Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
•   Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
•   Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Working Life

Pharmacy assistants’ duties are similar to those of sales assistants’ in many ways as they handle payments, serve customers and recommend products. However, because pharmacies sell healthcare and medical products, the role of a pharmacy assistant is a little different and typically require some training.

Tasks include taking in prescriptions from customers to pass on to the pharmacist and finding out information so that you can help deal with their medical queries.

You will recommend appropriate grooming and skincare products to clients so you need a good level of knowledge of the different products being sold. You also need to be able to identify when a question is health related so that you can refer customer to the pharmacist for expert advice.

A pharmacy assistant also undertakes stock rotation and merchandising, selects and assembles stock items for delivery to customers and monitors and maintains stocks of items for sale.

Pharmacy assistants must be open to working some late nights and weekends. Employment opportunities for pharmacy assistants can be found in pharmacies and health care facilities.

Every member of staff who deals with customers’ 'personal data', such as names and addresses, or who process payment card transactions, need to have some knowledge of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). It is the responsibility of the employer to give job-specific information on GDPR in their organisation. You can read more about data protection in the workplace here.  

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Greet customers and help them locate merchandise.
• Accept prescriptions for filling, gathering and processing necessary information.
• Operate cash register to process cash or credit sales.
• Answer telephone inquiries, referring callers to pharmacist when necessary.
• Receive, store, and inventory pharmaceutical supplies or medications, check for out-of-date medications, and notify pharmacist when inventory levels are low.
• Unpack, sort, count, and label incoming merchandise, including items requiring special handling or refrigeration.
• Restock storage areas, replenishing items on shelves.
• Maintain and clean equipment, work areas, or shelves.
• Prepare prescription labels by typing or operating a computer and printer.
• Compound, package, and label pharmaceutical products, under direction of pharmacist.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Employers typically look for someone with a pharmacy assistant qualification. There are many ways you can develop your skills, qualifications, and experience towards this career area.

If you enjoy the work of a Pharmacy Assistant and want to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical world, you can undertake a level 6 course to qualify as a Pharmacy Technician, or a 5-year degree to qualify as a Pharmacist.  Courses for this are full time at level 8-9 search our CAO CourseFinder.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: pharmacy sales assistant, laboratory assistant, quality management, supervisory management.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: pharmacy assistant, health and pharmacy retail assistant, medicine counter pharmacy assistant, over the counter pharmacy assistant, pharmacy counter assistant.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Sales, Retail Supervision.

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: pharmacy, pharmacy technician.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: pharmacy.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) Please note that pharmacy is a regulated occupation and you can find up-to-date information about approved pharmacy qualifications from the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI).

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €25k - €34k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Indeed./ CPL / Excel / Clark

Last Updated: February, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Sales and retail assistants; cashiers and checkout operators; Telephone salespersons; Pharmacy and other dispensing assistants; Vehicle and parts salespersons and advisers.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Despite a below average growth rate, employment for sales assistants grew by 8,700 persons between 2021 and 2022 in line with the recovery in the wholesale and retail sector. However, recent job hires far exceeded any growth in employment pointing to significant job churn for this occupation.

This is likely to be related to the young profile of workers in this occupation (44% were aged 15-24 years) and the majority (58%) being in part-time roles. There was a large volume of vacancies advertised through DSP Jobs Ireland and OVATE. Job opportunities are likely to continue to arise for this occupation given its large size and the volume of turnover.

• Irish Pharmacy Union

  • Butterfield House, Butterfield Avenue, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14
  • (01) 493 6401
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• SOLAS

  • Castleforbes House, Castleforbes Road, Dublin, 1
  • (01) 533 2500
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Pharmacists in Industry, Education and Regulatory (PIER

  • Click Here

• The Irish Institute of Pharmacy

  • +353 (0)1 402 5112
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Smart Futures

  • Discover Science & Engineering, Wilton Park House, Wilton Place, Dublin, 2
  • Click Here