Pharmaceutical technicians

£28,157

Average salary

Average annual salary UK 2020 | Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings

33 hours

Average weekly hours

Average weekly hours UK 2019 | Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings

2.17%

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate UK 2020 | Labour Force Survey

Definition: Pharmaceutical technicians

*SOC Code (Standard Occupational Classification): 3217

Pharmaceutical technicians work in hospitals or in the community and assist pharmacists in the preparation and dispensing of drugs and medicines.

Common tasks include:

checks received prescriptions for legality and accuracy;
prepares drugs and medicines under the supervision of pharmacist;
prepares specialised, tailor-made drugs for intravenous administration by hospital medical staff;
labels and checks items prior to dispensing;
maintains records of prescriptions received and drugs issued;
advises patients or customers on the use of drugs prescribed or medication purchased over the counter;
checks stock levels, orders new stock from pharmaceutical companies and ensures that drugs are stored appropriately.

Qualifications

Entrants to training usually possess GCSEs/S grades or the equivalent. Training is typically a combination of practical experience and study at a college or by open learning towards vocational qualifications. To register as a pharmacy technician with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain an NVQ/ SVQ in Pharmacy Services at Level 3 is required

*Introduced in 1990, SOC is a multi-purpose common classification of occupations in UK. Jobs are defined in terms of skill level and skill content, including qualifications, training and work experience.

Employment status: Pharmaceutical technicians

Regional employment: Pharmaceutical technicians

Future employment: Pharmaceutical technicians

Top 12 industries: Pharmaceutical technicians

Alternative & related job titles: Pharmaceutical technicians

Technician, checking, accuracy Technician, pharmaceutical Technician, checking (pharmacy) Technician, dispensing Technician, pharmacy

Equality focus: Pharmaceutical technicians

Breaking down the official government big data sources by gender, age and region. Hours and pay data based on full time equlivalent roles.