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.
| Award Name | Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 5 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 5 NFQ |
Duration
1 year
Entry Requirements
Leaving Cert or LCA
Mature Students of all backgrounds
Other equivalent qualification
Apply directly on www.dunboynecollege.ie
All applicants will be interviewed regardless of previous qualifications.
Apply directly at www.dunboynecollege.ie
Careers / Further progression
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), TUD, Dundalk Institute of Technology, University of Limerick, Technological University of the Shannon Athlone, UCC, NUIG, South East Technological University Carlow, Marino Institute of Education, Dun Laoghaire IADT, Atlantic Technological University St. Angela’s College Sligo / Letterkenny / Galway Mayo Institute of Technology, University of Limerick, Munster Technological University Tralee, Pharmacy Technician courses or to health or arts courses in UCD, Maynooth University, TUD City Campus or UCC.
Employment opportunities
Students may seek immediate employment in pharmacies or a range of companies and projects that seek graduates with a health, science or pharmacy aptitude.
EXAMPLES OF HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRESSION:
TUD City Campus: TU654 Pharmacy Technician (Level 6, 2 Years)
SETU Waterford: SE511 Pharmaceutical Science (Level 7, 3 years)
MTU Tralee: MT872 Pharmaceutical Science (Level 8, 4 Years)
SETU Carlow: SE937 Pharmacy Technician Studies (Level 6, 2 Years)
TUS Athlone: US660 Pharmacy Technician (Level 6, 2 Years)
Further information
MATURE STUDENTS SUPPORT
The college welcomes adults over 23 who wish to return to education and who wish to retrain in new skills and technologies. Our mature learners enjoy the following supports in addition to the overall supports provided to all students:
• Mature student meet and greet before the college year begins.
• A dedicated mature student room where mature students can meet and work with fellow mature students.
• Tea and coffee making facilities are available in the Mature Student room daily.
• A mature student officer available for guidance and support.
• Academic support tailored to ensuring the smooth transition to DCFE.
• Coffee Mornings in the mature student room.
• Guest speakers from past mature learners.
• Career guidance talks tailored to mature links.
• A dedicated induction process for mature entry.
• Workshops in exam study, time management, presentation skills, IT skills, referring and research techniques, etc.
• Basic computer skills workshops.
• Organised social events for mature learners.
• We look forward to welcoming our future mature learners to Dunboyne College.
For all courses in 2024/25, course fees are now a non-refundable €30 administration fee. The course fee must be paid to secure your place, you can pay this fee through our website. More information can be found here.
You can access your application details via the Dunboyne College website (click Login/Pay Fees in the menu at the top of the page) using your ID number and password.
No cash will be accepted at the office. Payments can be made online or by cheque (payable to Dunboyne College of Further Education), by bank draft or by postal order only.
SUSI Grant
SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) is Ireland’s single national awarding authority for all higher and further education grants. SUSI offers funding to eligible students for level 5 and level 6 courses in Dunboyne College of Further Education. For more information visit www.susi.ie
Application Procedure
1. Applications can be made online at www.dunboynecollege.ie. from November 2023 to September 2024.
2. After registering online, students will receive a text and email to notify them they have pre-registered and can log in to view and track their application.
Applications now open
Apply online www.dunboynecollege.ie
Once we receive your application we will email you requesting:
Photograph Reference Interviews
Recent academic results Personal Statement
Interview
All applicants will be interviewed. Some additional requirements may apply depending on your course choice.
When you receive an offer please confirm it by the deadline.
3. Applicants will be notifi ed by text and email of a request to upload further information for their application:
(i). Copy of most recent school report or examination results
(ii). Reference from teacher, employer or coach.
(iii). 100-word personal statement on
“Why this course is right for me,” which should outline reasons for choosing the course.
(iv) Photograph
4. Interviews will take place for all courses.
5. Successful applicants will then be able to complete the registration process.
6. Late applicants can apply online for vacant places at any time until the end of September 2024.
7. A grant can be applied for from www.susi.ie.
8. A separate process for applicants to the Early Learning and Care courses (formerly Childcare courses) applies. Other courses may have additional entry requirements including auditions etc, please refer to the entry requirements for the courses of your choice.
9. Applicants for the Apprenticeships in Hairdressing and Accounting Technician should note that there is a difference system for applying. Please refer to the information listed for these apprenticeships.
10. Applications will be processed in line with DCFE Admission Policy.
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.
The following is an overview of the modules that have been offered on this course, these are subject to QQI requirements and college resources:
Pharmacy Studies – Theory and Practice
Over-the-Counter Medicines
Infection Prevention and Control
Work Experience
Anatomy and Physiology
Word Processing
Nutrition
Mathematics
Medical Terminology
Customer Service
Retail Selling
Safety & Health at Work
Assessment
Most courses will be assessed through continuous assessment. This means that modules are assessed with a combination of exams and assignments. Assignments can take various forms, including written projects, reports, essays, skills demonstrations, oral presentations or electronic work. Results for exams and assignments are combined to give the overall result for the module.
5M4468 - Community Health Services
Certification
QQI Level 5 in Community and Health Services 5M4468
Dunboyne Business Park, Dunboyne, Co. Meath, A86 FH01
Phone: (01) 8026577
Email: DunboyneCollege@LMETB.ie
www.dunboynecollege.ie