Attend One of Canadas Reliable Pharmacy Technician Programs at Centennial College
Due to
the challenging nature of the pharmacy technician profession,
professionals in the field must have strong critical thinking,
mathematical and English communication skills, and a commitment to
self-directed thinking. While applicants to Centennial College’s
pharmacy technician program should possess these skills, they stand to
develop many others, such as: knowledge of pharmacology and unparalleled
skills in aseptic technique, pharmaceutical calculations, compounding,
inventory control, community and institution dispensing.
Centennial
College’s program takes just two years to complete, results in an
Ontario College Diploma and incorporates classroom, lab work and four
field placements that total 350 hours. Those interested in applying for
admission must possess an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or
equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. In addition, applicants to
the pharmacy technician program must have the compulsory English 12C or U
credit or skills assessment, or equivalent; the Math 11M or U or 12C
or U or skills assessment, or equivalent; 11C, or U or 12C, or U,
chemistry, physics or biology, or skills assessment, or equivalent.
The
Centennial College offering prepares students to meet the strict
vocational outcomes and elements of performance for Pharmacy Technicians
approved by the Ministry of Education through pharmacy technician course
such as: Community Pharmacy Computers, Pharmaceutical Calculations,
Community Dispensing Practice, Home Health Care and Non-Prescription
Products, Anatomy and Physiology, Aseptic Technique Principles and many
others. In addition to these courses, which consist of lectures and
hands-on learning, students participate in work experience within
community, hospital and corporate environments. During this time they
apply what they have learned and gain new knowledge from the
professionals with whom they work.
Students of this pharmacy
technician program are also eligible to write The Pharmacy Examining
Board of Canada qualifying exam for pharmacy technicians in pursuit of
the RPhT (Registered Pharmacy Technician) designation. The program is
accredited with the Canadian Council of Accreditation of Pharmacy
Programs.
Upon graduation, students can: communicate effectively
with patients, pharmacists, other colleagues and with healthcare
providers within the scope of the profession; receive and prioritize
written prescriptions and verbal requests accurately in compliance with
legislation and established standards, policies and procedures;
dispense pharmaceutical products accurately, efficiently and in
compliance with legislation and established standards, policies and
procedures; and release pharmaceutical products in compliance with
legislation and established standards, policies and procedures. Their
duties include: preparing, dispensing and compounding medications;
receiving, ordering and managing inventory; interacting with patients
and a variety of health care providers; and assisting in the provision
of pharmaceutical care and pharmacy services. Based on graduate
employment surveys, the average starting salary for Centennial pharmacy
technician program graduates is in the range of $34,500. Centennial’s
program boasts an excellent graduate employment rate of 96 per cent.
Centennial College’s pharmacy technician program
provides hands-on practice, lectures and a real life experience via a
field placement, writes Jason. He also details the expected outcomes for
students who attend this offering.
