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Pharmacy Assistant

This full time diploma program was developed using the “Pharmacy Assistant Competency Profile” and the “Pharmacy Assistant Skill Set” documents published by the Ontario College of Pharmacists. The program is 34 weeks (900 hours) in length, and consists of 450 hours of pharmacy assistant related theory, 250 hours of practical skills in the school’s well-equipped pharmacy assistant classroom and 200 hours of full time clinical work placement in a pharmacy setting. During the clinical work placement students participate in both a retail community pharmacy placement in a drug store and an institutional pharmacy placement in a hospital, long-term care facility, rehab center or similar organization. Ideally each placement will be 4 weeks in length.

Modulese

Introduction to Pharmacy Practice
Human Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology with Medical Terminology
Introduction to Computers, Applications and Keyboarding
Interpersonal Skills, Communication, Problem Solving and Client Services
Pharmaceutical Calculations
Pharmaceutical Law and Ethics
Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Fundamentals
Compounding
Sterile Products (including aseptic techniques, infection control, microbiology and handling of bio-hazardous materials)
Introduction to Pharmacy Management Software
Retail Pharmacy Practice
Hospital Pharmacy Practice (including long term care pharmacy practice)
CPR and First Aid Certifications
Employment and Career Management
Clinical Placement

Clinical Placement

Near the conclusion of the program, students are required to complete 200 hours of full time clinical work placement in a pharmacy setting. During the clinical work placement students participate in both a community pharmacy placement in a drug store and an institutional pharmacy placement in a hospital, long-term care facility, rehab center or similar organization. Ideally each placement will be 4 weeks in length.

Career Opportunities

Employment may be found in:

Retail Pharmacies
Hospitals
Long-term care facilities
Rehab centers

Admission Requirements

Grade 12 (OSSD) or equivalent
If you are 19 years or older and do not have an OSSD or equivalent, a minimum passing score of 18 on the Wonderlic SLE entrance test.
Medical Certificate (free of communicable disease with up-to-date immunization status)
Good oral and written English skills.
Admissions interview to determine suitability for the program

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Provincial Funding

Looking for student aid options offered by your local province? Choose your province of residence below to check out provincial funding options such as grants, loans, scholarships, and bursaries.

*All student funding, whether made available privately or through various government branches, is only approved to those who qualify, by the original source of funding. There are many criteria that each candidate must meet to be approved. Schools can only inform you of what may be available.