Megan Halliburton, Pharmacy Technician

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What I do

My job is to manage the medicines in a hospital, making sure each ward has got the supplies they need and that patients’ records are correct.

I also talk to patients about the medicines they take at home and how to use their medication safely.

I help people who feel confused about their medicines – for example showing them how to use inhalers or making simple plans so they take tablets at the right time. What I do helps patients feel more confident and stay well when they go home.

Pharmacy Technician Megan, wearing a healthcare tunic, organising medicines in a long drawer, opened from a wall-sized bank of drawers.

How I became a technician

At school, I chose GCSEs in double science, health and social care, history and photography.

I liked health and social care because I knew I wanted to work with people, but I didn’t know exactly what job.

How I became a technician

After school, I went to college and did a BTEC in health and social care for two years. After that, I tried different things to figure out my path.

I did a nurse cadet placement, which helped me realise I didn’t want to be a nurse. I also tried a dental nursing apprenticeship but didn’t enjoy it.

How I became a technician

After that, I worked in a Boots pharmacy as a pharmacy assistant. I learnt how to dispense medicines, and I spoke to patients when buying their over-the-counter medicines.

I also looked after some care homes and helped to supply their medications.

How I became a technician

Later, I got a place at the hospital as a student pharmacy technician.

I completed a two-year apprenticeship and after qualifying, I became a fully registered pharmacy technician. I’ve been here nearly five years now.

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A typical day in my working life

I usually start work at 8:30am. I work on the wards full time. The first thing we do is have a team meeting, to look at how busy the hospital is and how many patients we need to see.

Then, I check medicine orders for each ward – making sure individual patients have the medicine they need, like pain relief or blood pressure tablets.

A typical day in my working life

After that, I plan my day by reviewing each patient’s information on the computer. I look at something called an SBAR – that stands for Situation, Background, Assessment and Recommendations.

It helps me understand why each patient is in hospital and what their healthcare plan is while they are with us.

A typical day in my working life

Then, I go onto the wards and speak to patients. I ask what medicines they take at home and check this matches their records.

If something doesn’t match, I investigate and update it. I also help patients understand their treatment, like explaining what each medicine does or how to take it.

A typical day in my working life

Throughout the day, I also check controlled drugs, help with discharges and answer questions from pharmacists and doctors.

I usually finish around 4:30pm, or later if I’m on a late shift.

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Pharmacy Technician Megan, wearing a healthcare tunic, looking in a ring binder of medical records,

What I love about my job

The best part is helping patients feel more confident, more in control and less confused. I see a lot of people who come into hospital and feel overwhelmed.

When I can explain things clearly and give them simple tools to manage their medicines, it makes a big difference.

I also enjoy helping families, especially when someone in their family is struggling and they are a carer for them. Knowing I’ve made things easier for them is the most rewarding part.

The skills I use most

People skills are the most important. I talk to patients, families, doctors and nurses every day, so I need to be friendly, clear and confident. I also need to be compassionate because some people are unwell or worried.

Attention to detail is crucial. I’m checking medicines and doses, so everything has to be accurate. Problem solving is another big part – for example, if someone can’t swallow tablets, I might suggest smaller tablets or liquid versions instead.

I also need confidence to speak up if something isn’t right, even to doctors, plus good organisation skills to manage a very busy workload!

The best part is helping patients feel more confident, more in control and less confused. Knowing I’ve made things easier for them is the most rewarding part.

Try different things, don’t worry if something isn’t right for you and remember that exam results don’t define you. There are always other routes and second chances.

A little more about my everyday role

The best bits about working in a team

I work in a team of over ten medicines management technicians. Some have been here for over 20 years, so there’s a lot of experience to learn from.

I’m one of the newest, so it’s great having people to ask for advice. Everyone supports each other and we share knowledge. It makes the job easier and more enjoyable knowing you’re not on your own.

My favourite piece of equipment

One of the most useful tools are the electronic charting and patient record systems. They show a patient’s medicine and medical history all in one place.

It helps me compare what a GP has prescribed to a patient, with what they actually take. Without these systems, it would be much harder to spot mistakes or missing information.

What I like to do in my spare time

Outside of work, I go to the gym every day. I also enjoy fell walking with my partner – I’m lucky to live near the Lake District, so there are lots of great places to explore. I also like socialising with my friends and going to concerts.

My school days

At school, I enjoyed practical subjects more than academic ones. I wasn’t very confident with exams and sometimes worried about what I’d do in the future.

I liked being active and social – I was a keen swimmer and I was also part of Girl Guides.

The most exciting thing I’ve achieved so far in my job

Getting to where I am now is my biggest achievement. I used to worry because I didn’t feel very academic, but I’ve built my career step by step.

Completing my apprenticeship and becoming a fully qualified technician showed me I could succeed in my own way through just practical work. I’m proud that I’ve got here through hard work and experience.

A surprising fact about my job

Patients don’t always take the medicines listed on their records. Sometimes they’ve stopped taking them months ago because they don’t understand what it does, or they simply struggle to use it.

That’s why my role is so important – I help make sure everything is accurate and safe.

The next steps in my career journey

For now, I’m gaining experience in different areas like elderly care and respiratory care (which relates to the lungs and cardio system). I rotate between departments, which helps me learn new skills.

In the future, I’d like to keep developing and maybe specialise further within medicines management.

The advice I’d give to someone younger

You don’t have to have everything figured out straight away. At school and college, I didn’t know what I wanted to do and that was okay.

Try different things, don’t worry if something isn’t right for you and remember that exam results don’t define you. There are always other routes and second chances.