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Healthcare

Pharmacy Technician

As a Pharmacy Technician, you will work under the direction of licensed pharmacists to carry out pharmacy-related tasks. Your role will enhance a patient’s health by ensuring patients receive accurate prescriptions.

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Type

Diploma

Duration

54 Weeks

Internship

9 Weeks

Program Outline

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About The Pharmacy Technician 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

89 %

Employment Rate*

$ 18

Average Wage/hr**

$ 27

High Wage/hr**

*Employment Rate based on 2022 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 Jan 2024.

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; 
  • Accredited 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
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Icon-Quiz-Small Created with Sketch. Management of Drug Distribution Systems
This course will examine various drug distribution systems in pharmacy practice and prepare learners to effectively manage operations in different practice settings to ensure safe and effective drug supply and distribution. Learners will explore distributive functions in institutional settings, as well as common drug plans and their formularies, adjudication challenges, inventory management elements, and common business practices. Accurate product release within the parameters of the pharmacy technician role receives special emphasis.
Icon-Quiz-Small Created with Sketch. Pharmacology
This course provides a practical, applied approach to pharmacology. Through a variety of learning tools such as assignments, quizzes, case studies, and group work, the student will enhance their ability to practice competently and contribute to a safe patient care setting. Participants will gain basic knowledge related to the pharmacological uses of drugs within a variety of commonly encountered medical conditions.
Icon-Quiz-Small Created with Sketch. Product Preparation
This course addresses the theoretical knowledge and practical skills essential for safe and accurate preparation of sterile and non-sterile pharmaceutical products. For non-sterile preparation, students will focus on compounding practices for various internal and external preparations and specialty dosage forms, equipment and tools, professional guidelines, standards and legislation, pharmaceutical calculations, and documentation requirements. For sterile product preparation, areas of emphasis include infection control, aseptic technique, parenteral dosage forms, accurate calculations, appropriate use of equipment, and quality control. Best practices associated with the preparation of TPN and antineoplastics are also covered.
Icon-Quiz-Small Created with Sketch. Professional Practice
Students will be prepared for entry to practice in four main areas of focus: ethics and professionalism, legal requirements, scope of practice, and communication skills. Through a variety of learning tools, the student will enhance his/her ability to practice competently within the professional practice framework.
Admission Requirements
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  • 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
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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), Robyn Oickle RPhT and Jessica Bouchard RPhT.

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.

Career Quiz

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Instructor Quote

Pharmacy technicians are health professionals that are in demand. Graduates can be assured they will find work they will love in a great variety of settings from hospitals to community pharmacies to specialty stores even in insurance companies or IT companies that service pharmacies - the sky is the limit. The role of the technician has expanded quickly and will continue to grow as pharmacists take on more roles. This is an exciting time to be part of a rapidly changing profession and help shape the future of pharmacy.

Karen Barberie

Pharmacy Technician Instructor

Frequently Asked Questions About Pharmacy Technician

 

 

How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Nova Scotia?
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After successfully completing the program, before you can apply for licensure with the Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists (NSCP) there are a few more steps to complete. You will need to complete the structured practical training under the supervision of a pharmacist or pharmacy technician. successfully complete a provincial law exam (jurisprudence exam) and you'll need to pass the PEBC Qualifying Exams to demonstrate your knowledge and skills. Once you have completed your training, passed the exams, and met all requirements, you can apply for registration with the NSCP as a Licensed Pharmacy Technician.
What Does a Pharmacy Technician Do?
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A pharmacy technician is a healthcare professional who plays a crucial role in supporting pharmacists and ensuring the safe and efficient operation of a pharmacy. Pharmacy technicians work under the direction of licensed pharmacists. They assist pharmacists in various aspects of their work to ensure that medications are dispensed safely and accurately. Their role varies greatly depending on the type of pharmacy they work in but may include ensuring the accuracy of prescriptions that are prepared for patients, medication inventory management, helping to resolve insurance claim issues, training patients how to properly use various medical devices, and making specialized medications in both sterile and non-sterile environments.