Healthcare

Pharmacy Technician

As a Pharmacy Technician, you will work under the direction of licensed pharmacists to carry out pharmacy-related tasks. Your role will enhance a patient’s health by ensuring patients receive accurate prescriptions.

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Type

Diploma

Duration

54 Weeks

Internship

9 Weeks

Program Outline

View Outline

Program Outline NS

About The Pharmacy Technician Program

Begin a journey towards a fulfilling career in pharmacy with Eastern College’s Pharmacy Technician program in Nova Scotia. Our curriculum not only equips you with vital technical and clerical skills—such as inventory management, record-keeping, and pharmacy equipment handling—but also immerses you in the dynamic world of pharmaceutical practice. Dive deep into practical experiences with comprehensive training in device demonstrations, mathematical precision, compounding, and prescription preparation for both hospital and community settings.

Experience a classroom environment that mirrors real-world pharmacy operations, enhancing your learning with a hands-on, 9-week field placement. This invaluable opportunity not only sharpens your skills but also broadens your professional network, setting the stage for a successful and rewarding career in the pharmacy profession.

Career Opportunities

The Pharmacy Technician diploma program will qualify graduates to pursue positions in hospitals and retail pharmacies.

Employers Who Have Hired Eastern Grads

Nova Scotia Health Authority
Costco Pharmacy
Shoppers Drug Mart
Pharmachoice
Sobeys Pharmacy
Lawtons Drugs
Medicine Shoppe

Salary

100 %

Employment Rate*

$ 18

Average Wage/hr**

$ 27

High Wage/hr**

*Employment Rate based on 2022 contactable Eastern graduates employed in a related field within 12 months.

Source: workingincanada.gc.ca

NOC Code: 3219 - **Wage data rounded down to the nearest dollar and based on Nova Scotia data. Average wage doesn't reflect the starting salary but represents the middle value between lowest to highest wages. Local (or regional) income may vary. Last updated in Jan 2024.

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Program Details

Start your career in pharmacy with Eastern College’s Pharmacy Technician Training Program, where you’ll find a dynamic and supportive learning environment designed to set you up for success. Our program features flexible classes, making it easy to balance work and study. With small class sizes, you’ll receive personalized instruction and ample one-on-one time with our expert instructors. Our pharmacy lab is crafted to replicate a real community pharmacy, giving you hands-on experience that bridges the gap between theory and practice. You’ll benefit from our module-based curriculum, which allows you to focus on one subject at a time, ensuring clarity and deep understanding.

In addition, our dedicated program coordinator takes care of arranging your field placements, so you can dive straight into practical experience without the hassle of securing a site yourself. Complete your training in just 54 weeks, including placements—much faster than other programs. This efficiency is perfect for those who want to start their careers sooner. Our Pharmacy Technician Program in Nova Scotia is offered at our Halifax campus, providing you with hands-on learning opportunities.

Our graduates’ achievements truly showcase the excellence of our program. Over the past five years, three of our alumni have been honoured as Pharmacy Technicians of the Year by the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia. Additionally, two of our current instructors are proud alumni, highlighting the enduring impact and quality of our training.

Classes are held in-person at our Halifax campus. Students enrolled in this program will receive:

Classrooms that simulate real-world pharmacy settings, including relevant equipment;
First Aid with Heartstart;
Accredited by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of pharmacy programs for a five year term – July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2027 (Halifax).

Course Listings: Nova Scotia

CPR and First Aid/WHMIS

In this module, you will complete several certifications/trainings. The CPR component provides you with comprehensive CPR training. It includes the latest first aid and CPR guidelines and meets federal and provincial regulations for Standard First Aid and CPR. Topics include: preparing to respond; the EMS system; check, call, care; airway emergencies; breathing and circulation emergencies; first aid for respiratory and cardiac arrest; wound care; head and spine injuries; bone, muscle and joint injuries; sudden medical emergencies; environmental emergencies; and poisons. The WHMIS component teaches you the basic elements of WHMIS 2015 and the Global Harmonization System. This covers the safety measures and guidelines to be followed when exposed to or working with hazardous materials.

Anatomy and Physiology for Pharmacy Technician

In this module, you will explore the structure and function of the human body to understand the effects of drugs. You will explore body systems, such as muscular, skeletal, cardiovascular, and nervous systems, one at a time and will learn how each system interacts with the other body systems. You will also define common medical terminology and explain common medical conditions that may affect the various body systems, including cancer and psychiatric disorders. You will describe different types of cancer treatment and therapeutic treatment options for psychiatric disorders. This module prepares you to understand how medications impact disease processes in the body. This module is mapped to the NAPRA Professional Competencies for Canadian Pharmacy Technicians at Entry to Practice.

