Pharmacy Assistant Course Course Handbook 2014/2015 · Pharmacy Assistant Course Course Handbook 2014/2015 St John’s Central College ... regarding prescriptions, drug information,

Pharmacy Assistant Course

Course Handbook

2014/2015

St John’s Central College

Cork

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Table of Contents

1. Course Overview………………………………………………………………………………………………..

2. Role of Pharmacy Assistant…………………………………………………………………………………

3. Course Structure………………………………………………………………………………………………

4. Work Experience………………………………………………………………………………………………

5. Learning Environment………………………………………………………………………………………..

6. College Calendar…………………………………………………………………………………………………

7. Module Information…………………………………………………………………………………………..


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Course Overview

Welcome to St Johns Central College Pharmacy Assistant Course.

The over-riding objective of the Pharmacy Assistant course is to provide you with the multi-disciplined skills necessary to work in a

community pharmacy. It aims to achieve this by providing to with a curriculum that encompasses a broad range of skills from

gaining knowledge of OTC medications, to developing Pharmacy IT Skills, to practicing interpersonal skills whilst

also aiming to give you a solid science foundation throughout the course.

The IPU Medicines Counter Assistant is interactive in nature and will equip you with the skills and knowledge to deal

effectively and sensitively with customers in the pharmacy. Emphasis is placed on questioning skills, product knowledge and

appropriate referral. As it has been developed by the Irish Pharmacy Union it is a rightly recognised qualification within the sector.

The FETAC certification in Community Health Services provides you with a range of skills to assist you in working in the

healthcare sector within a retail environment. You will be given a strong science foundation and develop the health & safety skills

necessary for working in a pharmacy retail setting. A major emphasis of the course will be placed on the Interpersonal

Communication, Business and IT skills in a pharmacy. As pharmacies generate significant revenue from beauty products you will

have the opportunity to learn and practice the application of Cosmetics.


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Role of the Pharmacy Assistant

The modern retail pharmacy is a sophisticated health advisory centre. As the first person customers meet in the store, the

pharmacy assistant has a vital role to play in keeping them informed and maintaining their confidence.

Pharmacy assistants are the frontline in pharmacy customer care. It is vital for them to possess the confidence and skill to serve the

healthcare needs of their community.

Pharmacy Assistants help licensed pharmacists with administrative duties in running a pharmacy. Assistants often are clerks or

cashiers who answer telephones, handle money, stock shelves, and perform other clerical duties. Assistants refer any questions

regarding prescriptions, drug information, or health matters to a pharmacist.

Assistants have several important duties that help the pharmacy to function smoothly. They may establish and maintain patient

profiles, and stock and take inventory of prescription and over-the-counter medications. Accurate record keeping is necessary to

help avert dangerous drug interactions. Pharmacy Assistants also maintain inventory and inform the supervisor of stock needs so

that the pharmacy does not run out of the vital medications that customers need. Some also clean pharmacy equipment, help with

the maintenance of equipment and supplies, and manage the cash register. Pharmacy Assistants work in clean, organized, well-

lighted, and well-ventilated areas. Most of their workday is spent on their feet. Successful pharmacy assistants are organised,

dedicated, friendly, and responsible. They should be willing and able to take directions. Candidates interested in becoming

pharmacy assistants cannot have prior records of drug or substance abuse. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are

needed because pharmacy assistants interact daily with patients, coworkers, and health care professionals.


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Module Overview & Teachers

5NO749 Anatomy & Physiology

5 15 Orla Murphy

5N2746 Biology

5 15 Orla Murphy

5NO690 Communications

5 15 Caroline Morrissey

5NO972 Customer Service

5 15 Majella O’Driscoll

5N4325

Nursing theory & Practice 5 15 Gretta Looney

5N1207 Occupational First Aid

5 5 Gretta Looney

5N1619 Retail Selling

5 15 Majella O’Driscoll

Cosmetics 5 15 Eileen Mulcahy

5N1358 Word Processing

5 15 Vincent Sheridan

5N1356

Work experience 5 15 Majella O’Driscoll

IPUEXAM Pharmacology Marguerite O’Keeffe

Non Fetac Qscript Software Majella O’Driscoll


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Work Experience

Work Experience is offered as an integral part of all courses in the College. The importance of Work Experience lies in the fact that:

-It provides an opportunity to experience a real work environment

-It challenges students to experience working conditions and regulations in the real world

-It is mandatory module under FETAC and Department of Education regulations and must be completed successfully in order to

obtain a full FETAC award

-It provides a valuable link between the College and world of employment

-Many students are offered employment on foot of their diligent application to work experience

When taking up work experience you are expected to represent the college to the best of your ability. A high standard is expected

of each student. Students on work experience remain subject to the College Code of Conduct, and in addition should comply with

any guidelines laid down by the employer.

