Certificate IV in Hospital or Health Services Pharmacy Support
Course Code HLT47121
The Certificate IV in Hospital or Health Services Pharmacy Support is an exciting first step toward a rewarding career in the health sector, where you will play a key role in supporting pharmacists and healthcare teams. As a pharmacy assistant within hospital or health service settings, you will be instrumental in ensuring medications are prepared, dispensed, and managed safely and efficiently, directly contributing to the wellbeing of patients and the smooth delivery of healthcare services.
By training with Health Industry Training, you will gain the knowledge, hands-on skills, and practical experience required to thrive in this specialised field. Our program is designed to prepare you for real workplace environments, equipping you with the confidence and capabilities employers value. Whether you are looking to begin your career or advance within the health industry, this qualification will provide you with the professional foundation to make a meaningful difference in hospital and healthcare pharmacy settings.
Delivery Method
The Certificate IV in Hospital or Health Services Pharmacy Support is delivered through a flexible blended learning experience designed to fit around your lifestyle.
You will receive high-quality learner resources in both digital and print formats, giving you the freedom to study anytime, anywhere. Theory assessments are completed online through our easy-to-use assessment portal, while practical skills are developed during hands-on work placement.
Because we know every student is different, your individual learning needs will be assessed before you start, ensuring you have the right level of support from day one.
Practical Placement
It is compulsory for students to undertake practical placement for the Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care.
Health Industry Training recognises that an important part of undertaking a qualification in health or community services is the practical component of the course. Practical placement provides students with an avenue to apply practical skills in a ‘real life’ environment where you can practice the skills and knowledge you have learnt during the course
Securing Practical Placement
For students not current working in the industry, it is important for you to discuss work placement opportunities with local organisations. Practical placement must be sourced prior to enrolment in this qualification.
Once you have sourced a relevant host employer, Health Industry Training will contact them on your behalf to discuss practical placement requirements.
Insurance
Health Industry Training provides insurance to all students undertaking unpaid work placement as part of their qualification.
Recognition of Prior Learning
RPL considers previous formal study and work experience and then assesses this against the elements of competency to determine competency. Students seeking recognition can apply for RPL on enrolment or throughout the duration of their study.
Credit Transfer
If you have completed a unit of competency within your intended qualification with another Registered Training Organisation (RTO) you may be able to apply for a credit transfer or exemption. A copy of your USI transcript must be provided when applying for credit transfer.
To begin your studies in the Certificate IV in Hospital or Health Services Pharmacy Support, it is anticipated that you will have completed at least Year 10 or an equivalent level of schooling.
In addition, all students must be able to demonstrate one of the following achievements to enrol directly into the Certificate IV in Hospital or Health Services Pharmacy Support:
- achieved the HLT37121 Certificate III in Hospital or Health Services Pharmacy Support, or
- have achieved the HLT37115 Certificate III in Hospital/Health Services Pharmacy Support, or
- have a minimum of one year of industry employment experience as a hospital or health services pharmacy assistant/ technician, in a job role that has involved the application of skills and knowledge described within the Certificate III in Hospital or Health Services Pharmacy Support, or
- have a minimum of one year of industry employment experience as a community pharmacy assistant/technician, in a job role that has involved the application of skills and knowledge described within the SIR30116 Certificate III in Community Pharmacy qualification.
Minimum Age
The minimum age for this course is 16 years old. If you are under 18 years of age your enrolment form must be signed by a parent or guardian.
Literacy, Language and Numeracy (LLN) Requirements
To be successful in this course, students will need to demonstrate an adequate level of Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) skills. Entry requires English proficiency equivalent to Year 10 level.
LLN skills are particularly important when working in the health sector as the roles in health require workers to be able to:
- communicate clearly with patients and colleagues, including taking instructions and explaining procedures;
- record and interpret medical information accurately;
- follow written safety procedures and workplace protocols; and
- handle numerical data such as specimen volumes and timing requirements.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA STUDENTS
All South Australian student must undergo an Upfront Assessment of Needs (UAN). The UAN compromises of 3 distinct assessments that we must administer to assess your suitability and support needs prior to enrol. This includes an LLN test for students who have not previously completed a Certificate IV or higher qualification
Students in South Australia can receive free access to a range of support services in for the duration of your course. Further information is provided as part of the pre-enrolment process.
At Health Industry Training, we are committed to ensuring that ALL student feels supported from enrolment to graduation. We understand that balancing study with work and personal commitments can be challenging, which is why we offer a variety of support services tailored to your individual needs.
Trainer Support
Our team of dedicated trainers are here to guide you every step of the way. You will have direct access to trainers by phone and email whenever you need help with assessments, clarification of course content, or encouragement to stay on track. Trainers will also make regular contact with you to provide feedback, check your progress, and ensure you are meeting your study goals within the required timeframe.