Community Pharmacy for Pharmacy Technician

Upon completion of the module, you will be proficient in all common aspects of community-based pharmacy operations. You will examine the general operations and specialized activities performed in a community pharmacy setting. You will practice the necessary techniques to prepare, dispense, calculate, compound, and label. You will explore record keeping functions, billing, inventory management, and third-party insurance claim processing. You will demonstrate the responsibilities of a pharmacy technician using the campus’ pharmacy computer program. You will apply skills of good customer service, telephone courtesies, professional relationships, confidentiality, security, and other aspects of professionalism throughout this module. You will also apply your knowledge of materials and equipment used daily in the pharmacy, along with dispensary hygiene and maintenance procedures. You will explore specialized areas of community pharmacy, such as nursing home services, specialty compounding services, and diagnostic tests provided in community-based pharmacies. You will examine specialized products, including ostomy, incontinence, orthopedic, and diabetic supplies. You will also examine specialized services, such as compliance packing, pharmacist prescribing, health days, vaccination campaigns, prescription delivery services, methadone service, home health care supplies and rentals. You will explore various OTC medications, including OTC narcotics and common herbal products. You will demonstrate your competence in filling and checking prescriptions and device demonstration/training. This module is mapped to the NAPRA Professional Competencies for Canadian Pharmacy Technicians at Entry to Practice.

Comprehensive Review for Pharmacy Technician

In this module, you will review all aspects of the pharmacy technician program, including narcotic and controlled drug regulations, the Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties (CPS), pharmaceutical dosage forms/routes of administration, pharmaceutical calculations, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, common drugs, hospital pharmacy procedures and techniques, community pharmacy procedures and the pharmacy computer system. You will also prepare for the provincial jurisprudence exam.

Career Planning & Preparation - Level I

This module will introduce you to and provide practice in using the tools required for a successful job search. The concepts covered in this module will help you maintain a career-focused approach throughout your studies so that you are better prepared to conduct a job search after graduating. Specifically, you will learn how to identify your soft and hard skills and how to articulate your abilities in a clear and concise Elevator Pitch that will appeal to employers and resonate with industry contacts. You will learn about the job search resources available to you including using career websites, creating Linked In profiles, accessing the “hidden” job market, and networking. You will examine sample resumes and cover letters and begin the process of creating your own professional resumes and cover letters that align with current conventions for content, organization, and formatting. You will also learn about the role of references, thank you letters, workplace philosophies, and strategies for success including maintaining a professional image and using proper etiquette when communicating with potential employers and industry contacts. An introduction to Occupational Health and Safety is also provided with specific focus on employees’ rights and responsibilities, workplace health and safety policy and programs, hazard identification and control, and safety training options such as WHIMIS and First Aid.

Career Planning & Preparation - Level II

This module builds on concepts and skills introduced in the Career Planning and Preparation Level 1 prerequisite module. In this subsequent module, you will update and refine your resume and Linked In Profile. You will continue writing cover letters and learn the value of customizing cover letters to specific job postings. You will have the opportunity to apply this knowledge as you conduct a job search and write a cover letter tailored to an ideal job post. Through research, you will create a list of top employers and target current industry opportunities. You will learn about current methods for applying to job postings using technology. You will also gain an understanding of the job interview process, typical interview questions and possible responses, and expectations of both the interviewer and interviewee. In addition, you will engage in practical application of the interview process through role-plays. Topics such as negotiating salary, self-management, and on-the-job success for placements and post-graduate employment will be also covered.

Preparation of Extemporaneous Mixtures for Pharmacy Technician

Over the course of this module, you will compound a minimum of twenty products. You will explain the concept of pharmaceutical elegance with reference to a finished prescription product and describe the national and provincial guidelines for standards of compounding. By completing this module, you will develop the necessary competence to prepare common extemporaneous mixtures. You will apply skills of good organization, accuracy, cleanliness, quality control, and efficiency throughout the module. This module is mapped to the NAPRA Professional Competencies for Canadian Pharmacy Technicians at Entry to Practice.

Field Placement II - Pharmacy Technician

On successful completion of the classroom hours of this program, you will be placed on field placement. You will explore the relevant technical and clerical aspects of the pharmacy including inventory maintenance, record keeping, and specialized pharmacy equipment. You will build on the skills learned in the classroom and demonstrate your ability to meet the NAPRA Competencies for Canadian Pharmacy Technicians at Entry to Practice over a period of 8 weeks consisting of 4 weeks (160 hours) in a community pharmacy and 4 weeks (160 hours) in a hospital pharmacy.

