Health

Human Structure, Function and Nutrition
You’ll develop an understanding of the body’s structures, functions and nutritional states as appropriate in the role of a pharmacy assistant.

Customer Services
You'll gain the necessary skills to provide quality customer service, including handling customer payments and dealing with customer complaints.

Merchandising Skills and Stock Maintenance
We’ll teach you how to monitor stock control, create displays, and master the art of gift wrapping.

Advise Pharmacy Clients
This course focuses on advising pharmacy clients about treating and managing a variety of health issues including:

• Eye care
• Minor injuries and wounds
• Nutritional and dietary requirements
• Management of various diseases and parasitic conditions
• Personal health

First Aid
Gain the skills to be able to carry out first aid in emergencies.

Legislation, Safety and Hazardous Goods
You’ll develop an understanding of, and be able to apply, legislative codes and standards required for the pharmacy industry. You will also learn how to handle hazardous goods and  work safely in your place of work.

Minor Health Disorders
You’ll be able to:
• Identify a range of minor heath disorders
• Identify referral situations
• Determine and advise treatment requirements

Complementary Medicines
Alternative and complementary medicines are now widely available in pharmacies, including homeopathic remedies, health supplements, and natural and herbal medicines (including Rongoa Mäori). You will gain the knowledge to be able to advise and sell these products.

Retail Cosmetic Services
This largely practical course provides you with the skills required to display, sell, advise and apply a range of products in the pharmacy industry including skincare and make-up  application, hair care and toiletry products, manicure and cosmetic services.

Retail Skills Application
This course will enable you to provide advice and develop your skills as a professional pharmacy assistant.

Industry Experience
You will be able to integrate knowledge and skills gained from programme studies into the practical work setting during work experience placement. Work experience placements will be arranged by the programme coordinator, however you are expected to make your own arrangements for travel.

Programme Handbook

Applicants are more likely to succeed on this programme if they have:

• at least 12 credits in literacy (English) and 10 credits in numeracy (maths) towards NCEA at Level 1
• or, successful completion of the Certificate in Tertiary Study Level 2
• NCEA Level 1 or 2, combinations of English/Maori, science including biology, maths and computing all provide appropriate academic preparation.

All applicants need to submit a Police Clearance Check (INCIS) form, and enter a confidentiality agreement with their employer.

English Language Requirements
If you are an overseas student or a new resident and English is not your first language, please note that study at tertiary level requires both written and oral participation.

You will be required to have an IELTS score of 5.5 or TOEFL score of 500.

• $5,332 incl. course related costs

The standard published fee is applicable for New Zealand citizens and permanent residents only.

An international fee is payable for non New Zealand citizens/permanent residents.

• Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Certificate in Retail Pharmacy Assistant Level 3
• National Certificate in Pharmacy (Assistant) Level 3
• Comprehensive First Aid Certificate
• Product knowledge certificates
• Relevant New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) units

Pharmacy assistant, cosmetic counter manager, company technician or demonstrator, health store assistant, sales representative.

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Pathways

• Certificate in Beautician and Cosmetology Level 4
• Certificate in Relaxation Massage Level 4