Hiring and Sponsoring Pharmaceutical technicians (SOC Code 3212)

Pharmaceutical Technicians, classified under SOC Code 3212, are vital professionals in the healthcare sector who play a key role in the preparation and dispensing of medications. Their responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Checking received prescriptions for legality and accuracy.
• Preparing drugs and medicines under the supervision of a pharmacist.
• Creating specialised, tailor-made drugs for intravenous administration by hospital medical staff.
• Labeling and checking items prior to dispensing to ensure safety and correctness.
• Maintaining records of prescriptions received and drugs issued for accountability and traceability.
• Advising patients or customers on the use of drugs prescribed or medication purchased over the counter, thereby improving patient education and compliance.
• Checking stock levels, ordering new stock from pharmaceutical companies, and ensuring that drugs are stored appropriately to meet safety standards.

Given the increasing demand for healthcare services, the need for skilled pharmaceutical technicians continues to rise in the UK. This guide will assist HR professionals in navigating the process of hiring and sponsoring pharmaceutical technicians under the UK’s immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Pharmaceutical technicians?

SOC Code 3212 refers to pharmaceutical technicians who assist pharmacists in the preparation and dispensing of medications. Their responsibilities can include:

• Checking prescriptions: Verifying received prescriptions for legality and accuracy.
• Preparing medications: Compounding and preparing drugs and medicines under the supervision of a pharmacist.
• Creating specialized drugs: Formulating tailor-made medications for intravenous administration as required by hospital medical staff.
• Labeling and checking: Ensuring all items are accurately labeled and verified before dispensing.
• Maintaining records: Keeping detailed records of prescriptions received and drugs issued to ensure compliance and tracking.
• Advising patients: Providing information and guidance to patients or customers regarding the use of prescribed drugs and over-the-counter medications.
• Managing inventory: Checking stock levels, ordering new supplies from pharmaceutical companies, and ensuring proper storage of medications.

Pharmaceutical technicians play a vital role in the healthcare industry, ensuring the safe and effective use of medications and contributing to patient care.

Eligibility to Hire Pharmaceutical technicians (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Pharmaceutical technicians must possess specific qualifications and skills to perform their duties effectively. These may include:

• Educational Background: A diploma or certification in pharmacy technology or a related field; formal education is often necessary.
• Licensure: Valid certification as a pharmacy technician in accordance with state regulations.
• Attention to Detail: Strong ability to identify and rectify discrepancies in prescriptions to ensure accuracy and legality.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in preparing medications and understanding pharmaceuticals, especially for intravenous administration.
• Communication Skills: Ability to advise patients or customers clearly on medication usage and answer questions regarding prescriptions or over-the-counter drugs.
• Record Keeping: Experience in maintaining meticulous records of prescriptions received and drugs dispensed to ensure compliance and accountability.
• Inventory Management: Skills in monitoring stock levels, placing orders with suppliers, and ensuring proper storage conditions for pharmaceuticals.

Ensure the job requirements align with SOC Code 3212 and that the candidate's experience and qualifications meet the expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Pharmaceutical technicians: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Pharmaceutical technicians under SOC Code 3212.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Pharmaceutical technicians, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Pharmaceutical technicians under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Pharmaceutical technicians. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Pharmaceutical technicians applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Pharmaceutical technicians’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Pharmaceutical technicians can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Pharmaceutical technicians

Before the Pharmaceutical technicians begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Pharmaceutical technicians’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Pharmaceutical technicians holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Pharmaceutical technicians’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Pharmaceutical technicians’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Pharmaceutical technicianss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Pharmaceutical technicians

Sponsoring Pharmaceutical technicians under SOC Code 3212 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Pharmaceutical technicians, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Pharmaceutical technicians under SOC Code 3212 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.