Higher Certificate in Science - Pharmacy Technician Studies CW116

  • NFQ Level 6
  • CW116
  • 36
  • 250
  • 2 Years
  • Overview
  • Further Studies
  • Career Prospects
  • Entry Requirements
  • Subjects
  • Enquiries

What is the Course about?

A pharmacy technician is a key member of the pharmacy staff, involved in assuring the smooth functioning of pharmacy services by assisting the pharmacist in the preparation, checking, storage and dispensing of drugs.

Course Structure

This course offers a blend of academic knowledge, hands-on experience and real-world training. The course addresses:

  • Pharmaceutical chemistry and human physiology - the study of how the body functions
  • Drug actions and uses - understanding human diseases and the drugs used to treat these diseases
  • Formulation and compounding - understanding how drugs are made and the regulations surrounding safe dispensing.

Students attend lectures and also spend time on a weekly basis in a pharmacy on work experience.

In Year 2 students benefit from a sixmonth work placement in a hospital or community pharmacy.

The course includes practical classes for the application of knowledge in an applied environment. 

Is this course for you?

If you have an interest in the health and well being of people, and would like to work in pharmacy services, then this course is an excellent choice. Good communication skills and attention to detail are necessary qualities.

Special Features:

  • Weekly work experience throughout the course.
  • Six month full-time work placement in second year at either a retail or hospital pharmacy. As part of the work placement module students may work abroad for eight weeks under the supervision of registered pharmacists.
  • Participation in conferences, poster competitions and lectures by guest speakers from the pharmacy industry will ensure that students are well grounded in all areas of work available to pharmacy technicians.
  • Students are eligible for student membership of the National Association of Hospital Pharmacy Technicians (NAHPT) and the Irish Association of Community Pharmacy Technicians (IACPT). Graduates will be able to apply for registration as Pharmacy Technicians in the UK.

What follow-on study opportunities are available?

Graduates of Pharmacy Technician Studies may go on to study a Level 7 in this area. Some graduates have progressed to year 2 of Bachelor of Science (Honours) Common Entry (CEY) CW108 at Institute of Technology Carlow.

What exemptions will I receive?

-

Notes

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What will I be able to do when I finish the course?

Graduates are employed as pharmacy technicians in community and hospital settings.

What are the minimum entry requirements?

Leaving Certificate:

  • 5O6/H7

Subjects required:

  • English or Irish  O6/H7
  • Mathematics O6/H7

Other:

Garda vetting required.

Subjects

Year 1

Mandatory
Regulations and Dispensing
Human Physiology
Drug Actions and Uses 1
Pharm Chemistry, Form & Comp
Pharm Admin & Work Placement
Over the Counter
Pharm Calculations & Computing


Year 2

Mandatory
Pharmacy Practice
Drug Actions and Uses 2
Aseptic Techniques
Formulation Compounding
Work Placement


For Further Information Contact

Programme Director
Dr Dina Brazil
BA Mod, MA (TL), PhD
E: dina.brazil@itcarlow.ie