Medicines Counter Assistant: Key Skills, Qualifications and Career Path
Learn about the key skills, qualifications, and career path for a Medicines Counter Assistant
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Practice Now »What is a Medicines Counter Assistant?
A Medicines Counter Assistant helps customers at a pharmacy by providing advice and guidance on medications and health-related products. They support pharmacists by offering information and handling over-the-counter drugs while ensuring excellent customer service.
Qualifications & Education
- Possession of GCSEs/S grades or equivalent
- Combination of practical experience and study at a college or by open learning towards vocational qualifications
- NVQ/SVQ in Pharmacy Services at Level 3 to register as a pharmacy technician with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain
Career Path
Frequently Asked Questions
To become a dispenser in the UK, you need to complete a GPhC-recognised qualification or a GPhC-accredited training programme. For more information on the accreditation and recognition process, please see the GPhC's Approval process for education and training providers.
A Medicines Counter Assistant in the UK is responsible for advising patients on their health needs and acting as a brand ambassador for the community pharmacy they work in. They are the first point of contact for customers and provide assistance with over-the-counter medications.
The role of a dispensary assistant is to check the dispensary voicemail regularly and promptly deal with patient queries, handle face-to-face patient queries, issue prepared prescriptions, and collect prescription charges/check patient exemption statements.
There are no set entry requirements to become a pharmacy assistant in the UK, but most employers will expect good literacy, numeracy, and IT skills. Experience in a customer service role would be an advantage.
Identify your strengths and weakness in a realistic Medicines Counter Assistant mock interview, under 10 minutes
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