Average Salary of a Pharmacy Technician in Ireland in 2021

“In Ireland, Pharmacy Technicians can enjoy a stable career and an above-average salary. The pay can depend on whether you are working in the public sector or the private sector.”

In Ireland, Pharmacy Technicians can enjoy a stable job with many employment opportunities. They can begin their career as a community Technician and then progress to work in a hospital pharmacy.

Topics covered in this article

How Much Do Pharmacy Technicians Get Paid In Ireland?

What Does The Job Entail?

What Can You Expect From An Irish Pharmaceutical Technology Course?

Are You Prepared To Do The Work?

Conclusion

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How Much Do Pharmacy Technicians Get Paid In Ireland?

If you are interested in this profession, you will naturally want to know how much it pays.

Well, the average annual salary of a Pharmacy Technician in Ireland is more than €30,000 or €16 per hour.

However, as you advance your career, you can expect an increase in both your responsibilities and pay.

In fact, the average salary can vary and will depend on:

● Whether you are working in the public or private sector

● The city where you work

As mentioned earlier, the average hourly rate for a pharmacy technician in Ireland is around €16.

However, in large cities such as Dublin or Galway this rises slightly to almost €16.50.

The annual rate will depend on your position and years of service in the public sector or HSE.

For example:

● Pharmaceutical Technician student – €25,000 to €30,000

● Pharmaceutical Technician – €33,000 to €42,00

● Senior Pharmaceutical Technician – €45,000 to €51,000

Meanwhile, private companies offer hourly rates ranging from €15 to €26.

Now, whilst Pharmacy Technicians usually work under the guidance of a Pharmacist, there are numerous administrative tasks besides handling prescriptions.

These will include offering professional advice to customers about their medication.

For instance, you will need to ensure that the patient doesn’t take a medicine that will trigger their allergies.

Pharmaceutical technology is a stepping stone to more senior positions or even related careers, such as a Pharmacist.

However, you could also venture into other areas, including:

● Procurement and distribution

● Sales

● Management

● Academia or teaching

If you are interested in becoming a pharmacy technician in Ireland, here are some facts you need to know about this profession.

First, Pharmacy Technicians are Healthcare Professionals who are licensed and registered to work with Pharmacists.

If you are working in a community or hospital pharmacy, your primary duty will involve handling prescriptions.

When you are given a prescription, you will need to check its validity before dispensing the drugs to the patient or doctor.

In the case of patient queries, you can relay them to the Pharmacist.

What Does The Job Entail?

Besides dealing with prescriptions, your other responsibilities will include keeping the store clean, organised and well-stocked.

As a Pharmacy Technician, you will be the first point of contact for customers or doctors as they enter the store.

For this reason, it is crucial that you can provide reliable healthcare information.

When a customer asks about a suitable over-the-counter medicine, you need to be able to offer professional and confidential advice.

You will also be expected to perform various administrative tasks ranging from handling paperwork to organising the inventories.

One of your main duties will involve processing HSE claims and payments. Meanwhile, although a senior Pharmacy Technician’s salary in Ireland is well-earned, the position entails greater responsibilities, such as training new staff. If you are interested in working in a pharmacy and taking care of patients’ health and well-being, you need to study a relevant course.

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What Can You Expect From An Irish Pharmaceutical Technology Course?

Schools such as the Carlow Institute of Technology offer a higher certificate in Pharmacy Technician Studies.

This course will help you understand:

● Pharmaceutical chemistry and human physiology (the study of bodily functions)

● Drug use and the reactions of the human body; you will learn about diseases and which drugs are used to treat them

You will also be taught how to apply your mathematical skills in your everyday work.

For example:

● Calculate the correct dosages

● Convert metric measurements into common household measurements such as teaspoons or tablespoons

● Audit the sales and prescription pricing It will also be worthwhile honing both your personal and professional skills, including:

● Oral and written communication skills

● How to handle customers in a courteous and professional manner

You will also need to mix the drugs according to fixed regulations, paying particular attention to safe dispensing.Besides attending lectures on a regular basis, you also need to spend some time in a pharmacy to gain some work experience.

During your second year, you will have a six-month placement in either a community pharmacy or a hospital pharmacy.

Furthermore, you will be expected to take practical classes that will help support you in your future line of work.

During your school years, you will have the opportunity to attend special events such as:

● Conferences

● Guest speaker lectures

● Poster competitions

If you are already working in a pharmacy, you can continue your studies online.

For example, in Ireland, the Irish Pharmacy Union offers a distance learning course which will enable you to work and study at the same time.

Although combining the two roles can undoubtedly be challenging, fortunately the teachers will be sympathetic and understanding of your situation.

Are You Prepared To Do The Work?

If you are a newly qualified Pharmacy Technician, you will probably begin your career in a community pharmacy.

This environment can be stressful and the work fast-paced.

In addition, there may be days when the store is understaffed and you have to work long hours and even at weekends.

Unexpected problems such as the Covid-19 pandemic can also be trying for technicians and other pharmacy personnel.

As a frontline worker, you will find it challenging, and perhaps even exhausting.

However, job satisfaction can be extremely rewarding.

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Conclusion

In Ireland, Pharmacy Technicians can enjoy a stable career and an above-average salary.

The pay can depend on whether you are working in the public sector or the private sector.

Furthermore, it can also vary between cities.

Naturally, your salary will increase when you gain promotion.

For instance, hospital Pharmacy Technicians are usually paid more than those working in a community setting.

Finally, getting the appropriate education will enable you to obtain the knowledge and skills you need to become an accomplished pharmacy technician.