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Pharmacy Technician

A pharmacy technician wearing a white lab coat and a face mask uses a tablet while managing pharmacy inventory. Shelves filled with pharmaceutical products line the background.

Prepare for a rewarding career as a key member of the pharmacy team. Through classroom learning, labs and field placements, gain skills in medication preparation, inventory management and patient care. Graduate ready to support pharmacists in delivering quality health care.

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Home / Learn / Programs List / Pharmacy Technician
Credential
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
Four semesters
Start Date(s)
September (Fall)
Locations
Belleville
Open to
International Students
Domestic Students
CIP Code
51.0805

Find your career

Pharmacy technicians work alongside pharmacists and other health care professionals in various settings such as retail pharmacies, hospitals and long-term care facilities. Prepare for a rewarding, in-demand career focused on optimizing patient health and delivering quality health care services: 

  • Support pharmacists by gathering patient information, preparing and distributing medications and managing inventory. 
  • Process prescriptions accurately within your scope of practice, ensuring compliance with legislation, ethical standards and organizational policies. 
  • Enhance medication therapy management and product distribution using the latest technologies. 

Is it for you? 

A career as a pharmacy technician may be a good fit if you: 

  • Have strong attention to detail and excellent organizational skills. 
  • Enjoy working collaboratively as part of a team.  
  • Are adaptable and open to learning new technologies, health care regulations and pharmacy practices. 
  • Communicate effectively and excel at problem-solving.  

How you'll learn

Experiential learning

Through a unique combination of classroom learning, hands-on labs and field placements, you’ll gain the specialized skills needed to support community health care as a pharmacist technician:

  • Develop expertise in pharmaceutical products, drug distribution and pharmacy practices across various settings. Simulated labs provide a controlled environment for practising essential skills.
  • Gain an understanding of federal and provincial health care legislation and regulatory by-laws.
  • Learn the importance of diversity and inclusion in health care while developing strategies to break barriers and promote equality.
  • Gain proficiency with computer pharmacy software systems for managing patient records and inventory.
  • Apply your knowledge during two field placements, one in retail pharmacy and the other in a hospital or long-term care setting, working closely with registered pharmacy technicians and pharmacists.

Please note:

Courses

Please note that the program of study details for this program are currently under review. Please check back to this page for updates.

A pharmacy technician in a white lab coat scans a medication package at the counter of a modern pharmacy. Shelves stocked with pharmaceutical products are visible in the background, and a computer monitor is on the counter. A green circle graphic is included on the bottom left.

Admission Requirements

Required academic preparation 

OSSD/OSSGD with courses at the general, advanced, (C), (U) or (M) level or equivalent with the following required courses:

  • Grade 12 English level or equivalent with a grade of 65 percent or higher
  • Grade 12 Mathemetics with a grade of 65 percent or higher
  • Grade 11 or 12 Biology with a grade of 65 percent or higher
  • Grade 11 or 12 Chemistry with a grade of 65 percent or higher

OR

Additional requirements 

Prior to participating in field placements, students must meet the following requirements:

  • Standard First Aid and CPR HCP certification: Certification must be completed before placement.
  • Vulnerable Sector Check: Must be completed through the police services of residence (not a third-party provider).
  • Medical requirements: Includes up-to-date immunization records and laboratory blood tests.
  • Respiratory Mask Fit certificate: Required for placement readiness.
  • Co-op work permit (international students): Required for international students prior to placement.

Academic upgrading

Are you missing admission requirements? Discover how Career and College Prep at Loyalist can help you get started on your journey.

International students

Learn more about admission requirements for international applicants and how to apply. Please note that this program requires an IELTS score of 7.0 or equivalent (for non-native English speakers).

Costs

Approximate costs (2024 – 25)

  • Domestic Tuition: $2,722
  • Full-Time Ancillary Fees:* $1,367
  • Total: $4,089

Additional costs, such as supplies, travel and parking, may be incurred during workplace visits, etc.

 

*Fees related to programs that are less than or greater than two semesters will be adjusted accordingly. Fees are subject to change. Please visit the Tuition and fees page for a list of the many services, activities and items included within the ancillary fees, and the related policies.

Paying for college

At Loyalist College, we believe that cost should never be a barrier to your success. We’re here to help you navigate the costs of college and connect you with a variety of financial aid programs, resources and donor-supported awards. Explore paying for college.

Approximate costs (2024 – 25)

  • International Tuition: $15,000 
  • Full-Time Ancillary Fees:* $1,367 
  • Mandatory Health Insurance: $659 
  • Total: $17,026 

Additional costs, such as supplies, travel and parking, may be incurred during workplace visits, etc.   

*Fees related to programs that are less than or greater than two semesters will be adjusted accordingly. Fees are subject to change. Please visit the Tuition and fees page for a list of the many services, activities and items included within the ancillary fees, and the related policies.  

Paying for college

At Loyalist College, we believe that cost should never be a barrier to your success. We’re here to help you navigate the costs of college and connect you with a variety of financial aid programs, resources and donor-supported awards. Explore paying for college.   

Further study

Pathways and university transfer

What’s next? Build on the knowledge and skills you learned in the Pharmacy Technician program by continuing your academic journey. Return to Loyalist to complete a diploma or receive credit recognition for your Loyalist studies when pursuing a degree at a university. Explore pathway opportunities.

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