Toronto Education

 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 courses 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.