Program Overview
Pharmacy Technician graduates have acquired the knowledge and skills that prove entry-level competencies are met as outlined in the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA). Pharmacy Technicians collaborate with Pharmacists and other Health Professionals as part of a team to support and promote health and wellness for patients and their healthcare goals. Pharmacy Technicians ensure safety, accuracy and efficiency in all areas of medication preparation and dispensing complying with Legislation. Our program offers state-of-the-art hospital and community practice labs where they learn to prepare sterile and non-sterile preparations, inventory management, community, institutional and hospital preparation and product distribution. Our program also offers unique intra/inter-professional education experiences.
Program Highlights
- The Pharmacy Technician Program of St. Clair College has been awarded Accreditation Status by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2025.
- Our graduates meet NAPRA's Professional Competencies for Canadian Pharmacy Technicians at Entry to Practice.
- Our graduates are eligible to write the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada’s National Licensing Exam (www.pebc.ca) and if successful may go on to become Regulated Pharmacy Technicians. (RPhT)
- Students will complete two 6-week clinical placements in both Community and Hospital pharmacies. Students will complete 225 hours of Community placement in year 1. Students will complete 160 hours of Hospital placement and 75 hours of Community placement in year 2.
- Registered Pharmacy Technicians are licensed with the Ontario College of Pharmacists. www.ocpinfo.com
Regulated Health Professionals
Start here, go anywhere! Registered Pharmacy Technicians are one of 26 regulated health professions in Ontario. St. Clair College is your starting point to become a regulated health professional as a Registered Pharmacy Technician. Regulated health professionals work within a scope of practice that is governed by their regulatory body that holds its members accountable to uphold the standards of practice for the profession, among many other things.
The pathway to registration begins by graduating from a CCAPP-Accredited Canadian Pharmacy Technician Program. Graduates from our program are qualified to begin the process of registration through the Ontario College of Pharmacists and the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada. Information on the steps required for registration can be found on the OCP website.
Career Opportunities
When you graduate opportunities await you such as Community Pharmacies, Hospital Pharmacies, Institutional Pharmacies, Compounding Pharmacies, Home Healthcare Divisions/Companies, Pharmacy Benefits Administration, Pharmacy Application Software Vendors and Pharmaceutical Distribution Wholesalers.
Admission Requirements
OSSD with the majority of courses at the College (C), University (U), University/College (M) or Open (O) level plus:
- Grade 12 Math (C) or (U)
- Senior Level Chemistry (C) or (U)
- Senior Level Biology (C) or (U)
- Grade 12 English - ENG4U, ENG4C, EAE4U or EAE4C
OR
- equivalent courses from the Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees program or the Academic and Career Entrance program.
Mature students - See Admission Procedures for details.
For more information, see the Admission Procedures document on the Registrar's Office page.
Important Information
This is a HIGH-INTEREST program and has the potential to become oversubscribed. Applicants are advised to apply before February 1st. See Admission Procedures for details.
