Pharmacy : Your skills

Studying pharmacy enables you to develop many skills. Some of these skills and abilities are specific to the role of a pharmacist and include:

• knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles and theories relating to the design and manufacture of medicines;
• ability to apply this knowledge, in practical settings, to meet the needs of patients and colleagues;
• how to communicate effectively with patients and other health professionals;
• production of pharmacy-specific scientific documentation;
• safe handling of potentially hazardous materials;
• the ability to work carefully, methodically and accurately;
• operation of pharmaceutical instrumentation;
• knowledge of the law and ethical concerns relating to the supply of medicines;
• analysis of medicines.

You also develop a broad range of transferable skills that are very attractive to employers in other sectors. These skills include:

• verbal communication - including the ability to listen carefully and explain complex and/or sensitive information;
• interpersonal skills - the ability to to empathise and establish relationships with patients, the public and other professionals;
• ability to work well as part of a team;
• numeracy and computation;
• problem-solving skills and the ability to think clearly and methodically;
• information technology;
• research and analysis;
• project management;
• time management and organisational skills;
• the ability to critically evaluate data;
• commercial awareness;
• an ethical attitude.

Consider the skills developed on your course as well as through your other activities, such as paid work, volunteering, family responsibilities, sport, membership of societies, leadership roles, etc. Think about how these can be used as evidence of your skills and personal attributes. Then you can start to market and sell who you really are, identify what you may be lacking and consider how to improve your profile. Take a look at job application advice for some useful tips.