Hospital Pharmacist

Introduction
Hospital pharmacists make sure patients receive the most effective and
appropriate medicines. They are responsible for the ordering, quality testing,
storage and security of the drugs and medicines. They supervise the
preparation of drugs according to prescriptions, dispense drugs to patients
and staff, and advise on their use, safety and effects.

Also known as
Pharmacist, Hospital

Work Activities
Hospital pharmacists work closely with doctors, nurses, pharmacy technicians and other healthcare professionals to
ensure that patients receive the best treatment.

This includes discussing appropriate medicines, or safe combinations of drugs in a course of treatment, and
monitoring to make sure the right dose has been prescribed.

The hospital pharmacist can also advise other medical staff on the correct dosage, the most appropriate form of
medicine for the patient (tablet, injection or inhaler, for example) and any likely reactions between the medicine and
different drugs or foods being taken by the patient.

In most hospitals, pharmacists have direct contact with patients on the ward. They check their medical history, advise
them on how to take medicines, and discuss any possible side-effects.

Most medicines arrive at the hospital ready-made, although the pharmacist might have to mix some ingredients for
tablets, liquids or ointments for one-off preparations.

Hospital pharmacists are able to specialise in a wide variety of areas. Apart from clinical pharmacy (working with
other medical staff on the wards), these areas include outpatient care (medicines for people who visit hospital
without staying the night), cancer care, older adults, and palliative care (for terminally ill patients).

Some pharmacists work in drug information departments. They test the claims of pharmaceutical companies and
reports from clinical trials. This work ensures that the hospital uses effective and cost-effective products. Internet and
database searches are important in these departments.

Outside the hospital, pharmacists also advise staff and patients in residential nursing homes and local health clinics.

Hospital pharmacy relies heavily on computers. They help with day-to-day work, such as storing information, stock
control and drug monitoring. Pharmacists might also use the internet and databases when answering enquiries from
hospital staff and from patients or members of the public.

Pharmacists supervise the work of pharmacy technicians. Technicians prepare medicines according to a prescription,
and dispense them to patients or to the hospital staff who treat patients.

The role of the hospital pharmacist is expanding. For example, there are opportunities to prescribe treatments. So,
for example, the doctor will make a diagnosis and the pharmacist will create an individualised treatment plan. This is
known as supplementary prescribing; it is well suited to patients with long-term diseases who need to have their drug
treatment regularly reviewed.

Pharmacists can also train as 'independent prescribers'. This enables them to assess the patient's condition and
prescribe the appropriate medicine, leaving doctors more time for other work. A hospital pharmacist who can
prescribe independently would get information from doctors, nurses and test results, and use this to make decisions
about prescribing.

They can also specialise as consultants, in areas such as haematology (blood), respiratory medicine or infectious

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 diseases.

Hospital pharmacists can run specialist clinics for patients with long-term conditions. Some hospital pharmacists visit
patients in the community, in places such as residential care homes and local health clinics.

Being able to read, write and speak Welsh may be an advantage when you’re looking for work in Wales.

Personal Qualities and Skills

To be a hospital pharmacist, you'll need:

A high level of scientific knowledge.

A thorough, methodical approach and attention to detail when dealing with prescriptions and preparing
medicines.
Patience, tact and sensitivity for contact with patients.
Teamwork skills to work alongside doctors, nurses and therapists.
Computer skills, for example, to monitor and control stock levels.

Pay and Opportunities

Pay

NHS employees are paid on a rising scale within defined pay bands, according to their skills and responsibilities. The
pay rates given below are approximate.

In the NHS, entry-level (pre-registration) pharmacists earn £21,176 a year. Qualified pharmacists earn in the range of
£25,472 - £34,189, rising to £54,454 - £67,134 a year for more senior positions. Higher salaries are available, for
example, for pharmaceutical services managers and above.

In the private sector, pay rates vary depending on the organisation and role and responsibilities, but are broadly in
line with NHS rates.

Hours of work

Hospital pharmacists usually work a 37-hour week, with shift work, including weekends, on a rota basis. Some
pharmacists take part in a residency or on-call rota to provide an out-of-hours service to the hospital.

Where could I work?

Hospital pharmacists work in NHS hospitals and health centres, and in private hospitals. Opportunities for hospital
pharmacists occur in hospitals in towns and cities throughout the UK.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local/national newspapers, on the NHS Jobs website and on job boards.

Entry Routes and Training

Entry routes

To become a registered pharmacist, you need to complete a degree in pharmacy that is accredited by the General
Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

This degree is known as a Master of Pharmacy (MPharm); courses usually take four years to complete.

Five-year courses for people with non-science A levels are available at a small number of universities.

Training

After successfully completing your degree course, you will need to spend a 'pre-registration' year in a pharmacy.

You can spend the whole pre-registration year in a hospital pharmacy, or divide your time between this and either
community or industrial pharmacy.

