Is it really that bad?

[yolanda]

I'm an Australian pharmacist with an Irish partner and we are keen to move back to Ireland. Are the jobs really so scarce it is not worth going through the registration process? And if so, what sort of requirements are needed to do dispensary technician work, as I did work as a locum technician in the UK for a year or so.

Also does anyone know how long the registration process takes for an Australian pharmacist?

[ricardo1]

Hi Yolanda

Jobs are a little scare as a pharmacist here as a massive cut in our fees since 2009 have resulted in a number of job losses and pharmacy owners (pharmacists) are working much longer hours. I had 2 days off last year Christmas Day and Stephens Day and I don't think I can get away this year again.
As for your Irish partner he/she may find it very difficult to find a job unless they're highly skilled in whatever field they work.
So the answer is stay put!
Here's the regulators website.
PSI pharmacy regulator Home Page
Best of luck

[johnep]

I am sure that as you journey from Australia to Ireland, many will be going in opposite direction. Australia one of the few countries with a government that saved them from worst of recession. In Ireland they had a great party, now paying the price.
johnep

[culchie82]

I would avoid Ireland like the plague if I was you. Stay in Australia where the weather is nice and the Economy is going well.

[hibernia]

. As you're Australian registered the registration process is pretty straight forward and fast (1-2months)

Not any more. We used to have mutual recognition with Austrialia an New Zealand but now they are regarded as "third countries", i.e. outside the EU so the registration is fairly complicated and will take a while and involve sitting an exam.

You can work as a technician (assuming you have a visa allowing you to work) and would probably find it easy to get work where you would effectively be working as a pharmacist but because you aren't registered and can't provide professional cover you would be stuck on a technician's wage, about €13-17 an hour.
Unless your partner has the means to earn a lot of money you would be better to stay put for now.

[amjon]

There is a bit of locum work in the South, a few supervising pharmacist jobs and a couple support jobs going every other month. If you are willing to travel alot and work weekends then you will hit 40 odd hours a week most of the time except maybe January and Febuary. As you get contacts you will pick up more work.