Course Title: Higher Certificate in Pharmacy Technician Studies
Course Description
The pharmacy technician studies course has been a winner of GradIreland AHECS Employability Award 2023, National DELTA (Disciplinary Excellence in Learning, Teaching and Assessment) Award for 2021-2024, DELTA Award for 2018-2021 and TU Dublin Le Chéile Award 2021.
This course prepares students for a profession as a Pharmacy Technician, and is completed in one year. It is a shortened version of the two year Higher Certificate in Science in Pharmacy Technician Studies (TU654), and has been designed for students with significant prior learning in Science. It develops practical, professional and academic skills required to assist in the various activities of the pharmacy, not requiring the professional judgement of the pharmacist. These skills include knowledge of prescription and non-prescription medicines, and how they are formulated and used to treat illnesses.
Students will develop medical knowledge to recognise common illnesses and communication skills to liaise with pharmacists and counsel patients on healthcare issues, including the various healthcare schemes available in Ireland. Students will gain experience in dispensing procedures and practices and be able to interpret prescriptions and prepare medicines for dispensing. They will be able to maintain patient records and operate pharmacy computer systems. They will also be able to supply non-prescription medicines in accordance with legislation and guidelines.
Study abroad opportunities
Students can avail of up to two months’ work placement in a pharmacy abroad.
To qualify for Advanced Entry applicants must be currently studying, completing, or have successfully completed, studies at Level 6, 7 or 8 in a Higher Education Institution (HEI) or an equivalent, in Science or an equivalent and must demonstrate considerable prior knowledge in Science. Applications will be evaluated on a case by case basis.You must demonstrate by providing transcripts of results that you have achieved the learning outcomes for each stage you wish to advance past, for example:
- To enter Year 2 via Advanced Entry, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Year 1.
- For entry to Year 3, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Years 1 and 2.
- For entry to Year 4, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Years 1, 2, and 3.
If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website.
Garda Vetting
Garda Vetting through TU Dublin Required – see tudublin.ie/gardavetting for more information
Graduate Job Title
- Pharmacy Technician
Graduate Employers
- Community Pharmacies
- Hospital Pharmacies
What the industry says
Pharmacy technicians are essential to the effective, efficient and safe running of hospital pharmacy services. They work with pharmacists to manage the purchasing, storage, supply and distribution of medicines to all the wards and departments in the hospital, thereby ensuring patients receive the medicines they need during their hospital stay. They also work in the hospital’s aseptic compounding unit, preparing doses of medicines for patients. As hospital pharmacy services become more complex, the opportunities for pharmacy technicians are changing and expanding. Graduates from TU Dublin are consistently well prepared to work as pharmacy technicians and to contribute to the ongoing development of hospital pharmacy services.
Semester 1
- Basic business with IT Skills [Mandatory]
- Professional Development e-Portfolio for Pharmacy Technicians II [Mandatory]
- Nutrition and Health Studies [Mandatory]
- Pharmaceutical Formulation Pharmacy Technician [Mandatory]
- Pharmacy Work Placement 1 [Mandatory]
- Basic Pharmaceutical Microbiology I [Mandatory]
- Pharmacy Practice I [Mandatory]
- Pharmacy Practice 2 [Mandatory]
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics [Mandatory]
Semester 2
Advanced Entry applications are accepted to this course. For further information on how to make an Advanced Entry application, please visit our CAO Hub. A full list of courses open for Advanced Entry are listed on the CAO website.
Finding the TU657 course is what gave me the push to pursue a career as a Pharmacy Technician. If this one-year programme had not been an option, I would not be a qualified Pharmacy Technician today. I decided to leave my full-time job in the pharmaceutical industry to take one year out to study, if it had have been the usual 2 years, this would not have been possible for me. Many of the lecturers were Pharmacists which was a plus as they were very helpful. I can’t recommend this course enough, if the criteria is right for you, either as a stepping stone in your career or to get you where you want to be as a Pharmacy Technician. I am now currently working in St. James’ Hospital as a Pharmacy Technician; this is also where I completed my work placement.
Progression opportunities for further study exist, including Pharmacy Degree in the UK and Ireland, and NFQ Level 7 or Level 8 pharmaceutical and scientific degree programmes at TU Dublin or other higher education institutions. Students who attain an Upper Merit are eligible to transfer to TU875 BSc Pharmaceutical Healthcare.