A pharmacist offers expert help and advice on the correct dosage and usage of medicinal products. As well as providing fellow healthcare professionals with information regarding the benefits and effects of any drug or medicine, a pharmacist will also advise patients on how to manage their treatments to ensure the best outcome. Pharmacy jobs offer great progression and development, as well as opportunities to specialise in specific medical areas. 

The day-to-day requirements of pharmacy jobs vary depending on where you are based. For example, a hospital pharmacist may be expected to:

• Visit patients on the wards to see how their treatments are progressing
• Advise staff on the usage and dosages for specific drugs
• Purchase, run quality checks and distribute medicines within the hospital
• Create treatments by mixing drugs or medicines

A community pharmacist would be more likely to:

• Offer expert healthcare advice to the local area
• Prepare and sell prescriptions over the counter
• Educate customers on how to use the medicinal products
• Visit local care/nursing homes to see patients and deliver prescriptions
• Ensure the correct stock levels for drugs and medicines

For either of these pharmacist jobs, you must have studied an approved four-year Masters of Pharmacy degree, undertaken a 12-month training course in pharmacy and passed the registration exam. Additional training is available on the job to aid development. Regarding personal skills, you will need to be able to understand and care for patients from all backgrounds and circumstances.