The overarching role of pharmacy practice in a hospital is to help people who are unwell to get better, to stop them from becoming unwell again and to prevent them from becoming unwell in the first place. Hospital pharmacists achieve this by using their knowledge and expertise with medicines. Pharmacists practising in specialisations such as medicines information, aseptic services, clinical pharmacy and the dispensary can all make a difference to patient care, which gives the pharmacy team and individuals great satisfaction.

Working in a hospital means more than being in the pharmacy as it involves being part of the healthcare team and working closely with all other healthcare professionals to provide advice and support. As a hospital pre-registration trainee pharmacist you will consider individual patients’ needs, and spend time with patients making sure that they get the optimum benefit from their medicines.

Hospital pharmacy departments vary widely in size from very large to quite small. The average pharmacy department has around 10-15 pharmacists and about 30 support staff including pharmacy technicians, pharmacy assistants and administrative staff. A variety of staff ensures a good skill mix which enables pharmacists to carry out their professional roles.

Some of the benefits of working in hospital pharmacy include:

• Direct involvement in patient care; influencing treatment choices by being involved in decision making at the point of prescribing; making a difference to the patient; a sense of contribution.
• Being part of a multiprofessional team; extensive professional and social networks in the pharmacy and throughout the hospital.
• Support from fellow pharmacists and colleagues is always available.
• The opportunity to get input from, observe, and work with several pharmacists rather than just one role model, enabling you to formulate your own preferred practice.
• A clearly defined career structure with opportunities to develop a range of skills which may include technical, clinical, educational or managerial skills.
• Recognition of your expertise in whatever speciality you choose; acknowledgement of your achievements; pharmacists and pharmacy services are highly valued by colleagues and management.
• Continuing professional and career development.
• Generous annual leave entitlements & access to the NHS pension scheme.

Salary Hospital pre-registration trainee pharmacists are paid according to salary Band 5 on the nationally agreed NHS salary scale. In April 2009 the basic salary for a pre-registration trainee pharmacist was £20,710 per year. Some salaries are higher than this due to an additional high cost area allowance payable in inner London, outer London and South East England. This allowance can be as much as an additional £4142 per year for hospitals in inner London (based on April 2009 figures). NHS salaries increase (usually in line with inflation) in April each year and by the time you commence your hospital pre-registration training there will have been two salary increases, so your starting salary and any additional payments will be higher than those stated above. For further information about NHS salaries see www.nhsemployers.org

Terms and conditions Hospital pre-registration trainee pharmacists work 37.5 hours per week. This usually means Monday to Friday. You will not be required to work most weekends however involvement in weekend work and bank holiday rotas may be required.

The holiday entitlement is excellent, with pre-registration trainee pharmacists getting 27 days of annual leave plus 8 bank holidays over the training year.

Accommodation

Many hospitals can offer you accommodation. This is usually excellent value for money and offers the opportunity to meet people; something to consider if you are going to be living far away from home or in an expensive city area.