You could do a Pharmacy Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

You can also train to be a pharmacy technician through an apprenticeship with the NHS or the armed forces.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

You can apply for a trainee pharmacy technician position and learn on the job.

Employers will often ask for 4 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English, maths and science, Level 2 Diploma in Applied Science, or equivalent qualifications.

You'll do on-the-job training over 2 years and work towards a Level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians.

You'll need:

• customer service skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• excellent verbal communication skills
• active listening skills
• maths knowledge
• the ability to work well with others
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• administration skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks

In this role you could:

• prepare prescription items
• make sure prescriptions are legal and accurate
• order new stock using computerised systems
• give advice to customers about medicines and refer complex queries to the pharmacist
• handle confidential information

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

You may need to wear protective clothing and a uniform.