With pharmacy technician jobs to launch your healthcare career. One of the industries in the UK that is expanding the quickest right now is healthcare. In particular, over the past ten years, the pharmacy industry has expanded by 75%. The need for healthcare workers is growing along with the population. You might be a pharmacy technician if you’re interested in a career in this field. Pharmacy assistants assist certified pharmacists in giving patients their medications and other medical supplies. They typically carry out standard duties, including labeling bottles and counting tablets, to assist with the preparation of prescription medication. In addition, they handle administrative tasks like cash register operation, shelf replenishment, and phone responding. Another name for pharmacy technicians is pharmacy assistants. They direct any inquiries to a pharmacy technician about prescriptions, medication details, or medical issues.
Even if you are qualified in another nation, pharmacy technicians must complete certain education, training, and experience requirements in the UK. You must also fill out a declaration confirming that you fulfill all of our requirements for pharmaceutical professionals when you renew your registration with us each year. You must obtain professional indemnity insurance that covers you for any risks related to your line of work if you want to work as a pharmacist or pharmacy technician.
How Much Do Pharmacy Technician Jobs Pay in the UK?
Healthcare is currently one of the sectors in the UK that is growing at the fastest rate. Specifically, the pharmacy sector has grown by 75% in the last ten years. As the population grows, so does the demand for healthcare professionals. Pharmacy assistants help licensed pharmacists administer prescription drugs and other medical supplies to patients. To help with the preparation of prescription medication, they usually perform routine tasks like labeling bottles and counting tablets. They also take care of administrative duties like answering phones, replenishing shelves, and operating cash registers. Pharmacy assistants are another term for pharmacy technologists. They forward any questions regarding prescriptions, medication information, or health concerns to a pharmacy technician.
Levels of Pharmacy Technician
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Level 1 Pharmacy Technician
The most fundamental certification for pharmacy technician jobs is Level I. Typically, level I pharmacy technicians maintain the organization and undertake primarily administrative duties. These pharmacy technicians are closely supervised by a pharmacist and require strong customer service abilities. The PTCB’s CPhT exam is the most popular certification test that level I pharmacy technicians must pass after completing a training program. Certain states do not require certification. Pay for level I pharmacy technicians starts at about £18.06 per hour, and they usually make less than level II technicians.
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Level II Pharmacy Technician
Compared to level I pharmacy technicians, level II technicians receive additional training, often have one or two years of experience, and can practice a wider range of tasks. Training level I pharmacy technicians is frequently the responsibility of level II technicians. Level II technicians may be in charge of producing more complicated prescriptions, keeping intricate medication files, and recording statistical data for the pharmacy in addition to their Level I duties. The majority of businesses demand that level II pharmacy technicians pass the PTCB certification exam. Other certifications, like a billing and reimbursement certificate or a prescription history certificate, may also be necessary. On average, level II pharmacy technicians make £22.98 per hour.
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Level III Pharmacy Technician
Advanced pharmacy technicians are another name for level II technicians. These technicians can receive training in administering immunizations, managing chemotherapeutic medications, and sterile compounding. The highest-paid pharmacy technicians are level III, with an hourly wage of up to £28.84. In addition to passing the PTCB certification exam, these pharmacy technicians often possess four or more qualifications and at least three years of experience.
Types of Pharmacy Technician Jobs
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Technician in Retail Pharmacy
They organize drugs, manage billing and payments, and fill prescriptions for patients. The hourly wage for this role is £17 to £19 on average. Depending on the state, PTCB CPhT can be necessary. Filling prescriptions, maintaining pharmacy organization, and performing administrative tasks are the main responsibilities of retail pharmacy technicians. Level I pharmacy technicians with little to no experience are typically hired by retail pharmacies, and some even provide on-the-job training.
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Technician in Hospital Pharmacy
Handle chemotherapy drugs, assemble medicine cabinets, transport drugs to various medical departments, and compound medications. Hospitals are where they work. The average hourly wage is £23. Some hospitals exclusively employ advanced or level III pharmacy technicians, while the majority demand certification. To combine, arrange, and transport drugs to the nurses who are caring for patients in a hospital setting, hospital pharmacy technicians collaborate with hospital pharmacists. These pharmacy technicians must hold a sterile compounding certification, handle a lot of regulated chemicals, and frequently work with chemotherapy drugs.