Administration Support
Behind the scenes, our administration team provides essential support to keep your learning journey running smoothly. Whether it’s updating your training plan, providing progress reports, assisting with enrolment changes, or answering general course queries, our admin staff are here to help.
Additional Support Services
If you face challenges during your study, our team will work with you to provide reasonable adjustments so that you can continue progressing confidently.
Learning Materials
Health Industry Training provides comprehensive learner resources for every unit of competency delivered. These resources are designed to support students in developing the knowledge and skills required to achieve competency and serve as a primary source of learning and reference throughout the course.
Learner resources are mapped to the requirements of each unit and include relevant information and workplace context to enhance understanding and application. To ensure accessibility and accommodate different learning preferences, all learner resources are made available in both digital format through the online student portal and as printed hard-copy materials. This flexible approach enables students to access their learning materials in a manner that best supports their individual needs and circumstances.
Student Online Portal
Health Industry Training’s student portal is a user-friendly and interactive online learning platform that provides students with a centralised location to access all training and assessment materials related to their qualification.
Each unit of competency contains dedicated learning and assessment sections, allowing students to easily navigate through their course requirements, access learner resources, complete assessments, upload evidence, and monitor their progress. The portal is available 24 hours a day, enabling students to study at their own pace and revisit materials as required.
Queensland Residents – Career Boost Program
Health Industry Training is proud to be a Skills Assured Supplier for the Queensland Government, delivering accredited training under the Career Boost program.
To be eligible, students must:
- Be aged 15 years or older, and no longer in school
- Must be a permanent Queensland resident;
- Must be an Australian citizen, or Australian permanent resident (includes humanitarian entrant), or temporary resident with the right visa and work permits on the pathway to permanent residency, or a New Zealand citizen;
- Must not currently be enrolled in a level IV or higher qualification;
- Must not have previously completed a certificate IV or higher-level qualification within the last 10 years for a general training pathway; and
- Must not exceed a maximum of two government funded traineeships within a 10 year period.
For a full list of eligibility requirements please call our office on [07] 2111 7956 or visit our website at www.healthindustrytraining.com.au.
South Australia Residents – WorkReady Funding
Health Industry Training is a preferred supplier under South Australia’s WorkReady initiative.
You may be eligible for government-subsidised training if you:
- Live or work in South Australia, and
- Are an Australian/NZ citizen, permanent resident, or eligible visa holder, and
- Are aged 16 years or over (and not enrolled at school)
- Unlimited priority courses
To check your eligibility, visit: skills.sa.gov.au/subsidised-eligibility
Student Contribution Fees
Under government funding guidelines, students must contribute to the cost of their training. This fee may be paid by a third party (such as an employer) but cannot be paid or waived by Health Industry Training.
The contribution fee is determined by your status as either:
- Concessional Student applies if you:
- Hold a Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card (or are a dependent/partner named on the card)
- Identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
- Are a school student in a school-based traineeship
- Have a disability
- Are an adult prisoner
- Non-Concessional Student – applies if none of the above apply
Fees and Charges Policy available on the website and in your Student Handbook.
Financial assistance for full fee-paying students
At Health Industry Training, we understand that not every student will be eligible for government funding. To ensure that cost is not a barrier to education, we offer flexible financial assistance through our affordable payment plan options.
By offering these flexible payment arrangements, we aim to make our qualifications more accessible and achievable for all students, supporting them to focus on their studies without unnecessary financial pressure.
Students can choose to spread their course fees across fortnightly or monthly instalments, making it easier to manage study expenses alongside other financial commitments.
To provide this service, Health Industry Training has partnered with EzyPay, a trusted payment management provider who securely manages the collection of fees for students who opt into a payment plan. Importantly, there is no interest charged on these plans, so students only pay for their course fees. A small transaction fee applies per payment, which is standard for this type of service and helps cover processing costs.
The Certificate IV in Hospital or Health Services Pharmacy Support has been packaged to include:
21 units are required to be awarded the qualification including:
- 13 core units
- 8 elective units
The course combines theoretical and practical work placement experience. The theoretical component of the course provides the student with the relevant knowledge required to work in the primary health care sector. It is compulsory for students to undertake 240 hours of practical placement for the Certificate IV in Hospital or Health Services Pharmacy Support.
The practical placement experience provides students with the practical knowledge and skills for students to work in a practical setting on completion of the qualification.
Choose your location
Courses Duration
Maximum 24 months
Course Fees
Queensland
Career Boost:
Concession - $840
Non Concession - $1,470
South Australia
WorkReady - 300
Traineeship - N/A
Full Fee Paying
$5,500
Delivery Method
Flexible
Individual needs approach
Practical Placement
Prospective
Career Roles
Hospital Pharmacy Technician
Hospital Pharmacy Assistant
Pharmacy Technician
Senior Pharmacy Technician
Enrolment Method
Open enrollmentAssessment Methods
Short answer questions
Projects
Case studies
Research reports
Classroom Logbook
Placement Logbook
Practical skills
Choose your location