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 Both the training site and the tutor supervising you must be approved by the GPhC.

The University of Bradford has a five-year sandwich course, incorporating the 'pre-registration' year.

When you have completed the pre-registration year, you need to sit the GPhC or Pharmaceutical Society of Northern
Ireland (PSNI) registration exam. You must pass this exam before you can join the GPhC/PSNI Register.

Progression

Newly employed hospital pharmacists usually gain experience in different sections of the hospital pharmacy. They
also have their own responsibilities, so they can gradually learn to manage a section that interests them. They often
go on to specialise in a particular area, such as intensive care or paediatrics. Hospital pharmacists follow a structured
career path up to consultant grade.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act

This career is an exception to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This means that you must supply information
to an employer about any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings, if they ask you to.

This is different from other careers, where you only have to reveal information on unspent convictions if you are
asked to.

Qualifications
For entry to a degree course in pharmacy, the usual requirement is:

3 A levels, including Chemistry and two other subjects from Biology, Maths and Physics. Biology might be a
preferred or essential subject. Some universities accept Chemistry or Biology.
GCSEs at grade C or above in your A level subjects.
A further 2/3 GCSEs at grade C and above, including English and Maths.

Alternatives to separate science GCSEs (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) are:

Science and Additional Science, or

Science and Additional Applied Science.

Equivalent qualifications, such as the International Baccalaureate Diploma, can be acceptable for entry. Please check
prospectuses carefully.

Edexcel (BTEC) level 3 Nationals might also be acceptable for entry. However, you should note that A level Chemistry
is still likely to be essential at many universities. Please check prospectuses carefully.

Some universities accept the Welsh Baccalaureate as equivalent to 1 A-level.

Adult Opportunities
Age limits

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show
there is a real need to have these limits.

Courses

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter an accredited degree in pharmacy, you might be able to start one
after completing an Access course, such as Access to Science. You don't usually need any qualifications to start an
Access course, although you should check this with course providers.

Funding

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 You can apply for funding from relevant medical charities and trusts. Some employers provide sponsorship.

The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries General Charity Limited offers grants to a limited number of students who
are on the third or final year of their pharmacy degree courses.

Statistics

30% of people in occupations such as hospital pharmacist work part-time.

6% have flexible hours.
4% of employees work on a temporary basis.

Further Information
Professional institutions

Professional institutions have the following roles:

To support their members.

To protect the public by keeping standards high in their professions.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain is the professional institution for pharmacy in the UK.

Contacts

Health Careers
Website: http://www.weds.wales.nhs.uk/contact-nhs-wales-careers/

NHS Wales Careers

Publisher: National Leadership and Innovation Agency for Healthcare
Email: abm.wedsteam@wales.nhs.uk
Website: www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/829/page/36090

NHS Jobs
Website: www.jobs.nhs.uk

Step into the NHS

NHS careers
Tel: 0345 6060655
Website: www.stepintothenhs.nhs.uk

Skills for Health

Skills for the health sector
Address: Goldsmiths House, Broad Plain, Bristol BS2 0JP
Tel: 0117 9221155
Email: office@skillsforhealth.org.uk
Website: www.skillsforhealth.org.uk

Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI)

Address: 7th floor, Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QT
Tel: 0870 8904333
Website: careers.abpi.org.uk

Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) Scotland

Scottish enquiries
Address: Crichton House, 4 Crichton's Close, Edinburgh EH8 8DT
Tel: 0131 5230493
Website: careers.abpi.org.uk

NHS Education for Scotland (NES)

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 Scottish enquiries
Address: Westport 102, West Port, Edinburgh EH3 9DN
Tel: 0131 6563200
Email: enquiries@nes.scot.nhs.uk
Website: www.nes.scot.nhs.uk

Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Address: 1 Lambeth High Street, London SE1 7JN
Tel: 0845 2572570
Email: support@rpharms.com
Website: www.rpharms.com

Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Enquiries
Address: 73 University Street, Belfast BT7 1HL
Tel: 028 9032 6927
Email: info@psni.org.uk
Website: www.psni.org.uk

Worshipful Society of Apothecaries

Address: Apothecaries' Hall, Black Friars Lane, London EC4V 6EJ
Tel: 020 7236 1189
Website: www.apothecaries.org

General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)

Address: 129 Lambeth Road, London SE1 7BT
Tel: 020 3365 3400
Email: info@pharmacyregulation.org
Website: www.pharmacyregulation.org

Royal Pharmaceutical Society in Scotland

Scottish enquiries
Address: Holyrood Park House, 106 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8AS
Tel: 0131 5564386
Email: scotinfo@rpharms.com
Website: www.rpharms.com

Related Careers
Pharmacy Technician
Community Pharmacist
Industrial Pharmacist
Pharmacologist
Pharmacist
Pharmacy Assistant

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