Healthcare Department

WHAT IS PHARMACY ASSISTANT?

This one-year course will equip learners with the relevant knowledge and experience to work as a pharmacy counter assistant or pursue a pharmacy technician qualification in the future. From dispensing over-the-counter medications, helping clients choose medical aids and appliances to demonstrating and selling products, this course covers the most relevant skills. This course will also focus on a range of health related subjects relevant to employment as a pharmacy assistant. Work experience is within a retail pharmacy where, as a pharmacy assistant, you can work as part of a team of health professionals in order to help customers achieve the best possible health outcome.

CERTIFICATION

• QQI Level 5 in Community and Health Services 5M4468
• Irish Pharmacy Union: Medical Counter Assistant

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates may pursue pharmacy work, or work as sales assistants in health stores etc. This course is aimed at those interested in working in a community pharmacy or for those wishing to progress to a year two (part-time) Pharmacy Technician course.

Students may also progress to participating Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) through the QQI Higher Education Links Scheme to (for example) DCU, UCD, Maynooth University (incl. Kilkenny Campus), TU Dublin, Dundalk Institute of Technology, University of Limerick, Athlone IT, UCC, NUIG, Carlow IT, Carlow College, Marino Institute of Education, Dun Laoghaire IADT, St. Angela’s College Sligo, University of Limerick, Tralee IT, Letterkenny IT, Galway Mayo Institute of Technology or on the Carlow IT Pharmacy Technician courses or to health or arts courses in UCD, Maynooth University, TU Dublin – City Campus or UCC.

Alternatively, students may seek immediate employment in a range of companies and projects that seek graduates with a health, science or pharmacy aptitude.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Leaving Cert or LCA
• Mature students of all backgrounds
• Other equivalent qualification

All applicants will be interviewed regardless of previous qualifications.

Apply directly using the button below.