About the Programme
Medicine Counter Assistants (MCA) or Pharmacy assistants help pharmacists order, prepare and dispense medicines.
Pharmacy assistants work as part pharmacy teams in community pharmacies. Some work in retail pharmacies in supermarkets or on the high street.
Working life
A pharmacy is where medicines are stored, prepared and dispensed.
MCAs work as part of a pharmacy team under the direction of a registered pharmacist. Their work includes:
- Keeping the pharmacy tidy
- using computer systems to generate stock lists and labels
- ordering items
- receiving, loading, unloading deliveries
- sale of over-the-counter medicines
- answering customers questions face to face or by phone
- pre-packing, assembling and labelling medicines
- preparing medicines
- referring problems or queries to the pharmacist
Skills and personal characteristics
It would be an advantage if you have worked in a customer service role
Skills required include
- accurate and methodical
- responsible
- ability to pay attention to detail
- ability to understand laws and guidelines on medicines
- ability to read and carry out instructions
- An interest in improving people’s health
- ability to explain instructions to customers
- They’ll also need excellent communication, customer service, IT and manual skills.
Training and development
You will be given the training you need to become an MCA at this institute. You will be required to complete
- 3 months of theory lessons in the classroom
- 3 months practical training
A final certification is issued by the Pharmacy Council after successfully passing an exam.
Entry requirements
Minimum requirement for the MCA course is WASSCE/SSCE or its equivalent.
Course content
COMPULSORY
MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION TO PHARMACEUTICAL CARE
MODULE 2: COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
MODULE 3: RUDIMENTS OF DISPENSING
MODULE 4: DOCUMENTATION AND INVENTORY CONTROL
MODULE 5: AWARENESS OF SOME DISEASES OF PUBLIC HEALTH IMPORTANCE
MODULE 6: PRACTICAL TRAINING
OPTIONAL
MODULE 7: COMPUTER LITERACY
Classes
Morning session
Monday-Thursday 9am – 12noon
Evening/weekend sessions
Friday 4pm-7pm
Saturday 10am-3pm
