Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• 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.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

The Work

Pharmacy technicians work in a variety of settings, such as community pharmacies, in the hospital pharmaceutical services, in the pharmaceutical industry, and in the wholesale sector.

In a community pharmacy, the technician works under the supervision of a pharmacist. The work includes the proper storage of medicines, stock control and rotation, receiving and preparing prescriptions, printing and affixing labels, pricing and GMS coding, and maintaining records.

In the pharmacy department of a hospital, the term pharmaceutical technician is generally used. In addition to the tasks of a technician in a community pharmacy, they also assists with the assembly and issuing of stocks to wards and theatres in the hospital.

In the pharmaceutical industry, technicians may assist in the manufacturing of sterile and non-sterile products and may also be called upon to provide customer related services. Their training equips them to carry out appropriate tasks for wholesalers.

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

• Receive written prescription or refill requests and verify that information is complete and accurate.
• Enter prescription information into computer databases.
• Establish or maintain patient profiles, including lists of medications taken by individual patients.
• Maintain proper storage and security conditions for drugs.
• Receive and store incoming supplies, verify quantities against invoices, check for outdated medications in current inventory, and inform supervisors of stock needs and shortages.
• Answer telephones, responding to questions or requests.
• Assist customers by answering simple questions, locating items, or referring them to the pharmacist for medication information.
• Operate cash registers to accept payment from customers.
• Price and file prescriptions that have been filled.
• Mix pharmaceutical preparations, according to written prescriptions.

Further Information

• Pharmacy Technician - from: N.C.S. [UK]

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.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

There are many pathways towards a career as a Pharmacy Technician. The most relevant qualification is the Pharmacy Technician courses at level 6, offered in various Institutes of Technology, and in some Colleges of Further Education. Courses are typically 2-years in duration.

The term used in the HSE is pharmaceutical technician, and the specific eligibility criteria can be found here. 

Training & Development

FET Centre Traineeship: Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Life sciences skills, laboratory assistant in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Pharmacy Technician, Applied Science - Pharmacy Studies, Applied Science - Pharmacy Studies, Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Science, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Operations at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Retail Supervision, Sales, Advanced Healthcare Assistant Practitioner at NFQ level 6 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Pharmacy Technician, Pharmacy Technician studies at NFQ Levels 6-7 Search our CAO coursefinder

Professional Development 

Postgraduate Study Options Business management, Management, Pharmacy NFQ level 9

Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) Pharmacist is a regulated occupation which requires a 5 year qualification. You can find up-to-date information about the approved pharmacist . If you enjoy the work you may want to progress by qualifying as a pharmacist. 

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €27k - €49k

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

Data Source(s):
Excel/ Indeed/ Talent/ HSE/ Brightwater

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

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

Employment levels fell between 2021 and 2022, by approximately 3,000 persons, but remained above 2017 levels, resulting in a positive, but below average, annual average growth rate for the five-year period. Employment for this occupation was primarily in industry (accounting for a 60% share of employment). Employment permits issued were across a variety of technician roles (e.g. process, manufacturing, laboratory). The Recruitment Agency Survey identified vacancies for maintenance technicians in manufacturing with electrical/mechanical skills as difficult-to-fill.

Employers (Skills for Growth) experienced difficulties in filling a range of engineering technician roles, including aircraft technicians and manufacturing technicians, particularly for those with digital skills and knowledge of procedures/processes. There was a 3% increase in the number of online job adverts in 2022, driven by increases in electrical/electronic technicians and, to a lesser extent, laboratory technicians.

New apprenticeship registrations for a number of industry related technicians (including lab analysts) have risen strongly since the first of these programmes were introduced in 2017; by 2022 there were 314 new registrations across a range of apprenticeships (lab analyst, manufacturing technology, OEM engineer etc.) up from approximately 100 in 2017. Although demand seems to be lessening for these roles, issues with attracting suitable candidates remain for maintenance and laboratory technicians in particular, at least in the short-term.

• Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland

  • 18 Shrewsbury Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
  • (01) 218 4000
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Pharmacy Union

  • Butterfield House, Butterfield Avenue, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14
  • (01) 493 6401
  • [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