Course Summary
Course Category: PLC (Further Education - FET) - Apply directly to College
This course is designed to equip learners with relevant knowledge and experience to work as a pharmacy counter assistant. Work in this industry varies from dispensing over the counter medications, helping clients choose medical aids and appliances to demonstrating and selling cosmetics, perfumes etc. As well as a QQI qualification, learners complete the Irish Pharmacy Union’s Medicines Counter Assistant award.
Course Details
This course prepares you for working in the following Career Sectors:
What will you study?
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Customer Service 5N0972
Work Experience 5N1356
Safety & Health at Work 5N1794
Marketing Practice 5N1400
Nutrition 5N2006
Retail Selling 5N1619
Reception & Frontline Office Skills 5N1407
Medical Terminology 5N2428
Word Processing 5N1358
Important
- Colleges may add/remove modules to keep the course updated and to meet demands.
- Almost all PLC courses have a Work Experience module, which requires students to find their own placement in an area directly related to their course.
Progression to CAO Courses
Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS)
This course leads to a QQI Major Award, and provides progression opportunities to a number of Higher Education courses, including those in the CAO.
To view CAO courses to which this award provides a possible progression route, click below:
| QQI Code |
| 5M4468 |
To calculate Points based on your QQI award results, use the PLC Points Calculator.
The Student - Career Interests
This course 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.
Further Research
National Statistics for this Award (All Ireland)
The following data provides general information about this Award from colleges across Ireland.
Disclaimer: These links are to web sites outside of CareersPortal and we accept no responsibility for the information on them.
Career Progression
Pharmacy Counter Assistant graduates find employment in diverse fields. Here are some of the most popular career destinations you could progress to:
Medical Counter Assistant │ Medical Secretary │ Pharmacy Health Care Adviser │ Cosmetic Sales Assistant │ Pharmacy Field Sales Representative │Pharmacy Store Manager.