Loyalist College launches Pharmacy Technician and Acupuncture programs to strengthen allied health workforce

Belleville, ON, Jan. 28, 2025 – Loyalist College is strengthening its role as a leader in health care education with the launch of two new programs: Pharmacy Technician and Acupuncture. These programs join a suite of new health care-focused offerings at Loyalist, designed to train the next generation of allied health professionals who will contribute to improving patient outcomes and bolstering Ontario’s health care workforce.

“Ontario’s health care system is facing complex challenges, including labour shortages and shifting demographics, which demand innovative approaches and a greater emphasis on preventative and holistic health solutions,” explains Loyalist College President and CEO Mark Kirkpatrick. “At Loyalist, we are addressing regional needs by introducing programs like Pharmacy Technician and Acupuncture. Graduates of these programs will work alongside primary health care providers to close service gaps, expand access to health resources and support community well-being.”

Pharmacy Technician program:

Pharmacy technicians are essential members of the pharmacy team, working closely with pharmacists and other health care professionals to optimize patient health and deliver quality care. Loyalist College’s two-year Pharmacy Technician diploma program provides students with hands-on experience through active learning, simulated labs and field placements in community pharmacies, hospitals and long-term care facilities. The program aligns with competency requirements set by the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) and the Ontario College of Pharmacists, preparing graduates to write the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) exams to become regulated pharmacy technicians. Students gain expertise in pharmaceutical product preparation, prescription processing, inventory management and collaboration with pharmacists to provide exceptional care.

Acupuncture program:  

Loyalist’s three-year Acupuncture program is an advanced diploma offering comprehensive training rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles. Students will learn TCM methods of assessment, diagnosis and treatment, incorporating modalities such as bodywork, nutritional therapy and cupping alongside acupuncture therapies. With a curriculum integrating biosciences, evidence-based practice and interprofessional collaboration, the program will ensure graduates meet the rigorous professional competencies set out by the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO). Hands-on training begins in the first semester, allowing students to develop competence and confidence before entering clinical practice. 

“With pharmacists taking on an expanded role in Ontario’s health care services and alternative therapies like acupuncture in growing demand, graduates of these programs will enter dynamic, high-demand fields with an increasingly important role to play in supporting a diverse and robust health care system,” says Loyalist College Senior Vice President Academic and Chief Learning Officer Dr. Amanda Baskwill. “Through hands-on training and practical application in clinical and collaborative settings, our students will graduate ready to seize exciting career opportunities and make a difference in people’s lives.” 

Applications for both programs are now open. Apply today to start in Fall 2025.

About Loyalist College

Loyalist College is built upon the lands governed by the Dish with One Spoon wampum agreement. We affirm and thank the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabeg and Huron-Wendat nations for their continued caretaking of the land. At Loyalist, we empower our students with wraparound support services and hands-on training to succeed on any path they choose. Our academic programs are responsive and innovative, designed to solve pressing social and economic challenges and meet the evolving needs of our regional industry and community partners. Our graduates enter the workforce equipped with the knowledge they need to be better global citizens, and with future-focused skills to lead change in their fields. With a presence in Belleville, Bancroft, Port Hope, Tyendinaga and Toronto, we believe our institutional responsibility extends beyond the classroom to seeing the big picture for the communities we serve. Our expertise in applied research and deep connections to local industry support economic development, to the benefit of businesses, entrepreneurs, changemakers and innovators. Our commitment to decolonization, and the pursuit of a more inclusive, equitable world, means we hold ourselves accountable to the diverse perspectives, cultures and experiences that shape our communities.

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Contact: 
Hannah Brown
Director of Marketing and Communications 
hbrown@loyalistcollege.com