How to become a pharmacist

If you have an interest in the human body and medication, have an aptitude for sciences and are a methodical and trustworthy individual, then becoming a pharmacist may be the career for you. This article explains what the job entails, how you can go about to become a member of the profession and the opportunities that exist once you have qualified.

Job description

What do pharmacists do? The job involves dealing with medication in various different ways including dispensation of medication, giving health advice to people including advice about the side effects of medication. Pharmacists are experts on interactions between medication as well as contraindication.

How to become a pharmacist

How to get on a a registered pharmacist course To become a pharmacist, you must complete a master's degree (Mpharm) that lasts for four years. Pharmacy school requirements include three A levels, or the equivalent, one of which has to be chemistry and it is preferred if another is biology. You must also have a good English grade at GCSE level and be proficient in Maths. The course that you go on must be an accredited course. What the course consists of The four-year course involves some core principles that you must learn, including the origin and chemistry of drugs, actions and uses of medications and pharmacy practise. The course also requires you to be interested in learning about constantly evolving medications and practices. After the course Once you have qualified, you must spend a year as a probationary pharmacist working in settings such as hospitals or community pharmacies. Once this year is up, you have to sit for an exam to finally qualify as a registered pharmacist. Personal qualities To make it in the demanding profession, you must be a methodical person and trustworthy individual who can cope with responsibility well and have good communication skills with which to deal with the public.

After you have qualified

What is the salary of a pharmacist? Pharmacists are in high demand and there are many opportunities out there. Salaries start between £20,000-£30,000. This will rise as you become more experienced year upon year. By the time you have been practising for ten years or more, you can expect to earn up to £60,000. Where you can work There are many oppurtunities and places to work. They include hospitals,community pharmacies, the army, care homes, with the government and in the field of research. The opportunities are very broad and you can have a satisfying, well paid career if you can make it in the pharmacological profession.