Part-Time Pharmacy Assistant (Level 5)

The course is suited to those intending to work in a pharmacy as a Pharmacy Assistant or in a health food store as a Sales Assistant. There are also opportunities to progress to studies at Third Level.

Duration

Two years part-time for the full award. Students will receive a component certificate at the end of the first year.

Modules

2025-2026

  • Nutrition 5N2006
  • Word Processing 5N1358
  • Medical Terminology 5N2428
  • Communications 5N0690

2026-2027

  • Anatomy & Physiology 5N0749
  • Work Experience 5N1356
  • Social Studies 5N1370
  • Retail Selling 5N1619

Certification

NFQ Level 5 award made by QQI Community Health Services (5M4468).

Career Options

Students may find employment in a pharmacy as a Pharmacy Assistant or in a health food store as a Sales Assistant.

Third Level Progression

This course allows progression to a number of courses including:

  • Pharmacy Technician TU654, Pharmaceutical Science TU876 and Applied Social Care TU997 in TU Dublin-Tallaght.
  • TU Dublin- City Centre Campus accept this course on many courses including Visual Merchandising and Display TU795 and  Social Care TU996.
  • A number of degrees in UCD accept this award including Humanities DN530, Social Sciences DN700, Psychology DN720 and Social Policy and Sociology DN750.
  • Applied Social Studies in Social Care TU791 and Community and Youth Development TU792 in TU Dublin- Blanchardstown

Please contact admin@greenhillscollege.ie with any queries.

Entry Requirements

  • Leaving Certificate, Leaving Certificate Applied Programme, QQI Level 4 full major award or equivalent.
  • Work/life experience may be acceptable for mature students.
  • Students should be 17 years or over at the start of the course.
  • Aptitude: Applicants must have a motivation to learn, an interest in the subject area and the ability to acquire the knowledge, skills and competencies set out in the course.
  • CEFR B1 or higher competence in English for candidates whose first language is not English.
  • Garda vetting clearance is required for all students taking this course.

Fees

For details on our fees, please click here.

I chose this course because my older sister worked as a pharmacy assistant and she loved working with customers who wanted advice on different products in relation to healthcare. Due to my volunteer experience working with The Irish Red Cross and now St. John Ambulance, I have a good background dealing with people. Being a pharmacy assistant has good job prospects and further training opportunities for those wishing to go higher and do a Pharmacy Technician course or other scientific based courses.Greenhills College is known for it’s academic excellence. It has the resources in place to help those who might have been out of education for a few years and want to get back into it. The staff are excellent and I can’t have enough praise for everyone from administrators to the tutors to fellow students who are all here to help one another. As Malcolm X said “Education is the passport to the future for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today”.

Alan Scott