Pharmacy Services Technical
Modern Apprenticeship
What's Pharmacy Services Technical like?
Searching for a healthcare career where you'll help people overcome illnesses and manage their conditions?
Study and work with a Technical Apprenticeship in pharmacy services and be part of an industry that’s committed to shaping Scotland’s medical future.
You'll prepare and supply medication under the supervision of a pharmacist. You could work in a variety of places including a community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, GP practice or prison.
What are Technical Apprenticeships?
Technical Apprenticeships are Modern Apprenticeships at SCQF levels 8 or 9. You'll get paid employment (like all Modern Apprenticeships) and training for jobs at technician level.
You need to be the legal school-leaving age in Scotland, or older, to apply and they're available in lots of different industries.
What's the qualification?
SCQF Level 8
You'll gain a Modern Apprenticeship at SCQF Level 8.
Your qualification includes:
Pharmacy Services at SCQF Level 8 (includes Professional Development Award (PDA) in Pharmacy Services at SCQF Level 7)
What will I learn?
During your apprenticeship, your tasks might include:
advising customers about prescription medicines and over-the-counter products
explaining how to deal with minor illnesses
discussing healthy living – for example, some pharmacy technicians provide a stop-smoking service
making sure your own actions reduce risks to health and safety
receiving prescriptions from individuals
assembling prescribed items
ordering, receiving and maintaining pharmaceutical stock
If you work in a hospital pharmacy, you might assemble prescriptions for patients who are receiving cancer treatment, newborn babies or those who are recovering from operations. Some of these medications need to be made up in sterile conditions to avoid contamination.
With experience, you could specialise in a particular area such as quality control, clinical trials or medicines information services.
Pharmacy technicians must be able to explain things clearly. Some people may be embarrassed about their health conditions, so you need to act discreetly.
You'll refer patients to a pharmacist or other healthcare professionals when necessary.
You'll develop the following core skills:
time management
problem-solving
teamwork
communication
These transferrable skills are useful for working in other jobs such as business administration and nursing.
Where could it take me?
This Technical Apprenticeship gives you a range of options.
Further education: Improve your medical knowledge by studying for a degree in Pharmacy or Nursing. Your experience will support your university application.
Straight to work: Use your qualifications and apply for pharmacy technician roles.
Entry requirements
There are no set requirements for this apprenticeship but completing the Pharmacy Services Modern Apprenticeship at SCQF Level 6 can be very helpful. Or you might have equivalent experience or qualifications – employers will consider all of these.
It's crucial to have an interest in the pharmacy industry and a desire to help patients.
Volunteering in a healthcare role can help you build the skills and experience you’ll need to become a pharmacy technician. Search for NHS or healthcare-based opportunities on Volunteer Scotland.
Work experience is a great way to develop useful skills and see what it's like working in a pharmacy role. You could contact your local health board to ask about work experience opportunities.
How does it work?
You’ll learn in a real-world environment and earn a wage. You’ll also study with a college or another learning provider.
How long will it take?
This Technical Apprenticeship at SCQF Level 8 will take between 24 and 36 months to complete.
How to apply
Use the 'Find vacancies near you' search at the end of this page to look for vacancies, then you can apply online.
You'll apply on Apprenticeships.scot or the company’s own website – there are details on the vacancy advert.