Pharmacy Technician

Description

Students prepare to work collaboratively with pharmacy teams and other health care professionals to achieve patients’ health goals, and ensure continuity of care. Experiential learning practices such as simulation experiences, and placements in community, hospital, or other pharmacy sites actively engage students in the learning process. Students enjoy the benefits of learning from expert faculty who are also practicing pharmacy professionals. Students develop knowledge, skills, and abilities in key competency areas of legal and ethical responsibilities, professionalism, patient care, product preparation, health promotion, knowledge application, communication, intra- and inter-professionalism and safety. 

Career Opportunities

Registered pharmacy technicians are qualified to work in a variety of settings, including community pharmacies, home health care companies, hospital pharmacies, pharmaceutical wholesalers, pharmacy software vendors, third party insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies and manufacturers.

Licensing as a Pharmacy Technician

The Ontario College of Pharmacists is responsible for regulating the profession of pharmacy in Ontario which includes the issuance of certificates of registration for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

In order to practice as a pharmacy technician in Ontario, graduates must complete the registration requirements as outlined on the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP) website. Graduates will be eligible to register as a pharmacy technician intern and complete the practice based assessment requirement called Practice Assessment of Competence at Entry (PACE), the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada Qualifying Exam (www.pebc.ca), and the OCP Jurisprudence, Ethics and Professionalism Exam (www.ocpinfo.com). Click on the links to access timelines and fees for registration and exams. The final application for the Certificate of Registration as a Pharmacy Technician includes obtaining personal professional liability insurance, completing the Declaration of Good Character, a police background check and paying the final application fees. Registration with the Ontario College of Pharmacists is a legal requirement to practice and is subject to the regulations and restrictions established by this governing body.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. process prescriptions with accuracy and completeness within the pharmacy technician’s scope of practice, in accordance with current and relevant legislation, code of ethics, established standards, policies, and procedures in practice settings;

2. prepare pharmaceutical products and documentation for dispensing and releasing pharmaceutical products within the pharmacy technician’s scope of practice, in accordance with current and relevant legislation, code of ethics, established standards, policies, and procedures in practice settings;

3. collaborate with the pharmacist and other health care providers to optimize the patient’s health and well-being;

4. promote quality assurance in practice settings by performing effective and efficient pharmacy operating procedures;

5. optimize medication therapy management and product distribution using current technologies in practice settings;

6. develop, implement, and maintain effective strategies for ongoing personal and professional development that support competence and currency;

7. communicate using correct terminology with patients, the pharmacy team, other health professionals and stakeholders for patient safety.

External Recognition

The Pharmacy Technician Program of Georgian College has been awarded Accreditation Status by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs for a five year term - January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2024. 

Program Progression 

The following reflects the planned progression for full-time offerings of the program.

Fall Intake

• Sem 1: Fall 2025
• Sem 2: Winter 2026
• Sem 3: Fall 2026
• Sem 4: Winter 2027

Winter Intake 

• Sem 1: Winter 2026
• Sem 2: Summer 2026
• Sem 3: Winter 2027
• Sem 4: Summer 2027

Articulation

A number of articulation agreements have been negotiated with universities and other institutions across Canada, North America and internationally. These agreements are assessed, revised and updated on a regular basis. Please contact the program co-ordinator for specific details if you are interested in pursuing such an option. Additional information can be found on our website at https://www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/

Admission Requirements

OSSD or equivalent with a minimum grade of 60% in each pre-requisite subject is required:

• Grade 12 English (C or U)
• Grade 12 Mathematics (C or U)
• Grade 11 or 12 Biology (C or U)
• Grade 11 or 12 Chemistry (C or U)

Language Proficiency Requirement

The Pharmacy Technician Program is accredited by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP). 

The English proficiency requirement can be met through:

• Language proficiency test results that meet the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) Language Proficiency Requirements for Licensure as a Pharmacy Technician in Canada, further information can be found on their website at: https://www.napra.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/NAPRA-Language-Proficiency-Requirement-Policy-February-2024-EN.pdf; or
• Graduation from high school in Canada with three consecutive, first language English courses or credits; or
•  An undergraduate degree from a university in Canada, whose instruction was provided in English

For further information, refer to Georgian’s English Language Proficiency regulation 2.4 at: https://georgiancollege.ca/admissions/policies-procedures 

Mature students, non-secondary school applicants (19 years or older), and home school applicants may also be considered for admission. Eligibility may be met by applicants who have taken equivalent courses, upgrading, completed their GED, and equivalency testing. For complete details refer to: www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/academic-regulations/

Applicants who have taken courses from a recognized and accredited post-secondary institution and/or have relevant life/learning experience may also be considered for admission; refer to the Credit for Prior Learning website for details:
www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/

Selection Process

• Applicants will be assessed and ranked based on academic grades.

