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Pharmacy assistants support licensed pharmacists and are responsible for preparing and dispensing medicines correctly. Whether they’re filling in prescriptions or delivering treatments to customers, their role is crucial to maintaining a well-run pharmacy. But how do you write a pharmacy assistant CV that ticks every box?
At myPerfectCV, we’ve got the ideal remedy. Below, you’ll find top tips, a professional pharmacy assistant CV example, and our trusted CV builder – everything you need to create your application. It’s quick and easy to get started today!
Pharmacy assistant templates
Prepare your application with top tips for your pharmacy assistant CV
Writing a pharmacy assistant CV can be tough – but our top tips can sweeten the pill. Discover what UK recruiters want to see in your application today.
Highlight your qualifications
You don’t necessarily need any qualifications to apply for an entry-level pharmacy assistant role, so if you do have relevant training, this is a great way to stand out. Whether it’s a Level 2 Certificate in Pharmaceutical Science, an undergraduate degree, or HIPAA training, make sure to highlight this on your CV.
Use keywords from the pharmacy assistant job description
Many recruiters use applicant tracking software (ATS) to filter for the most relevant CVs – so don’t let yours slip through the net. By including keywords and phrases from the pharmacy assistant role description, you can make sure your application is seen by an actual recruiter.
Show off your interpersonal skills
Whether they’re serving customers or calling GPs on the phone, pharmacy assistants need to have excellent interpersonal skills. Don’t forget to include your soft skills on your CV, such as communication, problem-solving, and confidentiality.
Mention the metrics
If you delivered medicines to hospital wards in just 10 minutes or served an average of 15 people a day, mention the metrics on your CV. It will help a recruiter to quantify your success and is a lot more compelling than a list of your everyday duties.
Proofread your application
Pharmacy assistants need an excellent eye for detail to help them weigh medicine and fill out prescriptions accurately. To show you’re up to the task, make sure that your CV is completely error-free. A typo could suggest that you’re slapdash!
What skills should you include in your pharmacy assistant CV?
To be a great pharmacy assistant, you need a healthy dose of the right hard and soft skills. Discover what recruiters want to see on your CV below.
Top skills for your pharmacy assistant CV
- Communication
- Detail-orientated
- Writing prescriptions
- Customer service
- Numeracy
- Knowledge of medicine regulations
Extra skills that will help you stand out
- Record keeping
- Confidentiality
- Teamwork
- Organization
- Multitasking
- Inventory management
Dispense a personal statement that keeps your recruiter reading
Your personal statement is one of the most important sections of your CV. In just 2-3 lines, you need to grab your recruiter’s attention and show (but not tell) them that you’re the best candidate for the role.
A good personal statement should outline your current employment – you could describe yourself as a ‘school leaver’ or ‘college graduate’ if you’re applying for your first role – and your key professional attributes. That might be a pharmaceutical qualification or a relevant skill.
As in our UK pharmacy assistant CV sample, keep your personal statement brief but eye-catching to make your recruiter want to know more.
FAQs about your UK pharmacy assistant CV
What are the duties and responsibilities of a pharmacy assistant?
A pharmacy assistant is responsible for carrying out day-to-day duties within a pharmacy (this could be a chemist or a hospital dispensary). Their responsibilities include dispensing medicines and writing prescriptions under the instruction of a licensed pharmacist, taking stock checks and labelling different medication in the inventory, and serving customers at the front desk.
What skills do you need to be a pharmacy assistant?
To become a pharmacy assistant, you need to have a strong combination of hard and soft skills to carry out the pharmacy assistant duties and responsibility. These include numeracy, record keeping, communication, confidentiality, knowledge of medical terminology, and an excellent telephone manner.
How do you write a pharmacy assistant CV?
The way you write your pharmacy assistant CV will depend on the amount of experience you have. Some applicants will have graduated from a college course, while others could be applying straight out of school. It’s always important to highlight your relevant experience on your pharmacy assistant CV, so make sure to include a work experience section even if you’re applying for an entry-level role. You can include any roles or experiences that have furnished you with transferrable skills, such as numeracy or customer service.
How do I become a pharmacy assistant UK?
To become a pharmacy assistant in the UK, you won’t need any set qualifications (although a Level 2 Certificate or T Level for Pharmacy Science Assistants would be highly desirable). You can apply for roles directly after leaving school, as employers generally just look for solid numeracy, IT, and English skills.
How much do pharmacy assistants get paid in the UK?
The National Careers Service states that the average salary bracket for a pharmacy assistant in the UK is £18,000 to £21,142 a year. Your salary may depend on your experience level, location, and whether you work in a private chemist of NHS hospital dispensary.
Related CVs Pharmaceutical
Cure application anxiety with a new pharmacy assistant CV
Whether you’re a recent graduate or an experienced pharmacy assistant, you’ll need a professional CV if you want to take the next step in your career. Discover our top tips and pharmacy assistant CV sample, then create your own using our tried-and-tested CV builder.