Hospital Pharmacy for Pharmacy Technician I

In this module you will explore the health care system and the role of the hospital within it. You will examine the structure and organization of the hospital, focusing on the relationship of the pharmacy department with other departments and services. You will also explore the intricacies of the pharmacy department in detail, including the mission statement, the various roles of pharmacy personnel, confidentiality, and security. You will also explain the various methods of drug distribution, inventory control, and record keeping. You will describe medication reconciliation and methods used in obtaining a best possible medication history (BPMH). This module is mapped to the NAPRA Professional Competencies for Canadian Pharmacy Technicians at Entry to Practice.

Hospital Pharmacy for Pharmacy Technician II

In part 2 of the hospital module, you will focus on sterile techniques and proper methods of preparing IV products. You will apply calculations learned in previous modules. You will explore equipment and practice proper procedures. You will demonstrate competency in all aspects of preparation including proper gowning procedure and cleaning of hoods as well as preparing different types of sterile products. Attention to detail will be stressed in this module. This module is mapped to the NAPRA Professional Competencies for Canadian Pharmacy Technicians at Entry to Practice.

Introduction to Pharmacy for Pharmacy Technician

In this course, you will examine the history of pharmacy and how it has evolved to the level of pharmaceutical care present today. You will explore in detail, the role of the Pharmacist and the Pharmacy Technician and their scope of practice. You will also examine the steps to complete the licensing process. You will practice common terminology and abbreviations used in a pharmacy as well as accessing and utilizing common pharmaceutical references, including the Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties (CPS). You will also explore the federal and provincial laws, rules and regulations that govern the practice of pharmacy, such as the role of Health Canada, the Narcotic and Controlled drug laws, and the Food and Drug Act. This module is mapped to the NAPRA Professional Competencies for Canadian Pharmacy Technicians at Entry to Practice.

Pharmaceutical Fundamentals

In this module, you will develop a solid knowledge of the terminology used in pharmacy. You will explore the language and parts of a prescription in detail. You will explain common dosage forms and their administration, such as oral solid, oral liquid, topical, rectal/vaginal, parenteral, inhalation, ophthalmic, otic, and nasal and be able to compare the advantages and disadvantages of each. You will examine guidelines and procedures for maximizing drug stability, and the important role they play in maintaining it. You will also explore the clinical, scientific, economic, and educational aspects of pharmacy, along with application of the CPS and Provincial Drug Formulary. Accuracy and attention to detail will be stressed in this module. This module is mapped to the NAPRA Professional Competencies for Canadian Pharmacy Technicians at Entry to Practice.

Pharmaceutical Calculations I

In this course, you will begin with a review of basic mathematics and its application to pharmacy calculation, including Roman numerals and Arabic numbers, fractions, and ratios. You will complete different types of calculations that are performed in a pharmacy on a daily basis, such as calculating medication dosages and quantity of ingredients for compounding. You will perform calculations that are typical of those used in both hospital and community pharmacies. You will also explain apothecary and household measurements and convert between various units of measurement and systems of measurement. You will accurately interpret drug orders and properly read drug labels. By completing this module, you will be prepared for a wide range of pharmacy settings. This module is mapped to the NAPRA Professional Competencies for Canadian Pharmacy Technicians at Entry to Practice.

Pharmaceutical Calculations II

In this module you will review all calculations covered in the program. You will review and practice a range of calculations and prescription checking with an aim for 100% accuracy in all work. You will apply your skills of prescription checking and the different types of calculations used in pharmacy practice. On the last day of the module, you will write an “Entry to Practice” exam, which is marked under zero tolerance policy parameters, a requirement of any accredited Canadian Pharmacy Technician program.

Pharmacology for Pharmacy Technician

In this module you will explore a range of drugs and diseases associated with each body system. You will build on your previous experience of pathological conditions and examine different medications for their treatment. You will explore the proper use of medications and how they work in the body. You will also list various drug categories and the proper use and common side effects of them. It is important to stress that pharmacology is a very large topic, and we will only scratch the surface in this module. This module is mapped to the NAPRA Professional Competencies for Canadian Pharmacy Technicians at Entry to Practice.

Professional Skills for Pharmacy Technician

In this module you will acquire the professional skills necessary for success in today’s health care environment. You will examine the role, knowledge, and skills of your profession as well as those you will be working with during your career. You will get the opportunity to interview a health care professional in a current role to improve your intra and interprofessional collaboration skills. You will also explore key elements of professionalism and why it is important to all involved in the health care environment. You will identify the factors involved in developing a strong work ethic and how they relate to you. You will also explore the elements of self-care, such as managing change and time and stress management techniques. You will explore the elements of a successful practicum, including the benefits, preparation, and proper etiquette to ensure a successful field placement. By completing this module, you will develop your professional skills and improve your confidence to succeed in any health care setting.

