Working as a Pharmacist in the U.K.

Have you recently decided it’s time for a change, and you’re now looking for a new career challenge? Starting a new job in a different country can be very exciting and lead to lots of great opportunities, but you need to make sure that you choose the right agency to hold your hand and guide you through the process. NEU Professionals offers careers for Pharmacists at some of the most prestigious NHS Trusts in the United Kingdom.

Job Opportunities in England for E.E.A. Pharmacists

If you are a talented and dedicated Pharmacist looking for a new challenge and an opportunity to make a difference, we invite you to join us at the NHS in England.

As a Pharmacist in the NHS, you’ll provide care in a range of settings, often at the heart of local communities. You’ll also have a role in preventing people from getting sick by helping them live healthier lifestyles and making sure they get the most from their medicines.

What do I need to become a Pharmacist in the U.K?

Below you can find a list of all essential requirements and steps to follow for your application with NEU Professionals to be successful:

There are no set university entry requirements but generally, you’ll need:

  • Three A-levels or equivalent in chemistry and a second science or maths typically offer a range from AAB to BBB
  • Pharmacy degrees with a foundation year may have lower grade requirements
  • GCSEs are considered alongside A-levels, with most schools of pharmacy expecting a minimum of five GCSEs including maths, English language and one science
  • Some universities accept vocational qualifications such as BTEC Level 3, National Extended Diploma in Applied Sciences or the Access to HE Diploma

All Pharmacists in the United Kingdom must be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). The GPhC requires you to pass an Academic IELTS with level 7 in all 4 subtests or a Pharmacy OET with Bs in all 4 subtests.
Candidates must achieve the specified scores in a single sitting of either one of the English language examinations mentioned above. Unlike the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requirements, candidates are not permitted to combine scores from multiple exams.

To support you with this, the NHS Trust will fund the cost of an 8-12 week English training course and an exam (first attempt only). Please note that the course will not teach you vocabulary, it is to teach you how to pass the English exam.

For more detailed information about GPhC English language requirements, please visit the GPhC website.

NEU Professionals and the NHS team rely on the motivation and commitment of the candidates who participate in the training course provided, to complete it and achieve the required level of English language.

Do you think you are eligible to register? Congratulations!

Now simply forward your documents (IELTS/OET certificate, up-to-date CV and passport copy) to apply@neuprofessionals.com or attach them to your application form when applying for a job. If your application is successful, our team will be in touch to schedule a first video interview with one of our recruiters and give you guidance on the next steps of the process.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Our NHS Trusts may demand additional required documents before scheduling an interview

It is advisable that you check if you are eligible to join the GPhC register before sending us your application, as it helps speed up the whole process. However, this is not essential and our team will be happy to advise you accordingly depending on your situation and experience.

Once the GPhC receive your application, the applications team will assess the information you provide in your form to make sure it is complete. They aim to process your application within 28 days of receiving it, if it is complete. They will let you know via email if they need you to provide more information.

If your application for recognition is successful and the GPhC assess that your qualification entitles you to automatic recognition, they will email to let you know that you are eligible to apply to register with the GPhC.

Documents that will be requested by your allocated recruitment consultant. These documents are not essential to apply in the first instance. Once your application is accepted your Recruitment Consultant will let you know when they need it.

  • Self Declaration
  • Pre-interview quiz confirmation (preferably a screenshot)

Your NHS Trust will apply for this on your behalf, as they will be acting as your sponsor. You must have a Certificate of Sponsorship (C0S) to apply for your Visa and has a validity of 3 years (it can then be renewed).

As a healthcare professional, you will be entitled to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa. Our NHS Trusts are mostly happy to refund all Visa costs, but note that this might not always be the case. Your Visa usually takes around 3 to 4 weeks to be processed.

Upon receipt of your visa NEU Professionals will book your flight to the United Kingdom and will arrange transport from the airport to your accommodation. A Trust representative will receive you with open arms and a warm welcome.

Once the GPhC has received your completed registration application and payment of both the application and registration fees, they will add your name to the register.

Your name will be shown on the online register. They will also send you a ‘notice of entry’ letter by email to confirm that you have been added to the register, and you may officially call yourself a U.K. Pharmacist!

Congratulations!

NON E.E.A. CANDIDATES
Average time of 23-26 months until registration as a pharmacist. If you apply from a non-EEA country, your application might not be considered for this process. We encourage you to still apply in the following link and if a position becomes available, we will contact you. Thank you. https://neuprofessionals.com/register/

Working at the NHS

The NHS understands that employees’ growth and development are crucial to their success. They offer extensive training and development opportunities to help Pharmacists build their skills and advance their careers. The NHS trusts also offer competitive salaries and benefits, including generous holiday allowances, enhanced NHS pension schemes, and health insurance.

Why choose NEU Profesionals

NEU Professionals Limited, International Healthcare Recruitment Agency headquartered in London

NEU Professionals is an international healthcare recruitment agency based in London and operating since 2013. We take pride in our ethical recruitment and excellent pastoral care, as well as our fantastic international team who truly care about what they do.

Our client list spreads the length and breadth of the country with a huge diversity of locations and specialities to offer our candidates. We are fully accredited as an NHS recruitment partner and are pre-approved as a framework supplier to the NHS across England and Wales.

Our services are COMPLETELY FREE FOR OUR CANDIDATES AT ALL TIMES and we are bound by a regulatory code of ethics that ensures the wellbeing of our candidates.

Relocating to a new country is a big decision and you don’t have to do this alone. NEU Professionals can guide you through the process completely free of charge. We are an ethical recruiter with over 10 years of experience in International Healthcare Recruitment who takes pride in their individualised candidate care and will assist you in all steps of the process, from pre-employment checks up to 12 months after arrival.

Other benefits of using NEU Professionals to guide you through your relocation journey are:

  • The candidate’s well-being is at the heart of everything we do.
  • If something doesn’t go to plan during the process, we take matters into our own hands and represent candidates in front authorities such as UKVI or the NMC.
  • We adhere to NHSE, Immigration and other relevant recruitment rules and laws.