Healthcare
Pharmacy Technician
Under the direction of a licensed pharmacist, a pharmacy technician carries out pharmacy-related tasks to enhance a patient’s health by ensuring patients receive accurate prescriptions.
About The Program
Gain knowledge relevant to the technical and clerical aspects of the pharmacy profession including inventory maintenance, record keeping, pharmacy equipment, device demonstration, mathematical skills related to pharmacy, compounding, and prescription preparation in both hospital and community pharmacies. Throughout the program, you will learn in a classroom environment that simulates real-world pharmacy settings. Pursue a 9-week field placement for hands-on experience and for the chance to grow your professional network.
Career Opportunities
The Pharmacy Technician diploma program will qualify graduates to pursue positions in hospitals and retail pharmacies.
Employers Who Have Hired Eastern Grads
- Costco Pharmacy
- Shoppers Drug Mart
- Pharmachoice
- Jean Coutu Pharmacy
- Walmart Pharmacy
- Medicine Shoppe
Salary
Employment Rate*
Average Wage/hr**
High Wage/hr**
*Employment Rate based on 2021 contactable Eastern graduates employed in a related field within 12 months.
Source: workingincanada.gc.ca
NOC Code: 3219 - **Wage data rounded down to the nearest dollar and based on Nova Scotia data. Average wage doesn't reflect the starting salary but represents the middle value between lowest to highest wages. Local (or regional) income may vary. Last updated in Dec 2022.
Program Details
Eastern College provides a comprehensive training program for Pharmacy Technicians in Nova Scotia. Graduates of the program will walk away with in-depth knowledge of the role and the skill set required to work within this dynamic profession with its expanding scope of practice.
Pharmacy technicians function as valued members of the health care team. They develop professional relationships with patients and their caregivers, work collaboratively with other health care providers, prepare, dispense and compound medications, manage inventory, perform administrative tasks and assist in the provision of pharmaceutical care. They work primarily in retail pharmacies and hospitals.
The pharmacy technician profession is regulated in some provinces, and our program adheres to standards set by Canadian Council for the Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs, helping to ensure that our graduates get the education necessary to meet the entry to practice competency requirements developed by regulators for pharmacy technicians across Canada.
Students enrolled in this program will receive:
- Classrooms that simulate real-world pharmacy settings, including relevant equipment;
- First Aid with Heartstart;
- Full accreditation by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of pharmacy programs for a five year term – July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2027 (Halifax).
Course Listings: Nova Scotia
CPR and First Aid/WHMIS
Anatomy and Physiology for Pharmacy Technician
Community Pharmacy for Pharmacy Technician
Comprehensive Review for Pharmacy Technician
Career Planning & Preparation - Level I
Career Planning & Preparation - Level II
Preparation of Extemporaneous Mixtures for Pharmacy Technician
Field Placement II - Pharmacy Technician
Hospital Pharmacy for Pharmacy Technician I
Hospital Pharmacy for Pharmacy Technician II
Introduction to Pharmacy for Pharmacy Technician
Pharmaceutical Fundamentals
Pharmaceutical Calculations I
Pharmaceutical Calculations II
Pharmacology for Pharmacy Technician
Professional Skills for Pharmacy Technician
Student Success Strategies
Admission Requirements
- Grade 12 or equivalent, with academic level (grade 11 and/or 12) Math, English and/or French, Chemistry and Biology. For those without high school completion, please refer to the Program Overview at the top of this page or speak to your Education Consultant.
- A complete standardized health form and program of immunization will be required
- A Clear Conduct Certificate
- Language proficiency requirement as per the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA)
Accreditation
The Pharmacy Technician program of Eastern College has been awarded Accreditation Status by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2027.
At our Halifax campus, our courses are taught by licensed practitioner Karen Barberie, BSc. Pharm (Instructor/Program Coordinator, Halifax).
Provincial Regulatory Bodies:nbpharmacists.ca nspharmacists.ca napra.ca pebc.ca capt.ca
OUR MISSION
To prepare graduates to meet the current and future needs of the health care system as pharmacy technicians
OUR VISION
By developing pharmacy technician students that have the skills, passion, and drive for patient centered care, who collaborate as a member of the health care team, and who continually grow and adapt, we will have the best, most sought after graduates in Atlantic Canada.
OUR VALUES:
Our values are to practice in all of our relationships the following: Integrity: We strive to be honest, trustworthy, and fair in all matters. Dedication: We hold ourselves accountable to always maintain and improve the quality of the education we provide. Readiness: We strive to be honest, trustworthy, and fair in all matters. Respect: We embrace diversity and show equitable treatment of others.
OUR GOAL
To prepare students for eventual employment as Pharmacy Technicians so they meet the 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). Meeting these standards is accomplished by delivering a curriculum based on the Canadian Pharmacy Technician Educators Association (CPTEA) learning outcomes. Eastern College is committed to supplying the pharmacy community with graduates who recognize the need for collaboration, safety, and accuracy in patient care.
PROGRAMS:
The Structured Practice Experience (SPE) Program is only administered by Eastern College in Halifax. Please click here to learn more.
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