Pharmacy Technician PTN

Holland Code: C (Conventional)

What academic skills do I need to be successful in the program?

This list does not replace the admission requirements you must have for admission to the program. Please see website for details.

Literacy Strong written and verbal communications skills are needed.

Math & Science Accuracy with math is needed (math class has zero error policy). Should have an aptitude for Biology and Chemistry.

Technology Basic computer skills recommended (Microsoft Office suite, Internet, checking student portal daily).

What personal qualities should someone interested in this career have?

• Perform in an ethical manner in working with peers, faculty, health care staff, patients and customers
• Able to empathize with others
• The ability to remain calm and handle emergencies
• The ability to pay close attention to detail
• Able to make decisions quickly and request assistance/guidance from others as needed
• Able to multitask
• A willingness to keep up to date with new products and practices
• Cooperative/respectful to all members of the health care team
• Able to take charge in a situation and provide direction to others
• Able to work as a member of a team
• Active listening
• Provide feedback to people
• Enjoy working with and caring for people
• Prepared to work with people in vulnerable situations
• Able to communicate with people across the lifespan
• Strong time management/prioritization skills
• Must be self-directed

Useful background experience for this program would be

Volunteer experience in a community, institutional or hospital pharmacy (i.e. high school co-op).

What kind of work could I do when I graduate?

Graduates of this program may go on to become a …

Registered Pharmacy Technician (RPhT). (Graduates do not immediately become a RPhT, but instead are qualified to begin the process of registration with Ontario College of Pharmacists.)

The steps include

Pre-registration with the Ontario College of Pharmacists Structured Practical Training PEBC exam Ontario College of Pharmacists Jurisprudence exam Full registration with the Ontario College of Pharmacists
This process takes 6 – 12 months.

Places you may find yourself employed include

Commercial pharmacies (Shopper’s Drug Mart, Rexall, Pharmasave, Costco), hospital pharmacies, pharmacies in nursing homes or elder care facilities.

Typical working conditions for this kind of work:

• Able to accurately recall and apply oral and written procedures
• Must be able to distinguish gradients of colours (need to recognize different pills)
• May be required to work shifts including evenings, weekends and holidays, sometimes under stressful conditions
• Pharmacy technicians are on their feet for most of their shift and may be required to lift and move objects that weigh up to 10 kilograms.

Tasks a graduate may do in the workplace

• See Ontario College of Pharmacists website for details
• Gather and enter patient information and doctors' prescriptions in computer systems
• Assess prescriptions for completeness
• Receive and transcribe verbal prescriptions from prescribers
• Prepare, package and dispense prescription medications after a pharmacist has determined appropriateness of therapy
• Maintain prescription and inventory record keeping systems
• Maintain proper drug storage and security
• Place and receive orders for stock to maintain inventory
• Provide pharmaceutical care in collaboration with a pharmacist
• Process prescriptions, prepare medications (tablets, suspensions, creams, injectables) and counsel patients on medicine administration and use of diagnostic devices (blood glucose meter)

Helpful links for further research into this Fanshawe College program and career opportunity

• Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP) licensing
• PEBC)
• Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP) provides information on all pharmacy personnel here
• Ontario Pharmacists Association (OPA)
• The Canadian Association of Pharmacy Technicians (CAPT)
• National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA)
• Fanshawe’s library has prepared a subject guide for current students in this program. You may find the links and information provided very useful in learning more about this career.

Opportunities for further development or education

• Course work may be used as a basis of university admission or credits may transfer to a university degree at many different schools. More information.

Last Modified: January 22, 2024