Ontario College Certificate in Community Pharmacy Assistant
Start Dates:
September 2020
Train to be a key member of the multi-disciplinary team providing community pharmaceutical services. The pharmacy personnel landscape is evolving and Community Pharmacy Assistants are in high demand. Work alongside pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in community, medical clinic pharmacies or long-term care pharmacy settings.
The Fall 2019 intake for this program has been cancelled. This page will be updated as further intakes are scheduled.
Program Highlights
This new, three-semester program is flexible in its delivery (online and in class) which allows you time to work while completing your coursework.
It includes extensive applied learning opportunities: onsite training in our state-of-the-art Pharmacy Technician lab, online and in-class sessions in semester two, followed by a 140 hour field placement in semester three.
You will practice your skills and techniques in a real - life pharmacy setting using pharmacy software.
The field placement experience provides you with on-the-job training to enhance your employment opportunities.
You will be exposed to the most up-to-date pharmaceutical products, practices and distribution methodologies.
Your professional training will include dispensing and prescription processing, compounding, calculations, standards of practice, pharmacy computer systems, community pharmacy practice, inventory management, patient profiles and billing procedures.
In addition to this training, you will gain valuable skills employers are looking for including document use, writing, numeracy, oral communication, critical thinking, and proficiency with digital technology. This will help you in collaborating with other pharmacy health care professionals and the public.
Career Opportunities
Demand for pharmacy services are increasing as a result of aging populations and the expanded role pharmacists have in delivering patient care and services.
You will graduate, well prepared to assist Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians in a variety of settings:
- Community pharmacy
- Long-term care specialty pharmacy
- Medical clinic
- Methadone clinic
You could also work with related industries including:
- Pharmaceutical sales and distribution
- Pharmacy application software suppliers
- Pharmacy benefits administration and consulting firm
Related Programs
Graduates might want to consider the Pharmacy Technician program for further career advancement in the industry.
Minimum Admission Requirements
Students applying to Community Pharmacy Assistant must meet the following requirements:
- OSSD including Gr 11 or Gr 12 C or Gr 12 U English, or equivalent
OSSD with majority of courses at College (C ) or Open (O) unless otherwise stated.
Grade 12 C courses will be accepted where Gr 11 C course requirements are listed.
Where College level courses are listed, U and M courses will be accepted.
Two Gr 11 courses will be accepted in lieu of a Gr 12 course requirement.
Recommended (but not required for admission)
- Gr 11 C or Gr 12 C Math
Health and Non Academic Requirements
Your program has mandatory immunization requirements that include a "pre-entry" deadline date for submission. For more information, and to print a copy of the immunization form, please see the Immunization Information page.
Mature Students
If you are 19 years of age or older before classes start, and you do not possess an OSSD, you can write the Canadian Adult Achievement Test to assess your eligibility for admission. Additional testing or academic upgrading may be necessary to meet specific course requirements for this program.
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