• » Higher Certificate in Science (Pharmacy Technician)

    Programme Title  Higher Certificate in Science (Pharmacy Technician)
    CAO Code  Part-Time, not available via CAO
    LYIT internal code  LY_SPHRM_C
    Duration  3 years part-time
    Standard Code Places:  16
    National Framework Level  6
    Mature Applicant Places  
    Foundation Places  
    Award Type  Major
    Awarding Body  LYIT, under Delegated Authority from HETAC
    Is this Programme for Me?
    This is a three year part-time programme in science – Pharmacy Technician. It is open to applicants who have either
    • been in receipt of Social Welfare payments for the last six months or more
    • work experience in a pharmacy setting, currently or previously, and who wish to gain a formal qualification in the area (people currently in employment will be liable for fees)
    The programme will be delivered over six semesters, one to one and a half days per week depending on the number of modules, allowing students to gain their qualification in three years. The main aim of the course is to produce graduates with the required theoretical and hands-on skills to allow them to work in a pharmacy setting and to contribute effectively to the pharmacy.
    The course involves a placement element consisting of a one day placement per week in each of semesters 2, 4, 5, and 6 in a pharmacy setting. It is intended that placements will be in both community and hospital pharmacies.
    Minimum Academic Entry Requirements
    All applicants will be interviewed in order to assess suitability for the course.
    Applications are welcome from persons who are over 23 years of age (by January 1st in the year of entry) who do not hold a Leaving Certificate and these will be treated as having applied on the basis of Maturity as well as any other qualification that they may possess.
    Applicants under the age of 23 must have obtained at least five passes in the Leaving Certificate including the following subjects:
    • English or Irish at 0D3 or higher (not Foundation Level Irish).
    • Maths at 0D3 or higher, or Higher Level at grade E or higher or B2 or higher in Foundation Maths.
    • At least 3 other subjects at 0D3 or higher of which one must be a laboratory based science subject.
    What will I have to study?
    Year/SemesterProposed Modules,
    subject to approval    		Mandatory/
    Elective    		No of creditsClass hours per week
     1/1  Chemistry Mandatory  5  4
     Biological Science Mandatory  5  4
     Introduction to Pharmacology Mandatory  5  3
     1/2  Information Technology Mandatory  5  3
     Applied Physiology 1 Mandatory  5  3
      Pharmacy Practice 1 Mandatory  5  3
      Work Placement 1 Mandatory  10  1 days per week
     2/1  Organic and Applied Chemistry Mandatory  5  4
     Drugs Action and Usage 1 Mandatory  10  4
     2/2  Pharmacy Practice 2 Mandatory  5  3
     Applied Physiology 2 Mandatory  5  3
     Work Placement 2 Mandatory  10  1 days per week
     3/1  Formulation & Compounding Mandatory  5  3
     Drugs Action & Usage 2 Mandatory  5  3
     Pharmacy Business Management Mandatory  5  3
     Work Placement 3 Mandatory  10  1 days per week
     3/2  Pharmacy Practice 3 Mandatory  5  3
     Pharmaceutical Chemistry Mandatory  5  4
     Work Placement 4 Mandatory  10  1 days per week
    Learning Outcomes
    On completion of this programme, the graduate will be able to:
    • Demonstrate an understanding of pharmacy administration
    • Understand the mechanisms involved in drug interactions and drug side-effects
    • Communicate effectively and competently with pharmacy customers
    • Know how biochemistry and microbiology are related to pharmacy practice
    • Understand the legal requirements and health and Safety and environmental issues when working in a pharmacy
    • Understand the relationship between drug quality, expiration dating and analysis
    Are there follow-up Programmes Available?
    At present pharmacy technicians with a level 6 qualification may apply for positions within the HSE as pharmacy technicians. The programme may open opportunities for graduates to apply to MPharm programmes in the UK via UCAS.
    Fees and Support
    Further information on fees and support can be found at www.studentfinance.ie
    Career Opportunities
    Currently, and for the foreseeable future, employment prospects for pharmacy technicians are good as graduates will find employment in both community-based pharmacies and the public and private hospital sectors. They can also expect to find employment in the pharmaceutical industry.
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
    • Contact: Dr Anne Nelson Head of Department of Science, Letterkenny Institute of Technology by
    • E- Mail: anne.nelson@lyit.ie
    • Telephone: (074) 918 6302