A pharmacy technician is a key member of the pharmacy team, involved in assuring the smooth and safe functioning of pharmacy services by assisting the pharmacist in the preparation, checking, storage and dispensing of drugs.
Course Structure
This two-year level 6 programme offers a blend of academic knowledge, hands-on experience and real-world training to allow the pharmacy technician assist in the safe dispensing of medicines. Students are in college three days a week for lectures and practical. In addition, in Year 1 they are on weekly placement in a retail pharmacy and in Year 2 on a six-month work placement in a hospital or community pharmacy.
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 placement 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.
Students can progress to an add-on year to complete the BSc Pharmacy Technician Studies at SETU Carlow. This Level 7 programme is delivered on both a full-time and a part-time basis.
Year 1
Semester 1
Semester 2
Drugs and How They Work 1 (M)
Drugs and How They Work 2 (M)
Human Physiology (M)
Formulation and Compounding 1 (M)
Over the Counter Preparations (M)
Pharmacy Administration and Work Placement (M)
Pharmaceutical Calculations and Computing (M)
Regulations and Dispensing (M)
Pharmaceutical Chemistry (M)
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
Year 2
Semester 3
Semester 4
Work Placement Pharmacy Technician (M)
Aseptic Techniques (M)
Drug Actions and Uses (M)
Formulation and Compounding 2 (M)
Pharmacy Practice (M)
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
What are the minimum entry requirements?
5O6/H7
English or IrishO6/H7
Mathematics O6/H7
Garda vetting required
What follow-on study opportunities are available?
Graduates of Pharmacy Technician Studies may go on to study a Level 7 in BSc in Pharmacy Technician Studies at SETU Carlow campus or another third level institution.
What exemptions will I receive?
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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.
