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There are no set entry requirements to become a caretaker although employers usually ask for experience of caretaking work. They may ask for knowledge of health and health safety. It may be an advantage to have relevant qualifications in, for example, cleaning. You need a good standard of numeracy and literacy. Employers may ask for GCSEs in English and maths. Employers may ask for a full driving licence. When you start work as a caretaker in the NHS, you will get the training you need. This includes health and safety and manual handling. You may be expected to go on short courses on particular topics such as infection control or dealing with hazardous waste.

Caretakers working in the NHS are paid on the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay system. You will typically start on AfC band 2. With further training and experience, you could apply for more senior positions with broader responsibilities.Caretakers in the NHS work standard hours of around 37.5 a week. Some may work shifts including early starts and evenings. Terms and conditions will usually be different for caretakers working outside of the NHS.

Caretakers need to be willing to do tasks as needed, physically fit for moving, lifting, bending, etc, responsible for their own work, willing to work alone if necessary, very health and safety aware and methodical and reliable. They also need good organisational, practical and communication skills.

With experience, a caretaker could become a team leader supervising other caretaking staff, possibly across several sites. There may be opportunities to move into other estates services roles or into a support role. There are opportunities outside the NHS.

You need to study for an accredited qualification such as a BTEC National Diploma in pharmaceutical science, NVQ/SVQ level 3 in pharmacy services or a National Certificate in pharmaceutical science. To apply for a course, you need to be working in a pharmacy. Employers, including the NHS, offer jobs for trainee pharmacy technicians (or dispensing assistants). Employers usually ask for at least 4 GCSEs (9-4/A*-C), including English, maths and science or equivalent qualifications. A level 3 apprenticeship for pharmacy technicians is also available. It will help your application for a course or apprenticeship if you can show that you have an understanding of pharmacy and how it benefits patients. It is a good idea to spend some time with a registered pharmacist to see what the work is like.

Pharmacy technicians working in the NHS will work standard hours of around 37.5 a week which may include shifts. Newly-qualified pharmacy technicians will usually start in the NHS at band 4 of the Agenda for Change pay scale. Terms and conditions can vary for pharmacy technicians outside of the NHS, including those working in high street and retail pharmacies.

Pharmacy technicians need to be accurate and methodical, have an attention to detail, be able to read and carry out instructions and interested in people’s health. You'll need communication, customer service, science, IT and organisation skills.

With experience, you could specialise in a particular area of practice such as mental health, oncology (cancer treatment) or paediatrics. Or you could specialise in areas such as medicines management, manufacturing, quality control, education and training, information technology, supplies procurement, clinical trials or medicine information services. You could also take additional training to extend your practice to include additional responsibilities. You could become a senior pharmacy technician, responsible for the work of other technicians. A chief pharmacy technician is responsible for the day-to-day management of a pharmacy department.