When Megan first started her Level 3 Pharmacy Technician course, she wasn’t sure what to expect. Nearly two years later, she can confidently say it has been everything she had hoped for and more. The course has given her the opportunity to apply scientific principles to real-world pharmacy practice, making her role more rewarding and meaningful.
One of the highlights of Megan’s apprenticeship has been learning about anatomy and physiology. She found that understanding how the body functions made it easier to grasp how medications work, deepening her knowledge of pharmacology. “I really enjoyed learning about different medications, their mechanisms of action, and how they are used to treat conditions,” she explains. The chemical and biological principles covered in the course refreshed her existing knowledge and gave her a stronger understanding of medicines, despite the scientific nature of the content making it one of the more challenging areas.
Beyond the technical knowledge, Megan also appreciated the focus on person-centred care. “This unit stood out to me because it reinforced the idea that patients should always be our priority. It’s our job to ensure they receive safe and effective treatment.” While she found some of the maths content challenging, she felt well supported by her tutor, Claire, and her peers throughout the learning process.
Megan credits Skills4Pharmacy for delivering an engaging and well-structured learning experience. The BUD platform made it easy to track progress and manage assignments, and the course materials were clear and well-presented. However, the biggest factor in her success was her tutor, Claire. “She is kind, compassionate, and incredibly supportive. Her engaging teaching style, and use of videos, articles, and class discussions made learning much more interactive. She always encouraged open discussions, allowing us to share experiences from different pharmacy settings.”
Claire’s support went beyond just teaching. “There were times when I was struggling with personal issues or feeling overwhelmed by deadlines, and Claire was always there to reassure me. She played a huge role in boosting my confidence as a pharmacy professional, and I feel incredibly lucky to have had her as my tutor. I genuinely believe I would have struggled to complete the course without her support.”
For anyone considering an apprenticeship, Megan has some valuable advice: “I would absolutely recommend it! Learning while working has been vital to my development as a trainee Pharmacy Technician. But time management is key. Getting work done early reduces stress later on.” She also highlights the importance of dedication, as apprenticeships require commitment, but the rewards are well worth it. “The skills, knowledge, and experience you gain are invaluable. I was also lucky to have a supportive employer who was flexible around deadlines, which made a big difference.”
In the next five years, Megan hopes to gain experience as a Pharmacy Technician in community pharmacy. However, a new career aspiration has caught her interest – tutoring future Pharmacy Technicians. “My dad is a history teacher, and I’ve always enjoyed teaching others. When Claire mentioned that tutoring could be an option in the future, it immediately sparked my interest. Seeing how much of an impact she has had on my learning has inspired me to potentially follow in her footsteps.”
Megan’s journey highlights the power of apprenticeships – not only in developing skills but also in shaping future career ambitions. With the right support and guidance, she is excited to continue growing in the pharmacy profession and, one day, help train the next generation of Pharmacy professionals.