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- Certificate III in Community Pharmacy
Overview
About this course
Assist a wide range of customers with a variety of products as a pharmacy assistant. Discover your ability to multitask while supporting customers with healthcare needs. Prepare for further study in pharmacy dispensary or retail business.
Outcomes
What you'll gain
Learning outcomes
Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:
use effective communication to support customers with a range of products that meet their health needs
understand a range of products for coughs, colds, skin conditions, stomach issues, allergies, pain and inflammation
read and understand pharmaceutical terminology and labels
assist with prescriptions
restock product shelves and set up store displays
assist pharmacists in providing and promoting health services.
Course outcomes
Learn core skills that prepare you for opportunities in your chosen field.
A nationally accredited Certificate III qualification.
Skills to work in a pharmacy and speak with customers from diverse backgrounds.
The ability to support customers with a range of products that meet their health needs.
Skills to manage challenging customer situations.
Strong pathways to continue your studies and improve your job options.
Suitability
Is this course right for you?
Entry requirements
This course requires evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol.
Non-traineeship
There are no entry requirements for this course. You can enrol now.
Traineeship
You must be employed as a trainee in the pharmacy industry.
Your Apprenticeship Connect Australia Provider (ACAP) must submit your Training Proposal Plan (TPP).
Visit our apprenticeships and traineeships page for more information.
Completion requirements
During your study you'll need to provide your teacher with the following evidence:
Entry recommendations
To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:
an interest in the health and wellbeing of others
good customer service skills
great communication skills
Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) at a Year 10 high school level.
Note:
TAFE NSW may ask you to complete a Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital (LLND) skills test. This helps us to understand your individual study needs. We’ll make sure your LLND skills match the demands of the course. We can create a plan that supports your study success.
We tailor our courses to meet local community needs, so some campuses may have extra entry requirements. Check your preferred location for details. Need help preparing? Contact us for support.
Find Your Fit
This simple tool guides you to a suitable course level based on your foundation skills and confidence.
Pathways
Future career and study options
Career pathways
Our graduates go onto roles like:
Pharmacy Sales Assistant
Pharmacy Sales Assistants sell pharmaceutical goods, toiletries and related goods in retail pharmacies (Pharmacy Technicians are not included here, they are included in Medical Technicians).
Full-time share Full-time workers usually work 35 hours or more a week (in all their jobs combined).
29%
Employment size Employment size is the number of workers who do this as their main job.
9,100 workers
Average age This is the average age of all workers in this job.
32 years
Weekly pay Median earnings are shown for full-time, non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, before tax or any amounts that are salary sacrificed. These figures are a guide to earnings only and should not be used to determine a wage rate.
$760
Average full-time The average full-time hours that people in this role work each week.
39 hours
Skill level rating Skill level ratings are based on the range and complexity of job roles. In general, the higher the skill level, the more formal education and training, previous experience or on-the-job training needed to be good at the job.
Entry level
Gender share
88% female
Future growth The Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business estimates the likely change in number of workers in this role, or industry, over the next 5 years. Future growth is the likely percentage change compared to all other job roles.
Strong Growth
Other jobs include: pharmacy assistant and pharmacy sales assistant.
Licensing
Pharmacy assistants must follow laws and guidelines when supplying scheduled medicines, including those set by the Pharmacy Board of Australia. You need to follow these requirements throughout your course or traineeship.
Study pathways
Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:
Previous study1 Course
Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.
Further study1 Course
Advance your skills to take your career to the next level
Related study0 Courses
Learn core skills that prepare you for opportunities in your chosen field.
The Certificate III in Community Pharmacy does not have any related courses.
Your experience counts
At TAFE NSW, we recognise your previous study and work experience. You can apply for recognition of prior learning or a credit transfer with any of our courses. If you're successful you'll get your qualification faster.
Units
Units taught in this course
Courses are made up of a combination of both core and specialty units. In the Certificate III in Community Pharmacy qualification, you’ll need to successfully complete 19 units of competency , including 11 core and 8 speciality units.
Please note, not all specialty units are offered at every TAFE NSW location. It is highly recommended that you check with your preferred campus for information about the specialty units offered at that location.
Core units - 11
Core units are central to the job outcomes of a particular industry or occupation. These are the units industry has agreed are essential to be capable and qualified at a particular study level.
Assist customers with prescriptionsSIRCDIS001
Assist customers with cough and cold relief productsSIRCPPA005
Assist customers with skin and anti-fungal productsSIRCPPA006
Participate in workplace health and safetyHLTWHS001
TAFE NSW services
Facilities and support
TAFE NSW provides support services across all campus locations and online. Whatever your needs or circumstances, we have the people, resources, counselling and facilities to support you in focusing on your studies.
TAFE NSW Disability Support Service
TAFE NSW Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) support
TAFE NSW Aboriginal Support; Learner support (ABE)
TAFE NSW Careers, Counselling and Pathways Service
TAFE NSW Libraries
Scholarship programs - be supported as you explore your talents and fulfil your potential
Read&Write literacy and study support software is available free for all TAFE NSW students to use while studying on campus and at home
LinkedIn Learning - an online resource which offers innovative courses and tutorials to improve your personal and professional skills
Student associations - get social with our student community
Study options