In particular your attention is drawn to the following:

Securing Placement: it is the responsibility of the student to actively seek placement early in September. Students must ensure CV

is updated and present oneself in appropriate dress and manor to a prospective employer


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Learning: Work experience is part of the learning process on which you have embarked in Central College. It is very important that

you take responsibility for your own learning while on work experience, in order to gain the maximum benefit from the time you

spend with your employer.

Attendance: You are expected to be present and punctual at your designated work experience place during normal working hours.

Absence: If you are unable to attend at your work experience, you must inform your employer and class teacher immediately.

Absence from work experience is permissible only in very exceptional circumstances e.g. illness, and will require a full explanation,

Medical Cert etc. Absence from Work Experience will automatically be referred to the Attendance Committee

Appropriate Dress/Hygiene Many employers have a dress and/or hygiene code, whether due to the nature of their business or for

Health & Safety reasons. You must comply with this code.

Instructions/Initiative: You are expected to follow all reasonable instructions issued by your employer and to show initiative in your

work practice.

Documentation: You are required to keep/collect all relevant work experience documentation as advised by your Class Teacher.

If you have a genuine difficulty during your work experience, you should contact the College immediately. Under no circumstances

should you leave or change your work experience without prior permission from the College.


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Learning environment

The College aims to encourage students to pursue their studies in an atmosphere that encourages partnership in learning. The

focus within the college community is, therefore, on personal responsibility to each other. The College is dedicated to the promotion

of equality of opportunity, to the avoidance of unfair practice and to respect for and courtesy towards each other regardless of race,

religious beliefs, social class, gender or sexual orientation. We expect you to:

-Be proud of the good name of the college and do nothing to take form that good name

-Adopt a responsible attitude in helping to create a supportive community in which everybody can flourish

-Respect the rights of all others within the college community. Treat everybody with respect, regardless of differences in culture,

ability, race, gender, age, sexual orientation or social class

-Take responsibility for your learning by attending regularly and punctually, working hard at your studies and completing all your

assignments on time

-Attend all timetabled classes, unless in exceptional circumstances where an alternative arrangement has been negotiated with the

College Authorities

-Provide an explanation to your Class Teacher in the case of an occasional absence, and a Medical Cert in the case of a longer

absence through illness

-Co-operate with teachers and all other college staff

-Seek help if you need it and let us know quickly if you have any difficulties

-Help to make the college a safe place for all

-Take care of college buildings and furnishings, and respect the property of others


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In line with current Health & Safety Legislation, there is NO SMOKING allowed within the college buildings. This includes the

student canteen.

Continuous / Serious breaches of College Regulations may result in referral to the College Attendance Committee, and noted

accordingly on your personal file.

Attendance & Punctuality

One of our most important considerations at this college is to see you complete your course, with Full Certification and to see you

enter the Workplace with marketable skills, having experienced the best of work practices. From our many years of experience we

know that this is just not possible unless you commit yourself to full participation in your chosen course of study.

Full Participation Involves:

-Punctuality at all times

-Attendance at all of your timetabled classes and at Work Experience

-Handing up work/assignments/projects on time

-Co-operating fully with staff in the maintenance of accurate attendance records

Poor Attendance/Punctuality may result in:

-Referral to the College Attendance Committee

-Difficulty in providing a favourable reference to other colleges, training agencies or employers


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-Difficulty in recommending you for Full National Certification

-Termination of your Student Grant/VTOS Allowances


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College Calendar


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Programme Module: Anatomy and Physiology

Teacher: Orla Murphy Hours p/w: 2.0 hours Credit value: 15 credits Aim of the Programme Module: The aim of this programme is to equip the learner with the knowledge, skill and competence to understand the structure and function of the human body and the interrelationship between its systems. Programme Content: The programme is divided into the study of each system in the human body and the interrelationships between them. Assessment Plan:

Assignments(2) 40%

The learner will be required to complete 2 assessments over the duration of the programme as described in an assessment brief provided by the assessor

Evidence for this assessment will be in the form of:

A laboratory report.

