ObjectivesThis program prepares a person to function, under the supervision of a pharmacist registered by the Province of Ontario, to work in either a community or hospital pharmacy performing technical production-oriented tasks.
Practical experienceThere is a clinical placement component associated with this program.
Academic titlePharmacy Technician Ontario College Diploma
Course descriptionLevel 1 Credits
Gen Ed - Take a 3 credit General Education elective course
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
COMP-1038 Computers in Health Professions 2.00
ANAT-1015 Medical Sciences I 3.00
MATH-1051 Pharmaceutical Mathematics 3.00
PHRM-1001 Pharmacy Fundamentals 3.00
PHRM-1003 Retail Dispensing I 4.00
HIST-1020 History & Future of Healing 3.00
Level 2 Credits
Gen Ed - Take a 3 credit General Education elective course
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
ANAT-1016 Medical Sciences II 3.00
PHRM-1005 Pharmacy Inventory 2.00
PHRM-1006 Pharmacology I 2.00
PHRM-1036 Self-Care Practices 1 2.00
PHRM-1008 Retail Compounding 1.50
PHRM-1009 Retail Dispensing II 4.00
Level 3 Credits
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
PHRM-3002 Hospital Pharmacy I 3.00
PHRM-3003 Institutional Dispensing I 1.50
PHRM-3005 Pharmacology 2 3.50
PHRM-3020 Self-Care Practices 2 2.00
PHRM-3007 Sterile Procedures I 4.00
PHRM-1035 Community Placement 6.00
Level 4 Credits
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
PHRM-3010 Hospital Pharmacy II 3.00
PHRM-3011 Institutional Dispensing II 2.00
PHRM-3012 Sterile Procedures II 2.50
PHRM-3013 Institutional Compounding 1.50
PHRM-3014 Professional Issues 2.00
PHRM-3018 Hospital Placement 3.20
Gen Ed - Electives
Take 6 General Education Credits -
Normally taken in Level 1 and 2
ANAT-1015 - Medical Sciences I
In this first of a two-part course the student will be introduced to chemistry fundamentals such as the concept of pH and the effect that hydrogen ion concentration has on drug absorption and elimination. The role of enzymes and other chemicals of biological importance such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, steroids, and nucleic acids will be discussed as well as basic principles of microbiology as they relate to the practice of pharmacy and the role of the Pharmacy Technician.
ANAT-1016 - Medical Sciences II
In this second of a two-part course covering basic medical sciences such as chemistry, anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and microbiology the student will be introduced to fundamentals of human anatomy and physiology, with the focus on integration of body systems, the maintenance of homeostasis, and the pathophysiology of common disease states. Fundamentals concerning the use of pharmaceuticals in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease will also be introduced.
COMP-1038 - Computers in Health Professions
In this introductory course, an overview on the use of computers and information technology in the health professions will be presented. The student will practise basic and advanced work processing skills using current word processing software. In addition, the student will be introduced to a graphics presentation program in order to create and organize effective presentations.
HIST-1020 - History & Future of Healing
This course explores healing techniques in complementary and alternative therapies, and presents a historic overview of complementary and traditional medical therapies. Discussions are conducted around the concept and origination of healing and how the healing process occurs through the use of both contemporary and traditional medical therapies.
MATH-1051 - Pharmaceutical Mathematics
The student will review basic fundamental math skills necessary in dosage calculations. Students will learn to convert within and between the systems of measurement in order to prepare prescriptions for administration. Dosage calculations for special populations and parenteral administration will be introduced. In addition, calculations required for compounded products will be introduced and practised. Emphasis will be on increasing the student’s analytical skills to ensure accuracy in the calculation of medication orders.
PHRM-1001 - Pharmacy Fundamentals
The student will be introduced to the practice of pharmacy, including jurisprudence, and the historic and current role that pharmacy, the pharmaceutical industry, and government play in health care. The evolving role of the pharmacist and pharmacy technician will be explored. An introduction to communication skills necessary for community and hospital pharmacy practice will be presented.
PHRM-1003 - Retail Dispensing I
This course prepares students for practice in a community pharmacy setting. The student will be introduced to pharmacy as a business including marketing and merchandising concepts. The lab component will focus on skill development in the interpretation and processing of prescriptions including legal requirements; Latin and medical abbreviations; dosage forms; routes of administration; dosage calculations and third party insurance requirements. Students will become familiar with the non-proprietary names, brand names, and therapeutic classes of common pharmaceutical products.
