What to expect

Graduates of the pharmacy technician program at Eastern College will acquire an in-depth understanding of the skills needed to work in this rapidly evolving field. In addition, they will become familiar with the role of pharmacy technicians, specifically with regard to their position as valued members of a health care team. As such, they will develop relationships with patients and work in collaboration with other health care providers to prepare, dispense, and compound medications, as well as manage inventory, perform administrative tasks, and assist in the provision of pharmaceutical care.

Graduates of this program are qualified to work in hospitals, retail pharmacies, and long-term care facilities. In order to ensure that graduates secure a firm grasp on the topics discussed and the duties involved, classrooms are designed to simulate real-world pharmacy settings, including practice with equipment. To further this aim of hands-on experience, the program includes an 8-week field placement at a licenced pharmacy where participants learn precisely what it’s like to act as a contributing member of a pharmacy team.

Accreditation

Regulation of the pharmacy technician profession varies on a province-to-province basis. Standards for accreditation in a particular province are outlined by the Canadian Council for the Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP).

It is true that many Canadian pharmacies are legally permitted to hire individuals to act in the capacity of pharmacy technicians even if they are not accredited as such. However, in practice, this is seldom the case. In order to be competitive, and to be viewed by employers as a potential candidate, prospective pharmacy technicians need to complete an appropriate program from an accredited educational institution.

Eastern College is always looking for bright individuals to participate in its pharmacy technician program! It’s accredited by the CCAPP, which is the real deal. This ensures that graduates will receive an education that meets competency requirements developed by regulators for pharmacy technicians throughout Canada. For a list of the provincial regulatory bodies that oversee these requirements, visit the CCAPP website.

Highlights

The pharmacy technician program offered by Eastern College prepares students to meet 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).

To meet these standards, the delivered curriculum is based on learning outcomes outlined by the Canadian Pharmacy Technician Educators Association (CPTEA). Eastern College wants to supply Canadian pharmacies with graduates who recognize the need for teamwork, safety, and accuracy in patient care. Learn to operate in a team – not just with machinery!

Check out our Pharmacy Technician program page.

Learn more about the industry and about Eastern College’s Pharmacy Assistant program.