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Advanced Certificate: Introduction to Pharmacy services

This course will enable you to gain essential knowledge of pharmacy services, medicine and healthcare. This course builds confidence, develops core science and employability skills and prepares you for further study or entry level jobs within pharmacy and progress to pharmacy support qualifications.

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Level:

SCQF Level 6

Duration:

35 weeks 1 Full Academic year
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Who is this course for?

School leavers or young people who want to explore roles in community or hospital pharmacy.Adults returning to education who are considering a new career direction within healthcare.Those currently working in care, retail, or customer-facing roles who would like to develop knowledge of medicines, health advice and pharmacy support services.Learners who want a stepping stone into further study, such as the PDA in Pharmacy Services, health sciences, or other healthcare programmes.Anyone who enjoys helping people, has good attention to detail, and is interested in understanding how medicines and pharmacy teams support patient care."

What skills will I learn?

You will develop key skills that support progression into pharmacy and wider healthcare, including:
  • Clear, professional communication with patients and colleagues
  • Strong attention to detail and safe working practices
  • Problem-solving and decision-making skills
  • Teamwork and understanding of healthcare roles
  • Customer care and person-centred skills
  • Professional behaviours, including confidentiality and ethics
  • Digital and study skills to support further learning
These skills provide a solid foundation for further study in pharmacy services or future roles across healthcare.

What will I study?

What Will I Study?On this course, you will explore a range of subjects that build your understanding of pharmacy, healthcare, and the science behind medicines. Your learning will combine practical skills, core knowledge, and essential behaviours needed for progression into pharmacy or further health-related study.You will study:How medicines workLearn the basics of pharmacology, including how different types of medicines act in the body and how they support patient treatment.Medical terminology and common health conditionsDevelop confidence using the language of healthcare so you can understand prescriptions, health information, and clinical conversations.Introduction to chemistry and microbiologyBuild your scientific knowledge by studying chemical principles and how microorganisms affect health, illness, hygiene, and infection.Human anatomy and physiologyUnderstand how the body works, how organs and systems interact, and how this links to medicines and treatment.Preventing infection and promoting safetyExplore infection prevention principles and learn how pharmacy and healthcare environments protect patients.Health promotion and public healthDiscover how pharmacy teams support healthy lifestyle choices and provide advice within the community.Communication and teamworkDevelop strong interpersonal skills, learning how to work effectively with patients, colleagues, and wider healthcare teams.Numeracy for healthcareBuild the numeracy skills you need for safe practice, including calculations linked to medicines and measurements.First aid skillsGain essential first aid knowledge to increase your confidence in emergency and everyday care situations.Digital (ICT) and study skillsImprove your digital confidence and learn how to use technology effectively for learning, research, and future work.Together, these topics give you a solid foundation in health science, person-centred care, and pharmacy-related practice, preparing you for further study or entry-level roles in healthcare.

Application Information

What further study options are available?

HNC Healthcare PracticeModern Apprenticeship Pharmacy ServicesHNC Social ServicesPDA/NC Pharmacy Services

What career opportunities are there?

This course is designed as a first step into the pharmacy and wider healthcare sector. While it does not qualify you to work as a pharmacy assistant on its own, it gives you the essential knowledge, confidence, and skills to progress into further training and future employment.After completing this course, you could progress towards roles such as: Pharmacy Support Worker (Assistant)Working in community or hospital pharmacies, supporting with customer service, stock management, and basic pharmacy tasks (following further accredited training).Health Care Support WorkerSupporting patients in hospitals, clinics, or community settings, including roles with NHS services.