You could do a college course to get some of the skills you'll need as a pharmacy assistant.

You could do a Level 2 or 3 Certificate in Retail Skills. 

Entry requirements

You may need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

You could apply to a pharmacy business or the NHS to do a Pharmacy Services Assistant or Retailer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

You might be able to get a trainee pharmacy assistant job in a pharmacy. 

You could work and do a part time qualification like the Level 2 Certificate in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Support Staff.

You can apply directly for pharmacy assistant roles

You might need:

• experience of customer service
• good reading, number and IT skills
• GCSEs or equivalent

You'll need:

• customer service skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to work well with others
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• to enjoy working with other people
• the ability to read English
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

As a pharmacy assistant you could:

• serve customers and give advice about non-prescription items
• label products, stock shelves and put orders together
• take calls from GP surgeries, nursing homes and clinics
• deliver medicines to wards
• enter medicine data on computer systems

You could work at a health centre, at a store or in an NHS or private hospital.

You may need to wear a uniform.