Attention International students and students who present with foreign credentials:
Courses
The curriculum below is for incoming students:
Semester 1
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
LBS110G
|
Communication Across Cultures
|
3
|
|
PRM123
|
Introduction To Anatomy, Physiology And Pharmacology
|
2
|
|
PRM207
|
Inventory Theory & Lab
|
2
|
|
PRM124
|
Introduction To Pharmaceutical Mathematics
|
2
|
|
PRM133
|
Computer Lab Retail I
|
2
|
|
PRM135
|
Pharmacy Practice Retail
|
3
|
|
PRM113
|
Dispensing Lab Retail I
|
3
|
Semester 2
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
PRM215
|
Institutional - Theory & Lab
|
2
|
|
PRM205
|
Pharmaceutical Mathematics II
|
2
|
|
PRM226
|
Compounding Retail Theory & Lab
|
3
|
|
PRM206
|
Computer Lab Retail II
|
2
|
|
PRM230
|
Dispensing Lab Retail II
|
3
|
|
PRM211
|
Health Promotion & Research
|
1
|
Semester 4
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
PRM303
|
Dispensing Lab Hospital I
|
3
|
|
PRM307
|
Pharmacy Practice Hospital I
|
3
|
|
PRM416
|
Sterile Lab I & Sterile Lab II
|
3
|
|
PRM315
|
Pharmacy Communications
|
2
|
|
PRM301
|
Computer Lab Hospital I
|
2
|
|
PRM302
|
Hospital Calculations
|
1
|
Semester 5
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
PRM502
|
Dispensing Lab Hospital II
|
3
|
|
PRM410
|
Pharmacy Practice Hospital II
|
2
|
|
PRM326
|
Compounding Hospital Theory & Lab
|
3
|
|
PRM436
|
Computer Lab Hospital II
|
1
|
|
PRM501
|
Ethics And Intra/Interprofessional Collaboration
|
2
|
Semester 6
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
|
PRM606
|
Hospital/Community Placement
|
15
|
Pre-Placement Requirements
St. Clair College has partnered with Synergy Gateway Inc to provide you access to Verified - a platform that is used by students at other post-secondary institutions across Ontario for the purpose of digitally collecting placement requirements related to placement(s). Synergy Gateway Inc will provide support and clearance to help with your required documentation. You will be required to complete an Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV) Review through the Verified platform in order to receive clearance to begin your clinical placement. You will be provided access to "Verified" via a secure username and password. You will use Verified to:
- Upload your pre-placement requirements documentation for review.
- Book your Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV) service (this is a service that reviews the documents you have uploaded and provides you a status as to your eligibility to begin placements).
- Track your ongoing requirements compliance.
Each student will receive log-in credentials to access Verified that will be sent to your St. Clair College email account. Please check your inbox, spam and junk mail folders for an email from the "Synergy Help Desk". You will be required to create a new password upon logging in. Be sure to view the video user guides and student guidebook to learn how to use the Verified platform.
Any associated fees for Synergy Gateway Inc to complete the pre-placement requirements are the sole responsibility of the students:
- Synergy Review Fee: $50.50 + tax
- Synergy Follow-Up Review Fee: $10.50 + tax
It is mandatory that students complete their ERV service through Verified to be eligible for your upcoming clinical placement.
Once your account has been set up with Verified, inquiries can be directed to Synergy Gateway Inc at www.Synergyhelps.com. You will need to submit a Help Desk ticket. Their Help Desk hours are Monday to Friday: 10 am - 3 pm, excluding holidays.
** Please note: If you are an International student completing a placement, you will require a valid COOP Work Permit.
Requirements
(Please refer to your Synergy communications for full details)
This is to make you aware that, although a COVID-19 vaccination is not required to attend St. Clair College, most of our placement sites require students to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to be eligible to attend. Students who are not fully vaccinated cannot be provided with a placement for their program and, therefore, will not be able to complete their programs. Please be advised that COVID-19 booster shots and/or other requirements may become mandatory for placement, however, they are not currently required.
- Student placements are assigned at the discretion of the program.
- Students may be required to obtain further clearances for placement at the discretion of the placement site.
- Student personal requests for placement cannot be accommodated.
- Placements may be outside the Windsor/Chatham area (& could possibly expand throughout the province)
- Students are responsible for their own accommodation.
- Students are responsible for their own travel and all costs of placements.
- Students are responsible for the cost of scrub uniforms/footwear and equipment (such as a stethoscope, a watch with a second hand) and other incidentals as required.
- Placement schedules may include shifts on days, afternoons, weekends and holidays throughout the program based on placement needs and agency availability.
Your Investment
The standard tuition and compulsory fees for the current academic year:
2024-2025 Tuition Fees
For programs with Experiential Learning (Work Placement/Internship): Costs for accommodation, if needed, travel and related expenses are at the student's own expense. It is recommended for most programs, that students have access to a laptop or desktop computer while away from home during experiential learning periods.
Textbooks and other materials are in addition to Tuition Fees. Textbook prices may be found on the Bookstore website.
Please be aware that tuition and compulsory fees are subject to adjustment each year. The College reserves the right to change, amend or alter fees as necessary without notice or prejudice.
