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Pharmacy Assistant

About the Program

The Pharmacy Assistant diploma program prepares you for a rewarding career in the pharmaceutical industry in just 32 weeks, combining rigorous instructor-led training with a practical 6-week, 200-hour internship in a community pharmacy. Delivered online through live, interactive sessions with campus support available at multiple Ontario locations (Toronto, London, Mississauga, Brampton, Kitchener, Hamilton, Ottawa, Windsor), you'll learn in a classroom environment that mirrors real-world pharmacy settings complete with industry-relevant equipment. Benefit from small class sizes and personalized attention from instructors deeply embedded in the pharmaceutical industry, with 80% of graduates employed in related fields within 12 months.

What You'll Learn

Prescription Processing & Pharmacy Operations - Master prescription interpretation, medication safety protocols, billing, inventory management, and computerized dispensary systems used in community pharmacies
Pharmacy Compounding & Mathematics - Learn customized medication preparation techniques including weighing, measuring, mixing, quality control, plus pharmacy calculations for dosages and pricing
Pharmacology & Medical Knowledge - Understand drug classifications, mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses, side effects, and medical terminology including anatomy, physiology, and commonly used Canadian medications
Pharmacy Law, Ethics & Safety - Study legal frameworks (Food and Drugs Act, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act), professional responsibilities, ethical decision-making, plus Standard First Aid/CPR/WHMIS certification

Key Program Features

38 weeks total - 32 weeks intensive training + 6-week (200-hour) internship in community pharmacy
Live online delivery with campus support - interactive instructor-led sessions with on-site assistance available at 8 Ontario locations
Industry equipment & software - hands-on experience with pharmacy-grade tools, computerized systems, Microsoft Office included in tuition
90% employment rate - strong track record of graduates working in pharmaceutical field within 12 months, many hired at internship sites

Career Opportunities

Roles: Pharmacy Assistant in retail pharmacies (Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart, Rexall, Costco), hospitals (Toronto Western, Joseph Brant), home healthcare companies, pharmaceutical distributors earning $22-$33/hour

Why it matters: Join Ontario's essential healthcare workforce supporting pharmacists in delivering critical pharmaceutical care—make a meaningful difference in patient safety while building a stable career in the growing pharmaceutical industry

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*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.