Criminal Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check

Placement agencies require an up-to-date clear criminal reference check and vulnerable sector check prior to going out on placement. Students should obtain their criminal reference three months prior to placement; checks conducted earlier may not be considered current. As some jurisdictions require longer lead-time for processing, please check with the program coordinator to ensure you allow for sufficient turn-around time. It is the student's responsibility to provide the completed document prior to placement start.

NOTE: Individuals who have been charged or convicted criminally and not pardoned will be prohibited from proceeding to a clinical or work placement.

Additional Information

Certain clinical placements may require students to have updated flu shots, TB testing and Hepatitis B vaccination, Mask Fit Test (click for requirements), as well as a Police Record Check (including Vulnerable Sector Screening and a check of the Pardoned Sex Offender Data Base). It is the student's responsibility to ensure he or she is eligible to participate in clinical placements. The College assumes no responsibility for these matters and students should be aware that tuition will not be refunded in the event that access to a placement is denied. In addition to these requirements, applicants must also provide proof of a current First Aid and C.P.R. 'HCP' or 'BLS' certification, prior to the commencement of practicum courses. Registration with the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP) is mandatory to practice as a Pharmacy Technician in Ontario.

Applicants are advised that the physical requirements of the program and future employment require good vision (with or without corrective lenses), manual dexterity with repetitive motion and working on your feet for multiple hours.

Graduation Requirements

21 Program Courses
2 Communications Courses
2 Practicum Placements
3 General Education Courses

Graduation Eligibility

To graduate from this program, the passing weighted average for promotion through each semester, from year to year, and to graduate is 60%. Additionally, a student must attain a minimum of 50% or a letter grade of P (Pass) or S (Satisfactory) in each course in each semester unless otherwise stated on the course outline.

Program Tracking 

The following reflects the planned course sequence for full-time offerings of the Fall intake of the program. Where more  than one intake is offered  contact the program co-ordinator for the program tracking.

Plan of Study Grid

Semester 1		Hours
Program Courses
BIOL 1014	The Essential Body	42
COMP 1063	Community Pharmacy Computer Systems	42
MATH 1025	Pharmaceutical Calculations	28
PHRM 1000	Pharmacology Fundamentals	42
PHRM 1002	Community Pharmacy Dispensing Introductory Theory	42
PHRM 1007	Community Pharmacy Dispensing Introductory Lab	42
Communications Course
Select 1 course from the communications list during registration.		42
General Education Course
Select 1 course from the general education list during registration.		42
	Hours	322
Semester 2
Program Courses
BIOL 1012	Drug Therapy and Pathophysiology 1	56
PHRM 1009	Community Pharmacy Inventory Control	28
PHRM 1010	Non-Sterile Compounding Practice Lab	42
PHRM 1017	Community Pharmacy Dispensing Advanced Theory/Lab	70
PHRM 2004	Legal Foundations and Professional Practice	42
Practicum Placement
PHRM 1016	Practicum 1	200
General Education Course
Select 1 course from the general education list during registration.		42
	Hours	480
Semester 3
Program Courses
BIOL 2010	Drug Therapy and Pathophysiology 2	42
MATH 2009	Pharmaceutical Calculations Advanced	28
PHRM 2009	Hospital Inventory Control	28
PHRM 2011	Sterile Techniques Lab	42
PHRM 2016	Hospital Dispensing Introductory Theory/Lab	84
Communications Course
Select 1 course from the communications list during registration.		42
General Education Course
Select 1 course from the general education list during registration.		42
	Hours	308
Semester 4
Program Courses
BIOL 2011	Drug Therapy and Pathophysiology 3	42
PHRM 2006	Natural Health Products and Complementary Care	42
PHRM 2012	Advanced Compounding	28
PHRM 2013	Hospital Dispensing Advanced Theory/Lab	56
PHRM 2014	Pharmacy Practice and the Interprofessional Team	42
Practicum Placement
PHRM 2015	Practicum 2	160
	Hours	370
	Total Hours	1480

Graduation Window

Students unable to adhere to the program duration of two years (as stated above) may take a maximum of four years to complete their credential. After this time, students must be re-admitted into the program, and follow the curriculum in place at the time of re-admission.

Disclaimer: The information in this document is correct at the time of publication. Academic content of programs and courses is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational objectives and employment market needs. 

Program outlines may be subject to change in response to emerging situations, in order to facilitate student achievement of the learning outcomes required for graduation. Components such as courses, progression, coop work terms, placements, internships and other requirements may be delivered differently than published.