sure you know where you need to be and how to get there with plenty of time to spare.

Bring all documentation they have asked you to take with you. 

Dress appropriately - remember, this is an interview for a professional course.

Re-read your application form and personal statement as they will ask you to elaborate on it.

Be clear about why you want to be a pharmacist.

Be ready to answer questions about the profession – brief yourself on current issues. Check current news related to the profession you are hoping to go into. 

Be ready to answer questions about the course.

Be ready to answer questions about the University – have you been to an Open Day; why do you want to study here; how will you fit in?

Be yourself! Be confident ! Good luck! 

Subject specific pharmacy university interview questions

Pharmacy is part exact science, with serious consequences for mistakes, and part social interaction, where your advice and guidance can make a big difference. Your university will therefore ask a range of questions to test your understanding of these two sides of the subject.

Personal pharmacy university interview questions

Pharmacy involves a great deal of working with the public, as well as liaising with other health professionals such as doctors and GPs. You will need to have the inter-personal skills required to communicate well with all of these groups, as well as the distinct set of skills required for precise and consistent work under pressure. To find out more about your personality, you may be asked:

Ethical pharmacy university interview questions

There are a number of political and ethical issues around the UK’s drug policies, with decisions made by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, as well as central government. You will need to deal with these issues all the time, so it is important that you have the right attitude towards ethical problems.

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