Over the Counter Pharmacy Assistant
There are many new job opportunities in the expanding retail pharmacy sector, and with these qualifications you will be well placed to gain full-time employment and advance your career.
| Award Name | Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 5 NFQ |
| Award Name | Certificate |
| NFQ Classification | |
| Awarding Body | Irish Pharmacy Union |
| NFQ Level |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 5 NFQ |
| Certificate | Irish Pharmacy Union |
Duration
1 year full-time. 5 Days Monday-Friday Mornings Only (8.50am-2.00pm).
Entry Requirements
• You must have achieved 5 passes or 5 O6/ H7s or a combination of 5 O6/H7s or have achieved the LCA with a Merit profile, or have achieved a full relevant QQI Level 4 Award.
• Mature applicants (aged 21 and over) and other applicants without the formal entry requirements will be assessed individually for suitability.
Careers / Further progression
Career Opportunities
As a graduate of this course, you can pursue careers in a range of areas including:
• Pharmacies
• Health Stores
• Department Stores – Cosmetic Sales & Skincare Advisor
• Healthcare Sales Representatives
• Reception in Healthcare Field
Progression
Once you gain employment in a pharmacy, you can apply to study for the:
• Diploma in Pharmacy Services Skills Irish Pharmacy Union
If you want to get a degree, then you can apply through the CAO system for entry into courses in the QQI Higher Education Links Scheme such as:
• BSc Pharmaceutical Science (TU763) Technological University Dublin [Tallaght]
• BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical Science (SE504) South East Technological University [Waterford] * Leaving Certificate Mathematics is a pre-requisite
• Higher Certificate Pharmacy Technician Studies (TU654)Technological University Dublin [Grangegorman]
• Higher Certificate in Science - Pharmacy Technician Studies (SE937)South East Technological University [Carlow]
Further information
Start Date: 14/09/2026.
Student Financial Support
The range of schemes and measures available to assist students in Further Education Colleges include the:
Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)
Back To Education Allowance (BTEA)
Maintenance Grant Scheme
Fund For Students With Disabilities
Other Funding
PLC Bursary for Displaced Persons (Ukraine) Scheme 2023
www.studentfinance.ie provides comprehensive and user-friendly information on the range of financial support schemes and programmes available to full-time further and higher education students.
You can apply online. Click on the “Application Weblink” above. You will need to have your PPS number and an email address to complete the application.
Would you enjoy being at the front-end of pharmacies, interacting with people, giving advice on over-the-counter medicines, and healthcare products? Would you like to acquire skills in customer service and retail selling? Could you see yourself advising on beauty and make-up products? There are many new job opportunities in the expanding retail pharmacy sector, and with these qualifications you will be well placed to gain full-time employment and advance your career. Over 85% of course graduates have secured employment in pharmacies.
Course Structure
The emphasis will be on providing learners with specialist knowledge on over-the-counter medicines, beauty products, nutrition, customer services and retail selling.
What will I study?
• ATHE/IPU Medicines Counter Assistant Certificate
• QQI Certificate in Community Health Services
• Nutrition
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Retail Selling
• Reception and Frontline Skills
• Word Processing
• Safety and Health at Work
• Customer Service
• Work Experience
• Manual Handling (accredited by PHEEC)
Assessment and Certification
• IPU Medicines Counter Assistant Course is certified by the IPU. The IPU exam takes place in January.
• The IPU MCA Course has recently achieved ATHE Endorsed Standard of Education and Assessment. ATHE (Awards for Training and Higher Education) is an Ofqual regulated Awarding Body credited by a regulated Awarding Body and is recognised in 40 countries worldwide. A learner's benefit in achieving the IPU MCA Endorsed Certificate is higher employability and recognised portable skills.
• The remaining subjects are certified by QQI.
• Assessment is based on a combination of work submitted during the year and exams.
• Learners who successfully pass all 8 QQI subjects will be awarded a QQI Level 5 Certificate in Community Health Services (5M4468).
5M4468 - Community Health Services.
Dublin College Blackrock,
Main Street,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin,
A94 X383
t: +353 1 2889717
e: office@bfei.ie