As a recently qualified Pharmacist, Victoria Houghton shared that she wanted to be an Archaeologist in Year 9! She reached sixth form with no clear idea of a career and decided to take sciences for A level to give herself options. She settled on Pharmacy, one reason being that she would always be employable as AI cannot replace the legal and clinical requirements for checking and dispensing drug prescriptions. Currently a Locum, Victoria moves between different settings and loves that no day is the same. She works alongside Dispensers and Pharmacy Technicians; both of these roles are accessible through the apprenticeship route.
Victoria was disappointed not to get the A level Physics grade she needed for direct entry onto the undergraduate course, and instead undertook a Foundation Year. She said this definitely prepared her better for the the degree and helped her gain confidence. Confidence in the professional guidance you give is so important, and Victoria highlighted the challenges of interacting with patients who have conducted their own online research about their condition and medication. Other skills she recommends are empathy and the ability to work under pressure. With the advent of Pharmacy First, Pharmacists can now prescribe medicines for some common conditions. This has added to the workload, which we understood better when Victoria explained the thorough checks that Pharmacists have to do before dispensing every prescription.
Categories: Careers Senior School