PHRM-1005 - Pharmacy Inventory
The student will discuss the federal and provincial acts and regulations that impact on the purchasing process in pharmacy practice. Inventory control and management processes of pharmacy products including narcotic and controlled drugs; prescription and non-prescription products; equipment and devices; purchasing procedures; materials handling; and clerical functions will be studied. Emphasis is on accurate pharmacy business calculations and its importance in efficient pharmacy management.
PHRM-1006 - Pharmacology I
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, antimicrobial drugs, and drugs used to treat the common cold.
PHRM-1008 - Retail Compounding
The student will learn to compound non-sterile products, including calculation of ingredient quantity and the correct use of compounding equipment. Practice may include compounding of lotions, creams, ointments, and solutions. Appropriate use, timely cleaning and maintenance of compounding equipment will also be stressed. Emphasis will be on adhering to good manufacturing practices and preparing quality pharmaceutical products.
PHRM-1009 - Retail Dispensing II
The student will continue to build skills in the receiving, dispensing, and releasing of prescriptions. The role of a community pharmacy in providing specialized services such as compliance packaging, long term care prescription processing, methadone programs and sterile product preparation for home use will be explored. Students will gain efficiency, speed, and accuracy in selecting and processing pharmaceutical products using drug interchangeability, third-party and formulary information as well as other resources.
PHRM-1035 - Community Placement
In this field placement experience in the community pharmacy environment, the Pharmacy Technician student will be introduced to fundamentals related to communication, pharmacy office procedures, purchasing, receiving, inventory control, record-keeping, pharmacy regulations, prescription processing and compounding. The field placement experience is designed to integrate pharmacy theory into practical, hands-on training in a community-based pharmacy practice site. In addition, it will prepare the student for transition to work as a member of the pharmacy team.
PHRM-1036 - Self-Care Practices 1
The student will be introduced to a variety of non-prescription self-care products and specialty services found in pharmacy today such as dermatologic, respiratory, ophthalmic, optic, fever, pain, musculoskeletal, foot, dental, contraceptive and feminine care products. Non-pharmacological practices will also be explored.
PHRM-3002 - Hospital Pharmacy I
The student will be introduced to the hospital environment including its structure, organization, and role in health-care delivery. The roles of the pharmacist, pharmacy technician, and other health care professionals in the hospital setting will be discussed. Various drug-distribution systems used in hospitals will be presented along with the advantages and disadvantages of each. The student will learn about the development of policies and procedures including the importance of a hospital formulary system.
PHRM-3003 - Institutional Dispensing I
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 drug 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 process physician orders typically seen in the hospital practice setting.
PHRM-3005 - Pharmacology 2
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.
PHRM-3007 - Sterile Procedures I
The student will learn to compound sterile products according to appropriate techniques. 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 their products. Emphasis on performing accurate calculations prior to compounding a sterile product is stressed.
PHRM-3010 - Hospital Pharmacy II
The student will be introduced to additional aspects of hospital pharmacy practice including topics in accreditation and quality improvement programs. Risk management procedures to maximize patient safety and minimize practitioner liability will be investigated. Drug information services provided by hospitals will be investigated. Professional communication processes will be introduced and practiced.
PHRM-3011 - Institutional Dispensing II
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 repackaging and documentation of pharmaceuticals in the institutional pharmacy setting will be presented and applied.
PHRM-3012 - Sterile Procedures II
The student will be introduced to 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.
PHRM-3013 - Institutional Compounding
Through lectures and laboratory activities the student will be introduced to products required in institutional settings. Instruction will include introduction to the use of large-scale manufacturing equipment, including the preparation of large-volume compounds in the laboratory setting. Accuracy in calculation is stressed and the student will continue to practise skills acquired in the previous compounding course.
PHRM-3014 - Professional Issues
The student will discuss current issues and trends that influence the preparation of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, their practice, pharmacy organizations, and the pharmaceutical industry. Topics for discussion may include educational and credentialing trends, ethics and morals, and similar professional issues affecting Pharmacy Technicians and their role in pharmacy practice.
PHRM-3018 - Hospital Placement
In this pre-graduation hospital placement students will gain practical experience in the discipline through the integration of knowledge and enhancement of skills in a hospital pharmacy practice environment. Students will demonstrate the ability to accurately undertake and complete assigned duties within the scope of practice for pharmacy technicians in Ontario. Demonstration of professional and ethical behaviour in the provision of pharmaceutical services will be emphasized and evaluated throughout the experience.
PHRM-3020 - Self-Care Practices 2
In this second part of a two semester course, the student is introduced to gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal conditions including pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment. In addition, students will be introduced to medical devices, equipment and aids to daily living.