Higher Certificate in Science - Pharmacy Technician Studies at Institute of Technology Carlow

A pharmacy technician is a key member of the pharmacy staff, involved in assuring the smooth functioning of pharmacy services by assisting the pharmacist in the preparation, checking, storage and dispensing of drugs.

This course offers a blend of academic knowledge, hands-on experience and real-world training. The course addresses:

• Pharmaceutical chemistry and human physiology - the study of how the body functions
• Drug actions and uses- understanding human diseases and the drugs used to treat these diseases
• Formulation and compounding - understanding how drugs are made and the regulations surrounding safe dispensing.

Students attend lectures and also spend time on a weekly basis in a pharmacy on work experience.

Students benefit from a six-month full-time work placement in second year in either hospital or community pharmacy.

Special Features:

• Weekly work experience 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.