A research project

Examination-Theory based Percentage marks

Section A- 14 short questions Section B- 4 long questions

28% 32%


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Minor Award: Nursing Theory and Practice Teacher: Gretta Looney Hours p/w: 2.0 hours Credit value: 15 credits Aim of the Programme Module: This programme module aims to equip the learner with the theory underpinning nursing professional practice and the caring skills and attitudes necessary for the performance of a range of essential skills Assessment Plan

Skills Demonstration 50%

Temperature 6% Oct

Pulse 6% Nov

Respirations 6% Dec

Blood Pressure 6% Jan

Fluid Balance 6% Feb

Manual Handling & Patient Moving 8% Mar

Skills Demonstration Report 12% Mar

Examination May 50%

Short Questions 20%

Structured Questions 30%


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Programme Module: Biology Teacher: Orla Murphy Hours p/w: 2.0 hours Credit value: 15 credits Aim of the Programme Module: The aim of this programme is to provide the learner with the knowledge, skill and competence to independently apply concepts and principles of biology in a laboratory and in the field in a managed environment. Programme Content The programme is divided into 5 sections:

The Cell

Genetics

Microbiology

Ecology

Legislation

Assessment Plan

Examination-Theory Percentage marks

Section A- 10 short questions Section B- 3 long questions

20% 30%


The learner will be required to complete at least 5 skills demonstrations over the duration of the programme. Learners will demonstrate safe working practices and maintain primary records of results and observations.

Evidence for this assessment will be in the form of lab reports. These are to be submitted one week after each practical.

Learner Record 25%

The learner record will be carried out over the duration of the programme module. It will include evidence of at least 5 practical experiments undertaken by the learner. A personal laboratory notebook will be compiled by the learner.

Evidence will be provided in the form of a laboratory notebook and lab reports to be submitted one week after practical.


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Programme Module: Cosmetics

Teacher: Eileen Mulcahy Hours p/w: 2.5 Hours PW Credit value: 15 credits Aim of the Programme Module: This programme module aims to equip the learner with the knowledge, skill and competence to work autonomously and independently in carrying out skincare and eye treatments and in applying make-up. Assessment Plan

Examination: [Theory Based] 40% Time Allowed: 11/2 Hours.

The format of the examination will be as follows: 2 Diagrams to be labelled. 2 Structured Questions 10 Short Answer Questions

Examination: [Practical based] 60% The examination will be 3 hours duration.

The learner will demonstrate his/her competence in a practical examination that assesses the candidates mastery of Nail Care, Skin Care, Eye Treatments and Make-Up skills including responses to oral questioning, demonstrated in a set period of time under a restricted condition

The above assessment takes place at the end of the college academic year.


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Programme Module: Communications Teacher: Caroline Morrissey Hours p/w: 2.0 hours Credit value: 15 credits Aim of the Programme Module: Programme Content Code 5N0690

Assessment deadlines

Term 1

Business documents and

Personal writing November 2014

Interview December 2014

Vocational text December 2014

Term 2

Research report January 2015

Discussion and negotiation skills February 2015

Communications summary February 2015

Literary text March 2015

Term 3

Practical communication skills April 2015

Oral presentation April 2015

Some dates are subject to change


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Minor Award: Customer Service Teacher: Majella O’Driscoll Hours p/w: 2.0 hours Credit value: 15 credits Aim of the Programme Module: The aim of this award is to equip the learner with the understanding of the value of the customer service discipline as well as knowledge and skills to provide effective customer service within a work, social or voluntary environment, operating independently or as part of a team.

To enable the learner to explore the role of customer service in organisational effectiveness

To facilitate the learner to explore the role and responsibilities of a representative of an organisation and work effectively as part of a team

To enable the learner to acquire a range of verbal and non-verbal skills in order to meet customer needs, handle customer complaints and deliver good customer care

To create an awareness of consumer protection legislation, appreciate the rights of all customers regardless of gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race or culture

To assist the learner to develop the academic and vocational language, literacy and numeracy skills related to Customer Service through the medium of the indicative content Assessment Plan

Portfolio /Collection of Work 50%

Observation 20% Oct

Legal Assignment 20% Nov

Correspondence 10% Dec


Complaint/Compliment 12% Jan

Challenging Situation 13% Feb

Team Participation 12% Mar

Communications Technology13% Apr


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Programme Module: Word Processing Teacher: Vincent Sheridan Class Contact: 2 hours per week The aim of this module is to enable students to develop their word processing skills on a personal computer. The Student shall understand and be able to accomplish basic operations associated with creating, formatting and finishing a word processing document ready for distribution. The student shall also demonstrate their competence in utilising the more advanced features associated with word processing applications such as creating tables and tabs, manipulating graphics and images within a document, producing attractive documents to mailable standard and applying mail merge tools.

