About the Program

The Pharmacy Technician Bridging diploma program is designed as a pathway for experienced pharmacy assistants to advance their careers to become Registered Pharmacy Technicians. This part-time, 100% online program takes 48 weeks with only 3 hours of instruction per week, allowing you to work while you study and complete training in the workplace to develop the hands-on skills essential for pharmacy technician roles across Atlantic Canada and beyond.

This flexible program provides comprehensive training in professional practice skills, pharmacology, product preparation, and management of drug distribution systems while you maintain your current employment. Eastern College provides bursaries, financial assistance, and one-on-one job placement support to help you succeed from enrollment through employment. Graduates meet the academic requirements necessary to pursue licensure as a Pharmacy Technician in provinces that have approved Bridging as a pathway to licensure—including Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

What You'll Learn

• Professional practice and pharmacy systems - Professional practice skills covering ethics and professionalism, legal requirements, scope of practice, and communication skills; management of drug distribution systems examining various pharmacy practice settings, drug plans and formularies, adjudication challenges, inventory management, and common business practices
• Pharmacology and patient care - Practical, applied pharmacology providing basic knowledge related to pharmacological uses of drugs within commonly encountered medical conditions through assignments, quizzes, case studies, and group work to enhance competent practice in safe patient care settings
• Product preparation and compounding - Theoretical knowledge and practical skills for safe and accurate preparation of sterile and non-sterile pharmaceutical products, compounding practices for various dosage forms, aseptic technique, parenteral dosage forms, TPN and antineoplastic preparation, and quality control documentation
• Flexible part-time format and pathway to licensure - Only 3 hours of weekly instruction allowing you to maintain employment while studying, incorporates workplace training for hands-on skill development, meets academic requirements for Pharmacy Technician licensure in NS, NB, PEI, Manitoba, and Newfoundland and Labrador

Career Opportunities

The Pharmacy Technician Bridging diploma provides a pathway for pharmacy assistants to pursue careers as Registered Pharmacy Technicians working closely with pharmacists to provide pharmaceutical care to clients.

Career paths include:

• Registered Pharmacy Technician - Community - Work in community pharmacies providing medication management, compounding, and patient support services
• Hospital Pharmacy Technician - Support pharmaceutical care in hospital settings, sterile compounding, and medication distribution systems
• Specialty Pharmacy Technician - Work in long-term care pharmacies, specialty pharmacies, or healthcare facilities providing advanced pharmaceutical services

Salary Range: $18 – $27 per hour (Information from workingincanada.gc.ca, NOC 32124)