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Technician in a Private Pharmacy
They make prescription drugs, compound them, and fulfill bulk drug orders for institutions, including prisons and hospices. Also, the offices of private pharmacies are their workplaces. £20 per hour is the average salary. Depending on the state, PTCB CPhT may be necessary. Although they have fewer duties related to client interaction, private pharmacy technicians carry out many of the same duties as retail pharmacy technicians. Large orders issued to companies that must always have a supply of pharmaceuticals on hand are more likely to be filled by private pharmacy technicians. Private pharmacies may offer their services to schools, jails, long-term care facilities, and hospice clinics.
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Informatics Pharmacy Technician
They assist with maintaining pharmacy equipment such as distribution machines, lock boxes, barcoding, and medication scanners. Their workplaces include retail pharmacies, private pharmacies, and hospitals. Starting at £45 per hour is the average salary. The majority of firms prefer technicians with product verification certification, and most require at least a CPhT. Managing a pharmacy’s equipment and technology falls within the purview of a pharmacy technician informaticist. They will assist with the upkeep and troubleshooting of devices like automated dispensing machines, lockboxes, and computer programs that store patient data and prescription drug records. Informaticists who work as pharmacy technicians must finish specialized training for their positions. They could also have to keep up with equipment for compounding medications and point-of-care diagnostics.
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Technician in Compounding Pharmacy
They prepare the drugs (usually sterile intravenous drugs) for the patient. Compounding pharmacy technicians work in private pharmacies and hospitals. Compounded pharmacy technicians (CPhTs) and Certified Compounded Sterile Preparation Technicians (CSPTs) usually work in private pharmacies and hospitals, earning an average of £22 per hour. They prepare and mix drugs that are administered intravenously and need to be maintained sterile to prevent patients from contracting a serious infection. When administered to a patient, improperly prepared drugs can result in serious injury or even death.
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Pharmacy Technician for Mail Orders
They arrange prescriptions and make sure they are mailed to patients promptly and correctly. Mail-order pharmacy technicians work in pharmacies that ship via mail. The hourly wage is £17 to £27 on average. Depending on the state, PTCB CPhT may be necessary. Medication orders placed by patients over the phone or online are prepared and shipped by mail-order pharmacy technicians. They must be incredibly well-organized and detail-oriented, and they usually don’t interact with customers in person very often. Mail-order pharmacies employ a large number of pharmacy technicians who work from home. Working with insurance providers to make sure that prescription drugs are covered before they are sent to patients is another duty of mail-order pharmacy technicians. Insurance policies typically cover mail-order pharmacy services, in contrast to online pharmacies.
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Pharmacy Technician for Chemotherapy
They combine, arrange, label, and disperse chemotherapeutic drugs. Hospitals and chemotherapy infusion clinics are their places of employment. The average hourly wage for this role is £17. Hazardous drug management certification and advanced pharmacy technician certification. The main purpose of chemotherapy is to treat cancer. If these drugs are taken improperly, they may be harmful. Chemotherapy pharmacy workers are therefore required to undergo specialized training to protect both themselves and others. These pharmacy technicians might be in charge of packing, labeling, and dispensing chemotherapy in addition to manufacturing chemotherapy drugs. They typically work at infusion clinics or hospitals.
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Technician in Lab Pharmacy
Compounding chemicals should be arranged, stored, and disposed of by lab pharmacy technicians. Pharmaceutical laboratories are where they are employed. Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician (CSPT), or CPT, laboratory pharmacy technicians monitor various chemicals and make sure they are mixed and kept appropriately. Their average hourly wage is £23.98. Usually, they don’t work with patients for very long. Instead, they spend their days making sure that various chemicals are arranged, appropriately labeled, securely stored, and transported to various compounding locations.
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Benefits Manager Technician for Pharmacy
They keep thorough records, confirm insurance coverage, and make sure prescriptions are legitimate and accurate. They are employed in hospitals, retail pharmacies, and private pharmacies. The average salary is £25 per hour. Advanced pharmacy technician credentials, such as regulatory compliance, controlled substance diversion prevention, and billing and reimbursement certificates. Many of the paperwork, legal procedures, and insurance verifications of prescription drugs are handled by a pharmacy benefits manager. They are responsible for monitoring restricted substances and verifying the legitimacy of patient prescriptions. In order to keep patients safe and make sure that all physicians and pharmacy staff are abiding by pharmacy laws and regulations, pharmacy benefits managers are crucial.
