Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT ) has developed three new health sector degrees and can now offer advanced courses for pharmacy technicians, dental, and veterinary nurses for September.
Two of the degrees - clinical pharmacy practice and the dental practice management - are open to those who hold higher certificate (Level 6 ) qualifications in the respective areas, while the BSc in veterinary practice management is only available to those who hold an ordinary degree in vet nursing.
Applications are currently being accepted for the three programmes and should be made to AIT’s Admissions Office.
“These new degrees will enhance the skill sets that our graduates bring to the workplace and equip them for a wider variety of jobs,” said Dr Pearse Murphy, Head of Department of Nursing and Health Science.
“The role of pharmacists is evolving to a more patient-centred approach and pharmacy technicians are required to bring new competencies that will support this. Similarly, dental nurses are increasingly taking on business-related tasks, assisting dentists with practice management issues.”
The BSc in clinical pharmacy practice will provide additional skills to the pharmacy technician in the areas of clinical pharmacy, medicines management, purchasing, clinical governance, ethics, and aseptic practices.
The BSc in dental practice management will provide dental nurses with an opportunity to develop as professionals with the latest skills in clinical nursing, professional practice, practice management, communication, ICT, nutrition with oral health promotion, in addition to business accounting, dental practice marketing and research capabilities.
“The motivation to develop these new programmes came from our engagement with employers,” said Dr Don Faller, Head of Department of Life and Physical Science.
“The new honours degree in veterinary practice management will equip qualified veterinary nurses with skills that are essential in the management of a modern veterinary practice, including human resource management, finance, marketing and IT.”
Further information about these new programmes can be found online at www.ait.ie and the admissions office can be contacted by email at [email protected] and via phone on (090 ) 6468130.
