Expressions of interest invited to create a panel of assessors for TCQR route applications
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI), the pharmacy regulator, is inviting expressions of interest from suitably qualified applicants to establish a panel of assessors who will be involved in assessing applications made under the revised Third Country Qualification Recognition (TCQR) route.
Key information
Pharmacists wishing to practise in Ireland must be registered with the PSI. The PSI must be able to verify that the standard of an applicant pharmacist’s qualification and training meets the standard necessary for practice in Ireland in the interest of public protection.
Pharmacists who qualify in a non-EU or non-EEA country are eligible to apply to the PSI through the route known as the Third Country Qualification Recognition (TCQR) route. This route requires that an applicant first must have their qualification recognised as appropriate for practice in Ireland before they can apply to register with the PSI. In October 2022, the PSI Council considered and approved a revised TCQR process, which includes a holistic assessment of an applicant’s qualification.
The revised TCQR route has four main stages. One of these (stage 2) is the paper-based assessment of documentation by an external assessor. Applicants selected for the Panel of Assessors through this expression of interest process will carry out the paper-based assessment of TCQR applications based on criteria and following training provided. Assessors are remunerated for their role.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants to this expression of interest must meet the essential selection criteria for the panel:
- All applicants must be either a suitably senior/experienced registered pharmacist, OR be in a position to demonstrate entitlement to be so registered, OR have academic assessment experience relevant to the assessment of pharmacist or health sciences qualifications.
- All applicants must have experience in teaching and assessment at third level or experience of assessing non-national registration applications OR experience mentoring or tutoring pharmacists and pharmacy students or acting as a preceptor to pharmacy students OR involvement in assessment of pharmacists or pharmacy students, for example, during practice reviews or as an examiner.
The PSI is committed to a policy of equal opportunity, and we will endeavour to ensure diversity and balance on the Panel of Assessors.
Submitting your interest
Please consider all details about the role of a panel member, including time commitment, and the relevant requirements in this information booklet. This booklet also contains the application form to be completed by those interested.
Fully completed applications should be sent by email to eoitcqrassessor@psi.ie. Expressions of interest applications should be submitted no later than close of business on Friday 24th January 2025.
Please ensure that you provide sufficient detail and information in your application form to facilitate your application being shortlisted in the first instance. Do not provide information other than within the application form provided.
The PSI will initially establish a panel from this expression of interest process. However, a supplementary panel may be formed to allow for vacancies to be filled as they arise. A further expression of interest process may be run in the future as and when additional assessors are needed.
You will find contact information in the information booklet if you wish to raise any questions with us about the role of an assessor or about this process.