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How to Find the Right Positions
It can be difficult to decide the best pharmacy technician jobs because there are so many possibilities available. Before making a decision, take into account these factors.
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Preference for Work Environment
Think about the kind of workplace you want to work in when you’re looking for a job. Consider whether working in a retail establishment would be enjoyable for you or if you would prefer a quiet laboratory. Before committing to a training program or a job, take the time to explore several workplaces.
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A Desire to Engage With Patients.
Nearly constant patient involvement is necessary for certain pharmacy technician occupations, such as those in retail pharmacies. Some, such as those in hospital pharmacies. Compounding lets pharmacy technicians work alone.
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Comfort level with steady versus fast-paced work
While some pharmacies have moments of relaxation interspersed with hectic times, others expect their staff to work consistently throughout the shift. If at all possible, visit various work locations and observe the workflow.
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A readiness to work irregular hours
Employees in hospitals may be required to work weekends, holidays, evenings, and nights. While some people attempt to avoid working unusual hours, others love it. It’s more likely that retail pharmacies will merely need regular hours.
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A desire to combine drugs.
Most drugs can only be compounded by more experienced pharmacy workers. Before committing to a career or a pharmacy technician training program, consider whether that is something you like.
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A desire for a more practical or administrative position
Scrutinize job descriptions to see if your company anticipates more hands-on or administrative work from pharmacy technicians. While some pharmacy technicians prefer more hands-on work, others choose to manage more responsibilities, such as insurance and payments.
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Long-term professional objectives.
When selecting a pharmacy technician specialty, consider your long-term professional objectives. Level 1 positions are acceptable for individuals who want to become office administrators, but more advanced positions are preferable for those who want to become pharmacists.
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Requirement for specialization in education.
Level III pharmacy technicians must invest more time and effort in their studies, even if they earn more money and have a wider range of practice. You might want to select training that you can finish faster if you need to start working straight away.
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Find employment opportunities in your neighborhood.
Look through local employment listings for specific pharmacy technician positions as you start your training. Find out if the facilities in your area need advanced training or a specialty.
Advantages of Becoming a Pharmacy Technician
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You have less than a year to earn your certification.
A credential, such as the Pharmacy Technician Training by One Education, the NVQ/SVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services, or the BTEC National Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science, is important for a pharmacy assistant. These enable General Pharmaceutical Council (GPHC) registration. Additionally, training positions for pharmacy technicians and dispensing technicians are available through the NHS and other organizations.
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Your work impacts people
Certain tasks seem dull. You work, return home, and repeat the process. However, working as a pharmacy technician is not the same. Every day, you assist others. You may operate the register, measure medications, or interact with clients. Your job is important, no matter what. This is a fantastic option if you want a job that you love. The satisfaction of assisting others is more enjoyable than the compensation alone. Individuals depend on you to deliver their medications. Even a pleasant conversation might brighten their day. Having a career as a pharmacy technician is something to be proud of. You can look forward to work every day and make a difference.
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An affordable education
A degree or years of education are not necessary to work as a pharmacy technician. All you need is a pharmacy technician course, which usually lasts a year, and four GCSEs (A to C), including English, Maths, and Science. This choice is inexpensive, doesn’t require hefty fees or student loans, and takes a short amount of time to complete. Commitment and enthusiasm for the position are crucial. Training for pharmacy technicians is adaptable. You have the option of studying full-time or part-time, and the majority of the coursework is online. You can adjust your timetable as a result. To remain eligible, certification needs renewal every two years.
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Attractive Pay
The Economic Research Institute estimates that a pharmacy technician in the UK makes, on average, £16 per hour. This indicates that they make about £26,000 a year. In 2025, the pay is approximately £31,000.
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Adaptability
You can take pharmacy technician courses when it is most convenient for you. While the majority of the curriculum can be online, there are some hands-on components. Every five weeks, new classes begin, and there are even morning and evening fast-track options available. In this manner, you can complete your coursework more quickly while still attending to your household or professional responsibilities.
Conclusion
Pharmacy technician jobs in the UK offer a promising career for those passionate about healthcare. The pharmaceutical sector is expanding, and opportunities are increasing. Becoming a pharmacy technician is an impactful career that is also accessible. With pharmacy technician jobs, you gain experience in healthcare and get job security. Pharmacy technician jobs are stable careers that offer good earning potential.