Smart Start Information
Program Physical Demands Analysis
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Pharmacy Technician (Ontario College Diploma) (MTCU Code 51623)
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Practice safely within a legal, ethical and professional framework in practice settings.
- Process prescriptions accurately in compliance with pertinent legislation and established standards, policies and procedures in practice settings.
- Prepare pharmaceutical products for dispensing in compliance with pertinent legislation and established standards, policies and procedures in practice settings.
- Release pharmaceutical products in compliance with pertinent legislation and established standards, policies and procedures in practice settings.
- Collaborate with the pharmacist and other health care providers to optimize the patient’s health and well-being within the scope of practice of the pharmacy technician.
- Promote quality assurance by performing effective and efficient administrative functions in practice settings.
- Optimize medication therapy management and product distribution using current technologies in practice settings.
- Develop and implement effective strategies for ongoing personal and professional development that support currency, competence, ethics and values in the pharmacy sector.
Pharmacy Technician (Ontario College Certificate) (MTCU Code 51623) - Effective September 2025
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Process prescriptions with accuracy and completeness within the pharmacy technician’s scope of practice, in accordance with current and relevant legislation, code of ethics, established standards, policies, and procedures in practice settings.
- Prepare pharmaceutical products and documentation for dispensing and releasing pharmaceutical products within the pharmacy technician’s scope of practice, in accordance with current and relevant legislation, code of ethics, established standards, policies, and procedures in practice settings.
- Collaborate with the pharmacist and other health care providers to optimize the patient’s health and well-being.
- Promote quality assurance in practice settings by performing effective and efficient pharmacy operating procedures.
- Optimize medication therapy management and product distribution using current technologies in practice settings.
- Develop, implement, and maintain effective strategies for ongoing personal and professional development that support competence and currency.
- Communicate using correct terminology with patients, the pharmacy team, other health professionals and stakeholders for patient safety.
Additional Information
- VISION: Striving for Excellence in Pharmacy Care.
- MISSION: To engage faculty and students in a model learning environment to produce a pharmacy technician graduate that meets the NAPRA (National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities) competencies and the CPTEA (Canadian Pharmacy Technician Educators Association) educational outcomes with a commitment to lifelong learning and working in collaboration with other health care professionals to provide the best possible patient care.
Program Facts for Incoming Fall Students
Required Equipment, Clothing/Uniform
- The Pharmacy Technician program has a standard uniform (scrub) for students. The uniform consists of a royal blue short-sleeve scrub top and matching pants with an embroidered logo that must be purchased at the Campus Bookstore. This uniform is a requirement for all labs.
- You will also be required to bring to applicable labs a lanyard, nitrile gloves and safety glasses.
- These items may be purchased at the Campus Bookstore, along with the required texts.
- You can access the Campus Bookstore at www.stclaircollege.ca/student-services/bookstore
- You will be able to search the required texts online by selecting the Term, Division, Department (PRM) and Course Code(s). The Campus Bookstore staff will be able to direct you to the designated program areas.
Footwear
- Shoes - closed, non-slip duty or athletic shoes are required, with no mesh openings to allow for needle sticks.
- Clogs, Crocs, or plastic slip-on shoes are not acceptable due to health and safety concerns.
Health & Safety Requirements, Immunizations
- It is strongly recommended that you begin your immunization requirements as soon as you have been accepted into the program. You must bring your completed Passport to Health to the College Health Center in your first semester to ensure completion before clinical practicums.
- The health forms can be accessed at www.stclaircollege.ca/health-centre/documents
- There is a Health & Safety Module that you must review and acknowledge on the Pharmacy Technician Program Blackboard site. There are instructions on how to complete the Health & Safety review, quiz and documentation on the site. This is a requirement of St. Clair College.
Faculty
Esmeralda Sokoli RPhT
(519) 972-2727, ext. 4533
esokoli@stclaircollege.ca
Dr. Kaitlyn Harnden RPh, PharmD, CDE
519-972-2727 ext. 4318
kharnden@stclaircollege.ca