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    National code: SIR30116

    Certificate III in Community Pharmacy

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    OverviewAbout this course

    Help a wide range of customers access appropriate medical and cosmetic products as a pharmacy assistant. You’ll discover your ability to empathise and multitask as you help people feel better, then graduate ready for further study in pharmacy dispensary or retail business.

    OutcomesWhat you'll gain

    Learning outcomes

    Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:

    • Discuss over the counter medications and products with customers

    • Familiarise yourself with cough and cold, skin and anti-fungal, gastrointestinal, allergy relief, analgesic and anti-inflammatory products

    • Read and understand pharmaceutical terminology and labelling

    • Process prescriptions

    • Restock product shelves and set up store displays

    Course outcomes

    Gain practical experience and develop specialist skills that give you an advantage in the job market.

    • A nationally accredited qualification at Certificate III level

    • Work in a real pharmacy and speak one-on-one with a wide range of customers from diverse age, cultural and language backgrounds

    • Recommend over-the-counter or cosmetic products to customers based on their symptoms or needs

    • Mark-up or place pharmacy products on sale in line with consumer demand

    • Manage and de-escalate challenging customer situations

    • Build a strong pathway to continue your study and enhance your career opportunities

    SuitabilityIs this course right for you?

    Entry requirements

    This course requires evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol

    • This course is offered as a traineeship. Enquire today to check the eligibility requirements.

    • Depending on where you choose to study, there may be additional campus specific entry requirements for this qualification. You must meet these entry requirements before you enrol.

    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

    • Great communication skills

    • Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) at a Year 10 high school level

    • TAFE NSW may ask you to complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) skills test. This helps us to understand your individual study needs, to design an individualised plan that supports your study success and ensures your LLN skills match the demands of the course.

    TAFE NSW is committed to meeting the learning needs of every community. Meeting these needs can mean there are additional entry requirements at different campus locations. Check your preferred location for further requirements. If you need help preparing for study, contact us to find out how we can support you.

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    PathwaysFuture 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 comply with Federal, state or territory law and guidelines set by the Pharmacy Board of Australia at all times when supplying scheduled medicines. You will need to abide by these laws and guidelines throughout your traineeship and career in the industry.

    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 study1 Course

    Strengthen your expertise and gain specialist skills to expand your employability.

    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.

    UnitsUnits 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 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

    • Provide and promote services to pharmacy customersSIRCCCS002

    • Assist customers with products for gastro-intestinal conditionsSIRCPPA008

    • Assist customers with allergy relief productsSIRCPPA009

    TAFE NSW servicesFacilities 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 optionsFind a location to enrol