BFEI Logo
Over the Counter Pharmacy Assistant
Home / Courses / Over the Counter Pharmacy Assistant

Introduction

Over the Counter Pharmacy Assistant - Dublin

At BFEI, located in Blackrock, Co.Dublin we offer a one year QQI Level 5 Over the Counter Pharmacy Assistant course.

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.

Career Opportunities

BFEI Graduates can look forward to interesting, rewarding and challenging careers with a wide range of employment options in:

  • Pharmacies

  • Health Stores

  • Department Stores – Cosmetic Sales & Skincare Advisor

  • Healthcare Sales Representatives

  • Reception in Healthcare Field

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. 

Core Elements
  • 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
  • IPU Medicines Counter Assistant Certificate

  • Course Code

  • OTC

  • Duration

  • 1 Year – full time September to May

  • Number of Places

  • 34

  • Number of contact hours per week

  • 20

  • Timetable contact

  • 5 Days Mornings Only
Testimonial

I completed the Retail Pharmacy Course in May 2017, I chose this course as I thought it was very challenging. I thought this course suited me best. Starting in a new college, new atmosphere and meeting new people made me feel nervous. However, this course offered so much more and provided me with life skills and accomplishments that will never be forgotten. There was a range of age groups on the course, and we all got along great. This encouraged everyone to contribute in every class. I enjoyed everything about BFEI, it was both inspiring and exciting. I enjoyed every minute of it. I would like to thank everyone at BFEI and to all my teachers for all the support and guidance throughout the year. I am now working full-time in the pharmacy where I did my work experience.

- Tori McCann, Retail Pharmacy Assistant Graduate, 2017 -

Support Elements
  • You will be given the opportunity to complete Manual Handling Training which is an essential qualification to work in a Pharmacy
  • Career advice and help with CV preparation is provided by the Guidance and Career Service
Assessment and certification

  • IPU Medicines Counter Assistant Course is certified by the IPU. The IPU exam takes place in April/May.

  • 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).

More Level 5 Courses at BFEI

Progression

Education/ Training

Graduates who complete this course may apply to the following course in BFEI:

PROGRESSION TO FURTHER STUDIES

Once you gain employment in a pharmacy, you can apply to study for the: Diploma in Pharmacy Services Skills Irish Pharmacy Union – www.ipu.ie

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 Social Sciences University College Dublin - www.ucd.ie

Higher Certificate Pharmacy Technician Studies Technological University Dublin [City] - www.tudublin.ie

Higher Certificate in Science - Pharmacy Technician Studies, Carlow Institute of Technology – www.itcarlow.ie

Check out the updated BFEI CAO Progression Pathways Chart with new progression options included for TCD, NUI Maynooth and University of Limerick.  CAO data shows that many BFEI graduates from 2019/2020 secured excellent CAO offers.

Entry Requirements
  • Leaving Certificate

​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

Mature applicants (aged 21 and over) and other applicants without the formal entry requirements will be assessed individually for suitability.

Application Process

Places will be offered, on a first come basis, subject to the applicant meeting the entry requirements and subject to a place being available.  Apply on-line for free.

Fees

At course commencement, students are required to pay for books, exams, €200 PLC Government Levy (unless exempt), a Student Services charge and where applicable professional body registration fees. There are no tuition fees for EU students.

Share
SHARE
APPLY ONLINE

Sign up to mailing list

Please, select one category...

Contact us

BFEI
Main Street
Blackrock
Co Dublin

+353 1 2889717 Get directions

MORNING COURSES

Beauty Therapy, Make Up and Holistic Therapies

Business, Accounting, Marketing & Auctioneering

Community, Emergency and Health Care

Computing, Networks and Digital Design

Design
< Back

DAY COURSES

Beauty Therapy, Make Up and Holistic Therapies

Business, Accounting, Marketing & Auctioneering

Community, Emergency and Health Care

Computing, Networks and Digital Design

Design

Level 5 Courses

Level 6 Courses
< Back

EVENING COURSES

Accounting and Business

Art & Design

Beauty & Holistic Therapies

< Back