Why I Want To Be A Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy Technicians are important members of the pharmacy team who work closely with patients and other healthcare professionals to ensure safe and effective use of medicines. The role is constantly evolving and expanding. Pharmacy Technicians are now working across primary and secondary care. For example in hospitals, community pharmacies, GP surgeries, care homes. They are also part of the CCG's pharmacy teams or may work in prisons.

To become a Pharmacy Technician you have to complete a 2-year accredited course approved by GPhC. This training consists of a theoretical and practical on the job part under the supervision of a Pharmacist or a Pharmacy Technician. Students can choose which sector they would like to work in after the sucesfull completion of the training.

I have always had a passion for helping other people and take care of their health. I graduated as a Practical Nurse and spent four years at the hospital at various wards in my hometown in Slovakia. During these years, I found out that my favorite part of nursing was administering medicines and injections. I was fascinated with everything about medications, how they affect the body and how they may interact with other medications. After considering all options, the pharmacy field was the right direction for me as it ticked all the boxes. I also liked that the field is advancing with many opportunities. I had failed to get hired as a trainee pharmacy assistant in a community pharmacy store multiple times due to my lack of experience. In the end, I got a job at a GP surgery as a Prescription Clerk. My interest in becoming a Pharmacy Technician started when had come across and worked closely with pharmacy technicians who worked on various projects alongside the clinical pharmacists. I was so impressed with how knowledgeable, confident, and skilled technicians were and how valuable they are to the team. From that moment I knew that I would love to become one of them.

Being a Pharmacy Technician means taking responsibility, advising people, helping them out with their queries, sorting out their problems, making their lives easier and happier. It is not just a job, it is a profession, career, or a calling which brings great satisfaction in knowing that you are truly able to help someone in need. It comes with the feeling of fulfillment of supporting others.

The consequences of dispensing wrong medication or improper dosage can be potencially fatal. Knowing this, pharmacy technicians must take this risk into consideration and do their work as carefully and accurately as possible.