PTA – Pharmacy Technical Assistance Program
Serve the Community. Build a Career.
The Pharmacy and Technical Assistance program prepares you for a rewarding role in the healthcare field, where you'll support pharmacists and assist in delivering quality care to patients. You’ll learn how to prepare prescriptions, manage inventory, handle customer service in a pharmacy setting, and maintain health records—all while gaining hands-on experience in both private and hospital pharmacies.
Pharmacy Technical Assistance (DVS 5894)”
Roles Trained
- Pharmacy Technical Assistant
Program Objectives
- Perform basic pharmacy-related operations (e.g., calculations)
- Master pharmaceutical terminology
- Prepare medications and perform certain diagnostic tests under the supervision of a pharmacist
- Communicate effectively in the workplace
- Use proper document filing systems
- Operate a computer and its peripherals
- Carry out routine pharmacy tasks, from ordering to distributing medications, under pharmacist supervision
Work Environment
- Hospital, clinic, and long-term care facility pharmacies
- Private pharmacies
Required Qualities & Skills
- Strong sense of responsibility
- Good judgment
- Initiative
- Organizational skills
- Manual dexterity
- Good physical health (standing work)
- Attention to detail
- Ability to concentrate in noisy environments
- Team spirit
- Good memory
- Knowledge of English is an asset
- Comfortable with new technologies
Core Responsibilities
- Support pharmacists with inventory, prescriptions, and patient records
- Greet customers and manage prescription intake
- Input and verify prescription data in pharmacy systems
- Prepare basic pharmaceutical products (e.g., creams, oral solutions)
- Handle insurance billing and assist with workflow coordination
Training Costs
- $425.00 (includes training and school materials, and a lab coat)
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for admission to this program, candidates must meet one of the following requirements:
- Persons holding a Secondary School Diploma or its recognized equivalent, for example, an Attestation of Equivalence of Secondary V studies, or a postsecondary diploma such as the Diploma of College Studies or a Bachelor's degree
- OR persons who are at least 16 years of age on September 30 of the school year in which their training is to begin and have earned the Secondary IV credits in language of instruction, second language and mathematics in the programs of study established by the Minister, or have been granted recognition for equivalent learning
- OR persons who are at least 18 years of age upon entry into the program and have the following functional prerequisites: the successful completion of the General Development Test (see the following table), or recognition of equivalent learning
- OR persons who have obtained Secondary III credits in language of instruction, second language and mathematics in programs established by the Minister are required to pursue general education courses, concurrently with their vocational training, in order to obtain the Secondary IV credits they lack in language of instruction, second language and mathematics in programs established by the Minister.
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