Pharmacy Technician

The student will be introduced to the practice of pharmacy including historical, ethical, professional and legal issues that influence pharmacy technicians and their practice. An overview of relevant federal and provincial legislation including regulation of drugs and controlled substances will be presented. The evolving role of the pharmacist and pharmacy technician as part of the intra and interprofessional health team will be explored.

This course will connect core pharmacy concepts to their practical application, with a specific focus on the community pharmacy practice setting. The student will be introduced to pharmacy workflow and terminology, including Latin/medical abbreviations, dosage forms, routes of administration, and packaging systems such as medication adherence aids. Emphasis will be placed on drug interchangeability, non-proprietary names, brand names, and therapeutic classes of common pharmaceutical products. Ontario's provincial healthcare program, Ontario Drug Benefit, will be introduced, including various plans (Seniors Plan, OHIP+, Trillium, etc.) that fall under the provincial umbrella. With an emphasis on patient safety, the student will practice submitting medication incidents through the provincial error-reporting system, and discuss prescription forgeries, pharmacy robberies and Canada's burgeoning opioid crisis. Practice within the retail pharmacy simulation labs will include interpretation and processing of prescriptions using pharmacy software systems, interactions with simulated patients, professional communication in practice, utilization of pharmaceutical resources, and various simulated scenarios.

The student will gain an appreciation for the roles of management in pharmacy practice. A number of management theories and tools will be introduced as well as concepts of organizational behavior. Students will have the opportunity to learn about human resources management practices; customer service; time management; marketing applications; merchandising concepts and inventory management. The impact of Federal and Provincial Legislation on inventory management processes will also be addressed.

In this first of a two-part course, the student will be introduced to the subject of pharmacology - the study of drug-altered function. The use of pharmaceuticals in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease will be stressed. The course will focus on the physiologic basis of drug action and antimicrobial drugs.

The student will be introduced to a variety of non-prescription self-care products and specialty services commonly found in community pharmacy practice. These include products for respiratory, ophthalmic, optic, oral hygiene, reproductive, urinary, dermatological, gastrointestinal, foot care, and home health care needs. Additionally, the course will explore medical devices, equipment, and aids for daily living. The inclusion of traditional Indigenous medicines through Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) will be examined. Non-pharmacological measures for prevention and treatment will also be discussed, with a focus on the unique role of the pharmacy technician in the Minor Ailment prescribing process. Students will apply relevant legislation, policies, by-laws, and standards in the sale of non-prescription products to ensure safe and effective practices.

Through lectures and laboratory activities the student will learn to compound non-sterile products, including calculation of ingredient quantity, techniques and detailed environmental and facility requirements. Practice may include compounding of topical, oral and other speciality products. Appropriate use, timely cleaning, and maintenance of compounding equipment will also be stressed. Emphasis will be on adhering to provincial and national standards and guidelines, preparing quality pharmaceutical products and achieving 100% accuracy in mathematical calculations.

The student will continue to build theoretical knowledge and corresponding practical skills that reflect the expanded scope of the pharmacy technician. A focus on verbal order transcribing, device demonstration, Best Possible Medication History (BPMH) processes, and performing final technical verification of the prescription will be explored. Various specialized services in community pharmacy will also be investigated, such as medication adherence packaging, medication incident reporting, adjudication of professional services, and long-term care prescription processing. The student will gain efficiency, speed, and accuracy in selecting and processing pharmaceutical products by applying knowledge of drug interchangeability, dispensary reimbursements, and various pharmaceutical resources. A professional learning portfolio will be developed to support the student's ongoing commitment to continuing education in the pharmacy profession.

In this first part of a two semester course the student will be introduced to the role of the pharmacy technician in the hospital practice setting. Typical medication delivery systems utilized in hospitals will be discussed including appropriate standards of practice. Information systems in the hospital setting will be explored including advantages and, disadvantages of electronic health records. The laboratory component will provide the student the opportunity to demonstrate various activities performed in a hospital setting including best possible medication history, documentation, independent double checks, unit dose cart fill and process of physician orders typically seen in the hospital practice setting.

In this second of a two-part theory course the student will build on the knowledge gained in Pharmacology I by discussing additional drugs in a variety of drug classifications, their major side effects and/or contraindications, major therapeutic uses, and their generic and trade names.

This dynamic and interactive course is designed to enhance students' understanding of inter-professional collaboration within healthcare. Students will participate in a two-day immersive event alongside practical nursing students, complementing their concurrent community pharmacy placement. Through a series of inter-professional activities and realistic simulations, students will develop essential skills in teamwork, respectful communication, and professional collaboration. Throughout the course, students will engage in key activities, including inputting and managing medication orders within an electronic health record (EHR), and knowledge-sharing around intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) medication processes. Students will also have the opportunity to conduct a Best Possible Medication History (BPMH), demonstrate the proper use of various medical devices, and prepare products utilized within the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) process. Additionally, students will participate in discussions on palliative care approaches and gain hands-on experience with immunization procedures. This course provides a unique opportunity for students to build confidence in their roles within a multidisciplinary healthcare team, preparing them for real-world challenges in both community and institutional pharmacy settings.

The student will compound sterile products according to legislation, guidelines and standards of practice. Students will be introduced to the concepts of sterility and incompatibilities as well as appropriate standards of practice related to the preparation of sterile products in the pharmacy. Students will perform appropriate quality assurance checks on completed products. Emphasis on performing and verifying accurate calculations for sterile product compounding stressed.

In this second part of a two-semester course, students will be introduced to areas of special control including narcotic and controlled drug processing; night cupboard maintenance; emergency products processing; and investigational drug dispensing procedures. Purchasing and inventory control activities that can be assumed by a pharmacy technician in the institutional environment will also be studied. In addition, good manufacturing practices in the packaging and documentation of pharmaceuticals in the institutional pharmacy setting will be presented and applied.

The student will continue to practise proper aseptic technique in the preparation of sterile products. Laws, regulations, standards and guidelines governing manufacture of sterile preparations including biohazard drug products will be studied. The student will gain proficiency in calculations pertaining to sterile product preparation and administration. Accuracy in sterile compounding procedures and relevant documentation will be emphasized.

In this course, students will strengthen the connections between the foundational knowledge and practical skills essential for success in the pharmacy profession. Through this culminating course students will engage in discussions on current issues and trends impacting pharmacy practice, including the role of pharmacy technicians as regulated health professionals, educational and credentialing trends, ethics and morals, safe medication practices, privacy and confidentiality, and the expanding scope of practice for both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Additionally, students will build on the principles of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), focusing on fostering inclusive practices within the pharmacy profession and addressing health disparities in diverse communities. Students will participate in intra-professional simulations and events designed to foster mentorship, practice scope-related skills, collaborative problem-solving and build an awareness of the varied opportunities for registered pharmacy technicians out in practice, such as the PCCA Student Introductory Bootcamp. The course aims to equip students with the competence, confidence, and professional insight required to excel as pharmacy technicians in an evolving healthcare landscape.