UK based Pharmacists
We are always happy to assist Pharmacists in finding the next position. Please contact Avalon Medical to discuss your requirements and how we may help you.
The following information is an overview of the most frequently asked questions by Overseas Pharmacists:
Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Technicians are valued professionals with an important role in health care provision in the UK. As the experts in medicines, pharmaceutical professionals are a trusted source of advice and treatment to colleagues and patients.
There are good career opportunities for Pharmacists in the UK which are focused in Community Pharmacy or Hospital Pharmacy. All professionals are expected to maintain their Registration by undertaking appropriate CPD (Continuing Professional Development). Usually this will relate to their clinical skill set. Roles for pharmacists within Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) are strategic and advisory, closely involved with General Practitioners and development. These roles are high level and there are few available.
Community Pharmacist
Changes and restructuring within the NHS encourages Community Pharmacists to develop their clinical skills including developing new roles in prescribing. Pharmacies are open all day and are convenient for most people to get to and you don't need an appointment to see the pharmacist. Community Pharmacies ensure that medicines purchased or prescribed for the patient are correctly and safely supplied. Many patients will also ask pharmacists for help with common ailments. All pharmacists in the UK now qualify with a five year MSc of which the last year is a 'clinical diploma'. Pharmacies are open 'out of hours', i.e. for longer than the Family Doctor's surgery, so pharmacists are able to offer cost effective care and many run schemes for their local Primary Care Trust (PCT) which focus on offering a minor ailments service. A career in Community Pharmacy in the UK can offer a pharmacist a dynamic and fulfilling choice for any Pharmacist.
What can a Community Pharmacist earn?
When you start work in the UK in a community pharmacy you will have to undergo a period of training. The salary during this time tends to be roughly half of what you should expect following your training. After you have successfully completed your training period your salary will rise to a minimum of £32,000 (can be up to £35,000) per annum before tax and national insurance deductions a Pharmacy Manager can expect to earn from £42,000 per annum.
Avalon Support & the Recruitment Process
Avalon Medical offer a quality service to clients and candidates. This includes:
Help and guidance with professional registration.
Free accredited language testing.
Avalon does not charge any fees to candidates. Avalon Medical will pay for the initial registration.
Avalon Medical are happy to arrange for one off interviews for specific vacancies. Avalon Medical also arranges and hosts recruitment conferences throughout Europe. At the conferences candidates can learn all about working in the UK and have the opportunity to speak with an advisor and receive information and assistance with all of the necessary registration procedures. Avalon may arrange interviews and for candidates to sit an appropriate English Language assessment. This professional support maximizes your opportunity of a job offer in the shortest possible time frame.
Registering with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.
To practise as a pharmacist in the UK you will need to register with the professional body, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB). This is a legal requirement and you will not able to practise without being registered. Full registration details can be found on the RPSGB website (details below).The Avalon Medical team can help and advise you through the registration process. If you qualified or expect to qualify in the European Union (*one of the member states of the European Union or EEA) you will need to show:
If you are qualified in a country other than those of the EEA you may apply through the 'Adjudicating Committee' procedures. For further information on this please see the 'Registration of Overseas Pharmacists by Adjudicating committee of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain' information pack, available from the RPSGB website or contact the RPSGB directly (details below).
Language Requirements
You will need to show you have the appropriate minimum level of English language ability.
To monitor this we ultilise a test as part of the recruitment process. Candidates using Avalon are able to have the test free of charge and useful information is given to candidates to assist them with their preparation.
Candidate Registration with Avalon - the first step
Soon after you have registered, an Avalon consultant will contact you.
Avalon Medical is a professional career consultancy specialising in medical-related professions. Our clients are employers from the public and private sectors, who trust us to find the very best candidates, and in return we aim to play a continued role in supporting people throughout their specialist careers.
Further Useful Information...
Candidates are advised to visit the following websites for general information:
Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain
1 Lambeth High Street
London
SE1 7JN
Tel 020 7735 9141 Fax 020 7735 7629
enquiries@rpsgb.org.uk www.rpsgb.org.uk