Community Pharmacy: A Vital Healthcare Resource
Community pharmacies in Scotland play a crucial role in providing accessible healthcare services, expert advice on medicines, and treatments for minor illnesses. Learn about the roles of pharmacists and their teams, as well as the essential services they offer to support patient health and wellbeing.
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Presentation Transcript
Community Pharmacy A Career Choice in Scotland
What is Community Pharmacy? A community pharmacy on the high street, in supermarkets, in GP surgeries, is where people go to get medicines, ask for advice on their health or how best to take their medicines, and to access healthcare services. Community pharmacies are convenient for patients and open longer hours than GPs. Appointments are not needed. Advice could be for treatment and care for a minor condition, such as cold, flu or a rash. Medicines can be bought or be provided by the NHS in a pharmacy Community pharmacists work at the front line of healthcare in cities, towns, and villages
This is a video made by NHS Forth Valley to explain what a community pharmacist does. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch1- 7p2y_YU&feature=youtu.be
Community Pharmacies were open during the COVID pandemic when other health professionals had closed their doors. Here is a video showing various pharmacies and their teams celebrating how they managed to support patients in this difficult time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AijI1h7- Al0&feature=youtu.be
Who works in a Community Pharmacy? The community pharmacy team will include: Pharmacist- a health professional, expert in medicines. Pharmacy Technicians - professionals who prepare medicines for patients and assist the pharmacist Dispensary Assistants - select, label and record medicines, under the supervision of a pharmacist Healthcare Assistants - have the essential knowledge to be able to supply medicines, under the supervision of a pharmacist
What does a community pharmacist in Scotland do? Provides expert advice to patients how to get the most benefit from their medicines and how to use medicines safely Provides advice and treatment for minor illnesses Work closely with GPs, nurses and other professionals to give advice on how to choose medicines and advise on dosage Help patients manage their long term health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or skin conditions Support patients access community pharmacy services for example, to stop smoking or sexual health advice including the morning after pill Ensure medicines are supplied to highest standards for safety and quality
Pharmacology is only one subject in the training to be a pharmacist. A degree in Pharmacology does not give the necessary qualification to become a pharmacist. This video explains the difference between a pharmacist and a pharmacologist. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PB3kAhbqhjU&feature=yo utu.be
Why would I want to be a community pharmacist? I want to help people to get well and work directly with patients I can enjoy a wide range of career opportunities I want to be an important member of the healthcare team I can have job mobility, stability and flexibility I would like to be a highly respected member of my community What salary can I expect as a community pharmacist? In community pharmacy a newly qualified pharmacist salary is in the region of 38K p.a. rising to excess of 50K dependant on experience, further qualifications, and geography
How do I become a community pharmacist? You need to be interested in people s health and willing to supervise and show leadership You need to be able to multi-task and prioritise with strong numerical, interpersonal and communication skills To study for a Masters degree in Pharmacy at Strathclyde University or RGU you will need good grades in two sciences including Chemistry, and Maths and English Highers After your degree you will need to complete a fifth year of study and workplace experience under the supervision of a pharmacist and pass a final pre-registration exam to become a GPhC registered pharmacist
Why would I want to be a community pharmacy technician? You will be supporting health services which make a difference to patients You will gain a professional qualification whilst working and earning You will assist the pharmacist, working in a team in a healthcare environment supporting patients to get medicines safely and effectively You may have a leadership role in your pharmacy You will be able to access a professional development career pathway How do I become a community pharmacy technician? You will need to have qualifications equivalent to National 5 English, Maths and Science at C. You need to work in a pharmacy and complete a Diploma Level 3 course which covers 21 aspects of pharmacy practice.
Why would I want to become a Healthcare Assistant or Dispensing Assistant? You will be supporting health services which make a difference to patients Pharmacy healthcare and dispensary assistants work alongside pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in a fast paced, professional healthcare environment, supporting patients to get their medicines safely and effectively You will receive training in medicines Can be stepping stones to becoming a professional Pharmacy Technician How do I become a community pharmacy team member? Pharmacy team members are employed directly by the pharmacy owner through local advertisements. Why not visit pharmacy websites or local job agencies?
For more information on working in community pharmacy: www.npa.co.uk, thecca.org.uk & www.cps.scot For more information on studying to become a pharmacist: www.rgu.ac.uk/study/courses/883-mpharm-pharmacy www.strath.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/pharmacy/
Activities 1. Using the sheets provided, think about someone in your family who might go to a pharmacy and discuss in your group (write down) what they would ask in the pharmacy. 2. Think about the roles you have learned about today, and discuss in your group (write down) what you think each would say and do to help the patient get the right medicine.
