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 experience.
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.
- Registered Pharmacy Technicians are licensed with the Ontario College of Pharmacists. www.ocpinfo.com
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:
- Learn about the Language Proficiency Requirements for the Pharmacy Technician Program.
Courses
The curriculum below is for incoming students:
Placement Requirements
Please be aware that although a COVID-19 vaccination is not required to attend St. Clair College, all our placement sites may require students to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to be eligible to attend. Unfortunately, we cannot predict if a placement site will begin to require full vaccination and as such, we are encouraging all students to consider vaccination. If the requirement of your placement sites changes at any point, you will be notified immediately by the College.
It is important to note that if placement sites do require students to be fully vaccinated to attend their organization, 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.
If you have any questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, please contact our St. Clair College Health Centre at 519-972-2727 ext. 4484 (in Windsor) or 519-354-9100 ext. 3729 (in Chatham).
Applicants are required to have the following completed prior to clinical placement. You are responsible for the associated costs.
- Standard First Aid (online courses are NOT acceptable)
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Level C with AED (online courses are not acceptable)
- N95 Mask Fit
- Employer requirement for up-to-date CLEAR POLICE CLEARANCE (vulnerable sector screening)
- MUST be obtained by you, the student.
- Obtain the Police Clearance by the first week of your first semester
- Clinical placements may be on day, afternoon or weekend shifts ANYWHERE within Ontario.
- You are responsible for travel and accommodation costs.
Health Requirements
- Medical Requirements Form
- A satisfactory medical exam.
- An up-to-date immunization record including tetanus and diphtheria, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), Hepatitis B (incl. Hep B titre within the last 24 months) and TB skin test.
Clinical Practicums
- The Pharmacy Technician program clinical placement is 12 weeks. The program arranges placement at participating clinical sites located in Ontario.
- You are required to pay the cost of living during the Clinical Practicum.
- There are no guarantees that you will be placed in Windsor.
- Your police check is not required until the semester before your clinical placement.
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.
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