Assessment Plan

Assessment Deadline Percentage of Total Marks

Assignment October 10%

Examination December 40%

Assignment March 10%

Examination May 40%


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Retail Selling

Teacher: Majella O’Driscoll Hours p/w: 2.0 hours Credit value: 15 credits Module Code: 5N1619 Objectives of the Programme Module

To familiarise the learner with the different equipment used in retail selling

To explore the different systems used in handling payments, stock control and security

To examine the main terminology and trends in retail selling

To analyse current legislation and identify the main legal responsibilities of the retail seller

To create an awareness of a range of techniques used to open and close a sale

To learn how to handle complaints and up-sell

Familiarise the learner with a range of communication skills, including listening skills, product demonstrations and customer support techniques.

Skills Demonstrations Percentage marks

Assignment One: In this assignment learners are required to detail the retailer’s legal responsibilities as well as its policies on returns, after sales service, customer feedback and health and safety.

20%

Assignment Two: Learners will present a scenario based in a specific type of retail environment in which they will go through the typical steps involved in the retail process. The learner must detail the opening and closing of the sales process and any devices used throughout the entire process Skills 1,2,3 Skill 4

20% 30% 30%


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Programme Module: Work Experience Teacher: Majella O’Driscoll Hours p/w: 1.0 hours Module Code: 5N1356

Credit Value: 15 credits Purpose: To enable the learner to operate successfully in a realistic work programme set up by the course provider.

Objectives of the Programme Module

To enable the learner to take responsibility for his/her own learning

To enable the learner to plan and prepare for successful participation in a relevant work placement

To facilitate the learner to explore their personal profile, and match it to appropriate work placement

To enable the learner to explore a chosen vocational area

To facilitate the learner to develop an understanding of the world of work and employment, Including the rights and responsibilities of both employer and employee

To assist the learner to develop the academic and vocational language, literacy and numeracy skills related to Work Experience through the medium of the indicative content

Portfolio /Collection of Work 60%

Planning & Preparation 20% Oct 2014

Vocational Study 15% Mar 2015

Learner Account 20% Dec 2014

Future Plans 5% Mar 2014


To be completed by employer

Deadlines: Completed portfolio Easter 2015 Teacher: Majella O’Driscoll


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Programme Module: Pharmacology Teacher: Marguerite O’Keeffe Hours p/w: 2.5 hours Credit value: Irish Pharmacy Union- Medical Counter Assistant Aim of the Programme Module: Gastrointestinal Conditions Respiratory Conditions Pain Smoking Cessation Vitamins, minerals and nutritional supplements Womens Health Assessment Plan

IPU Examination Examination 100% May


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Programme Module: Qic Script Teacher: Majella O Driscoll Hours p/w: 1.0 hours Credit value: NON FETAC Aim of the Programme Module:

Summary of Module Contents

Patient Medication Records

Dispensing

Reports

Codes

Labels


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Assessment Plan Deadlines:

Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

April

May

Anatomy & Physiology

Continuous Assessment








Exam

Biology









Exam

Communications

Business Documents

Interview Vocational Text

Report Discussion Summary Text

Literary Text

Practical IT Oral Presentation

Customer Service

Customer Complaint Role Play 1

Written Documentation

Observation Report

Legal Report

Challenging Situation Role Play 2

Teamwork Communication Technology

Nursing theory & Practice

Temperature Pulse Respiration Blood Pressure

Fluid balance Manual Handling

Exam

Occupational First Aid









Exam

Retail Selling

Upselling Role Play

Cash Report

Sales Process

Legal Report

Product Demonstration

Skills Skills

Cosmetics

Exam

Word Processing

Assignment

Exam Assignment Exam

Work experience

Planning & Preparation Report

Learner Account

Vocational Study

Skills Report

Pharmacology 100% Exam

Qscript Software Patient files Patient files Patient files Patient files Patient files Patient files Patient files Patient files


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