Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants

Average National Salaries (2022)

What does this career do?

Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants work under the supervision of pharmacists and opticians or optometrists to dispense drugs and medicines, issue pre-packaged prescriptions, sell over-the-counter medication, dispense spectacles and contact lenses and other related products.

Typical tasks

• checks received prescriptions for legality and accuracy and confirms patients’ or customers’ details maintains records of prescriptions received and drugs issued checks stock levels, rotates stock, orders new stock from supplying companies and ensures that products are stored appropriately arranges displays of merchandise relays information to customers under the direction of pharmacist and opticians or optometrists carries out sales transaction, wraps and packages goods

Current entry requirements

Entrants usually possess GCSEs/S grades. Training is typically received on-the-job, supplemented by study towards vocational qualifications. NVQs/ SVQs are available in relevant areas and at various levels, and apprenticeships may be available.

Percentage in work

• Employed

• Unemployed

Predicted employment status in 2022

• Full-time

• Part-time

• Self Employed

Predicted employment levels in the East Midlands

Career related courses available at West Notts

• Biology A Level - Level 3
• Chemistry A Level - Level 3

About the statistics

Data is powered by LMI for All and is sourced from labour market statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the Institute for Employment Research, the Department for Works and Pensions, and the UK Commission for Employment and Skills.