Student Success Strategies

In this orientation module, you will focus on achieving success from day one. You will develop non-technical skills to enhance your personal, academic, and career success. You will explore learning styles, including visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning. You will also enhance your practical study skills, such as memory, reading, note- and test-taking techniques. Personal exercises will focus on teamwork, decision-making and problem-solving skills, setting SMART goals, and maintaining a positive attitude. You will also explore techniques for managing change, stress, and conflict.

Admission Requirements

Grade 12 or equivalent, with academic level (grade 11 and/or 12) Math, English and/or French, Chemistry and Biology. For those without high school completion, please refer to the Program Overview at the top of this page or speak to your Education Consultant.
A complete standardized health form and program of immunization will be required
A Clear Conduct Certificate
Language proficiency requirement as per the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA)

Accreditation

The Pharmacy Technician program of Eastern College has been awarded Accreditation Status by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2027.

At our Halifax campus, our courses are taught by licensed practitioner Karen Barberie, BSc. Pharm (Instructor/Program Coordinator, Halifax), Robyn Oickle RPhT and Jessica Bouchard RPhT.

Provincial Regulatory Bodies:

nbpharmacists.ca
nspharmacists.ca
napra.ca
pebc.ca
capt.ca

OUR MISSION

To prepare graduates to meet the current and future needs of the health care system as pharmacy technicians

OUR VISION

By developing pharmacy technician students that have the skills, passion, and drive for patient centered care, who collaborate as a member of the health care team, and who continually grow and adapt, we will have the best, most sought after graduates in Atlantic Canada.

OUR VALUES:

Our values are to practice in all of our relationships the following:
Integrity: We strive to be honest, trustworthy, and fair in all matters.
Dedication: We hold ourselves accountable to always maintain and improve the quality of the education we provide.
Readiness: We strive to be honest, trustworthy, and fair in all matters.
Respect: We embrace diversity and show equitable treatment of others.

OUR GOAL

To prepare students for eventual employment as Pharmacy Technicians so they meet the national standards in: legal, ethical and professional responsibilities; professional collaboration and teamwork; drug distribution – prescription and patient information, product preparation, product release, system and inventory controls; communication and education; management knowledge and skills as determined by the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA). Meeting these standards is accomplished by delivering a curriculum based on the Canadian Pharmacy Technician Educators Association (CPTEA) learning outcomes. Eastern College is committed to supplying the pharmacy community with graduates who recognize the need for collaboration, safety, and accuracy in patient care.

Structured Practice Experience (SPE) Program

One of the qualifications for registration and licensing in Nova Scotia as a pharmacy technician graduating from a CCAPP-accredited program is the completion of a “total of 560 hours of structured practice experience.” (Registration, Licensing and Professional Accountability Regulations s.8(1)(d)). The SPE program supports candidates in meeting these practice experience requirements. The Structured Practice Experience (SPE) Program is only administered by Eastern College in Halifax. Click here to learn more..

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Instructor Quote

Pharmacy technicians are health professionals that are in demand. Graduates can be assured they will find work they will love in a great variety of settings from hospitals to community pharmacies to specialty stores even in insurance companies or IT companies that service pharmacies - the sky is the limit. The role of the technician has expanded quickly and will continue to grow as pharmacists take on more roles. This is an exciting time to be part of a rapidly changing profession and help shape the future of pharmacy.

Karen Barberie

Pharmacy Technician Instructor

Frequently Asked Questions About Pharmacy Technician

How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Nova Scotia?

After successfully completing the program, before you can apply for licensure with the Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists (NSCP) there are a few more steps to complete. You will need to complete the structured practical training under the supervision of a pharmacist or pharmacy technician. successfully complete a provincial law exam (jurisprudence exam) and you'll need to pass the PEBC Qualifying Exams to demonstrate your knowledge and skills. Once you have completed your training, passed the exams, and met all requirements, you can apply for registration with the NSCP as a Licensed Pharmacy Technician.

What Does a Pharmacy Technician Do?

A pharmacy technician is a healthcare professional who plays a crucial role in supporting pharmacists and ensuring the safe and efficient operation of a pharmacy. Pharmacy technicians work under the direction of licensed pharmacists. They assist pharmacists in various aspects of their work to ensure that medications are dispensed safely and accurately. Their role varies greatly depending on the type of pharmacy they work in but may include ensuring the accuracy of prescriptions that are prepared for patients, medication inventory management, helping to resolve insurance claim issues, training patients how to properly use various medical devices, and making specialized medications in both sterile and non-sterile environments.