PITO PROGRAMMES

INFORMATION FOR EMPLOYEES

PHARMACY ASSISTANTS (those who work on the shop floor)

1. Do you work as a pharmacy assistant or a retail assistant in a pharmacy?
2. Would you like a qualification relating to your job?

If you answered ‘yes’ to both of the questions above, you may be eligible to enrol in the PITO Recognition of Current Competence Programme for Pharmacy Assistants.  Contact Us for an information pack.

This is an assessment only programme leading to the National Certificate in Pharmacy (Assistant) Level 3, a nationally recognised qualification.

If you have been working in a pharmacy for two years or more and have a good knowledge of all aspects of your job, you are eligible to apply for a place on this programme.

You will complete a number of written assessments covering such topics as:

• Health & Safety
• Customer service
• Stock maintenance and loss prevention
• Selling skills
• Legislation
• Hazardous substances in a pharmacy
• Giving advice to customers on pharmacy products & services
• Communication skills

You must also complete a First Aid course through appropriate NZQA accredited training provider.

This programme is designed to be completed in 18 months or less.

It includes some of the units contained in the National Certificate in Pharmacy (Technician) Level 5, making it an easy step up if you decide you would like to work in the dispensary as a technician.   Back to Top

PHARMACY TECHNICIANS (those who work in the dispensary)

New Zealand Trained Pharmacy Technicians

1. Did you achieve your technician qualification prior to 1998?
2. Would you like to up-grade your qualification to the current National Certificate?

If you answered ‘yes’ to both of the questions above, you are eligible to enrol in the PITO Assessment only Upgrade Programme for Pharmacy Technicians.  Contact Us for an information pack.

The older PSNZ Dispensary Assistant and Pharmacy Technician certificates have now been superseded by the National Certificate in Pharmacy (Technician) Level 5. Holders of the old certificates can upgrade their qualifications to the new National Certificate through one of PITOs assessment only programmes.

Depending on which qualification you already hold, you will be exempt from a substantial part of the National Certificate and will be required to be complete a number of written assessments only on the topics that you have not previously covered. These include:

• Pharmacology
• Compounding
• Sterile dispensing
• Giving advice to customers on pharmacy products and services
• Ward medicine management and patient medicine discharge (Hospital technicians)

You must also hold a current First Aid Certificate with the credits registered with NZQA.

This programme is designed to be completed within 18 months to two years.   Back to Top

Overseas Qualified Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacists

If you hold an overseas pharmacist or pharmacy technician qualification, you must be enrolled in a programme to complete the National Certificate in Pharmacy (Technician) in order to work legally in New Zealand.  Contact Us for more information.

UK Qualified Pharmacy Technicians

If you hold the BTEC and/or NVQ, you are exempt from a substantial part of the National Certificate.

Other Overseas Qualified Pharmacy Technicians and pharmacists

If you hold an overseas pharmacist qualification and wish to work as a pharmacist in New Zealand, you should contact the Pharmacy Council www.pharmacycouncil.co.nz

If you hold an overseas pharmacist or pharmacy technician qualification other than the Btec or NVQ and wish to work as a pharmacy technician; to find out what exemptions you may be entitled to, you must submit the course syllabus of the qualification you hold, along with a copy of your certificate. We will then cross-match your qualification against the National Certificate and award you exemptions as appropriate. Please note that we make a charge for this service which is payable when you apply for assessment of your overseas documentation.  We cannot guarantee that you will be eligible for any exemptions. 

Please Note:  The qualification check carried out by NZQA confirms the level of qualification held.  It does not match the contents against the National Certificate and does not preclude the holder from enrolling in the National Certificate.

This is an assessment only programme leading to the National Certificate in Pharmacy (Technician) Level 5, a nationally recognised qualification, and the legal requirement for working in a pharmacy in New Zealand.

You are required to complete a number of written assessments only on the topics that you have not previously covered. These include:

• Pharmacology
• Compounding
• Sterile dispensing
• Giving advice to customers on pharmacy products and services
• Ward medicine management and patient medicine discharge (Hospital technicians)