Higher Certificate In Science - Pharmacy Technician Studies

Course details

What is the Pharmacy Technician Studies course about?

Today’s Pharmacy Technician has assumed a position that supports and enhances the progressive direction taken by pharmacies. The Pharmacy Technician is a key member of the pharmacy staff, involved in assuring the smooth uninterrupted functioning of pharmacy services assisting the Pharmacist in the preparation, checking, storage and the dispensing of drugs. The Pharmacy Technician course prepares the student with both administrative and clinical skills for a position in the retail or hospital environment. The course provides the student with the theory and hands-on applications required to demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles and practices of pharmacy.

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

Graduates from this course will work in either community or hospital based pharmacies and will become active participants in this growing field. Graduates have also gone on to work with pharmacy wholesalers and as sales representatives with drug companies. Graduates will be able to apply for registration as pharmacy technicians in the UK.

What follow-on study opportunities are available?

Graduates of this course have gone on to study pharmacy in Ireland, Northern Ireland and the UK. Pharmacy Degree courses and may also progress onto a range of science programmes at IT Carlow.

For further information please contact the Course Director.

What subjects will I study?

In the first year, students will have lectures in IT Carlow while also, on a weekly basis, spending time working in a pharmacy on work experience. The course content includes Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Human Physiology - which is the study of how the body functions. Drug Actions and Uses is a major subject during which students gain an appreciation of human diseases and the drugs used in the treatment of these diseases. Formulation and Compounding is a specialist subject looking at how drugs are made. Students will cover Pharmaceutical Calculations and Computing as well as examining how drugs are safely used and dispensed in Regulations and Dispensing. They will also develop skills in the administration of a functioning pharmacy.

Students are required to complete a fulltime work placement module between first and second year. This work may be based in either hospital or community pharmacy.It will give the students an opportunity to gain the hands-on experience needed to fully complement their academic studies.

Students on the Pharmacy Technician course are eligible for student membership of National Association of Hospital Pharmacy Technicians (NAHPT) and the Irish Association of Community Pharmacy Technicians (IACPT). Students will also study the various roles and duties of the Hospital Pharmacy Technician. 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.

Year 1

Mandatory Subjects

• Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Formulation & Compounding
• Human Physiology
• Drug Actions and Uses 1
• Regulations and Dispensing
• Pharmaceutical Calculations and Computing
• Pharmacy Administration & Work Placement
• Over The Counter
• Communication, Innovation & Team Work

 Year 2

Mandatory Subjects

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

What are the minimum entry requirements?

Leaving Certificate: 5 subjects at Ordinary Level Grade D3 or better.

Subjects required: English or Irish at Ordinary Level Grade D3 or better and Mathematics at Ordinary Level Grade D3 or better.

Mature applicants: will be interviewed and assessed on an individual basis.