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Pharmacy Assistant with Practicum

Diploma Program

Total Program Hours:
740 Hours
Full-Time Program Length:
37 Weeks
(Includes holidays and professional days)
Program content is subject to change.

Online and On-Campus Delivery Options may be available!

Pharmacy Assistants help licensed Pharmacists provide medication and other health care products to patients. Pharmacy Assistants usually perform routine tasks to help prepare prescribed medication, such as counting tablets and labelling bottles. They also perform administrative duties, such as answering phones, stocking shelves, and operating cash registers. Pharmacy Assistants refer any questions regarding prescriptions, drug information, or health matters to a pharmacist. CPR, First Aid and WHMIS will be completed during the program.

In large pharmacies and health-systems, pharmacy assistants with significant training, experience and certification can be promoted to supervisory positions, mentoring and training pharmacy assistants with less experience. Some may advance into specialty positions such as chemo therapy assistants and nuclear pharmacy assistants. Others move into sales. This program gives the student the necessary skills to be competitive in this exciting field.

This program includes practicum placement. This experience within a workplace enables Instructional staff to observe the student in a practice situation while providing the student with the opportunity to gain direct exposure to the chosen career field.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Assist licensed pharmacists in providing medication and other health care products to patients
  • Perform tasks to help prepare prescribed medications, such as counting tablets and labelling bottles
  • Perform administrative tasks such as answering phones, stocking shelves and receiving payments

Grant and Scholarship Opportunities

Save on tuition with a variety of scholarship and grant options. Up to $4000 in scholarships and grants are available to recent high school graduates, Sprott Shaw alumni, military veterans, and more! Click here to browse our full list of grants and scholarships.

Admission Requirements:
  • Grade 12 / GED or mature student status (all transcripts must be “true certified copies” or originals).
  • Applicants must successfully complete the admissions interview and entrance assessments with a minimum score of 20/40 in the English Assessment and a minimum score of 20/40 in the Math Assessment (with a minimum composite score of 42/80).
  • For more information on English Language requirements and equivalencies please click here.

Domestic Students:

  • Domestic students that can provide a Canadian transcript showing completion of English 11 or 12 (or equivalent) with a passing grade of ‘C’, will be exempt from having to write the English Entrance Assessment.
  • Domestic students that can provide a Canadian transcript showing completion of Math 10, 11 or 12 (or equivalent) with a passing grade of ‘C’, will be exempt from having to write the Math Entrance Assessment.

International Students:

  • International students that can provide a Canadian transcript showing completion of Math 10, 11 or 12 (or equivalent) with a passing grade of ‘C’ will be exempt from having to write the Math Entrance Assessment. The equivalent credential must be evaluated and verified.
  • International students that can provide a Canadian transcript showing completion of English 11 or 12 (or equivalent) with a passing grade of ‘C’ will be exempt from having to write the English Entrance Assessment. The equivalent credential must be evaluated and verified.
  • International students can also meet the English requirement by demonstrating one of the following three options:
  • Sprott Shaw’s English Language Assessment, OR
  • Minimum IELTS Score 5.5 overall or iBT TOFEL Score of 70, OR
  • Completion of an ESL program from one of SSC’s partnered ESL schools.
  • Provide evidence of full COVID-19 vaccination OR a signed vaccination waiver on file.
Diploma Requirements:
  • 60% average upon successful completion of all courses, including courses given a complete.
  • CPR, First Aid and WHMIS will be completed during the program.
Other Requirements:
  • FACPR First Aid /CPR (Comp/Inc).
  • WHMIS WHMIS (Comp/Inc).
  • Students can expect to complete 1 – 4 hours of homework per day.
* Pharmacy Assistant with Practicum was reviewed and approved by the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.

Contact an Admissions Advisor for More Information Today!

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Our advisors are happy to answer any questions.

Courses List

This 37 week Diploma program requires the student to complete the following courses.

  • MS Office Word Certification
  • MS Office Word editing, layout, templates, styles and
    sections, mail merge, tables, charts and desktop publishing

  • MS Office Excel Certification
  • Plan, edit and manage worksheets (formulas/functions)

  • Computer basics/file management
  • Goal setting, note-taking, problem-solving, teamwork
  • Overview of policies and procedures
  • Demonstrate the ability to use MS Word and MS PowerPoint

  • Research, prepare and deliver presentations
  • Apply proper use of grammar principles
  • Overview of processes of communication in the workplace
  • Use MS Office PowerPoint

  • Importance of written communication within the business environment
  • Memos, email, letters and reports

Strategies for Student Success:

  • Interview techniques
  • Create a Career Development Marketing Plan
  • Apply aspects of professionalism
  • Identify target markets and employment resources

  • Effective customer service and support
  • Problem-solving theory and applications

  • Anatomy and physiology as related to the body systems
  • Associate pathological conditions with the body systems
  • Define pharmacology and related terminology
  • Identify all standard medical abbreviations
  • WHMIS Certification

  • 4-week practicum (minimum 20 hours per week)

  • Pharmaceutical calculations
  • Intro to dispensing

  • Basic pharmacological terminology
  • Drug classification

  • Organization & structure
  • Cytotoxic drugs
  • Antiseptics, disinfectants

  • Billing practises
  • Merchandising

  • Pharmacy lab is an ongoing project done throughout the pharmacy program:
  • 20 lab hours in PH101 - Introduction to Pharmacy
  • 5 lab hours in PH105 - Aseptic Techniques
  • 15 lab hours in PH106 - Retail Applications

  • This course focuses on the fundamental principles of accounting with full online courseware that includes the digital textbook and learning materials.

  • Skills and strategies conducive to learning in a college atmosphere, orientation to the college environment, using technology, knowing college policies and procedures.
  • Time management, writing and using citations, study strategies, student budgeting, and wellness/self-care/stress management.
  • An orientation to the PCP program and the emergency medicine professions.
  • Prepare for upcoming studies, learning environments, and work experience placements throughout the program.

Contact an Admissions Advisor for More Information Today!

Contact Us Today!

Our advisors are happy to answer any questions.

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