• English
  • Français
  • Career Exploration Kit
  • News / Blog
  • Contact
  • MyStudentLogin
  • MyOnlineClasses
  • Office365/Teams
Herzing College
  • Programs
  • Online Programs
  • Campus Services
    • Admissions
    • Career and Employment
    • Educational Funding
    • Employer Services
  • International Students
    • About International Studies
    • Programs
    • Why Choose Herzing
    • Study in Montreal
    • Study in Toronto
    • Study in Ottawa
    • Study in Winnipeg
    • F.A.Q
    • For International Student Parents
    • Language School Affiliations
  • Why Herzing
    • Why Choose Herzing
    • Stories of Success
    • Student Benefits
    • Herzing Open Education Program
    • Flex-Ed™
    • About Us
    • Accreditation
    • Careers at Herzing
    • 55 Year Anniversary
    • Student Referral Program
  • Locations
    • Montreal
    • Ottawa
    • Toronto
    • Toronto Skilled Trades
    • Winnipeg
    • Cambridge Skilled Trades
    • Edmonton
    • Kompass Professional Development
  • English
  • Français
  • News / Blog
  • Contact
  • Programs
  • Online Programs
  • Campus Services
    • Admissions
    • Career and Employment
    • Educational Funding
    • Employer Services
  • International Students
    • About International Studies
    • Programs
    • Why Choose Herzing
    • Study in Montreal
    • Study in Toronto
    • Study in Ottawa
    • Study in Winnipeg
    • F.A.Q
    • For International Student Parents
    • Language School Affiliations
  • Why Herzing
    • Why Choose Herzing
    • Stories of Success
    • Student Benefits
    • Herzing Open Education Program
    • Flex-Ed™
    • About Us
    • Accreditation
    • Careers at Herzing
    • 55 Year Anniversary
    • Student Referral Program
  • Locations
    • Montreal
    • Ottawa
    • Toronto
    • Toronto Skilled Trades
    • Winnipeg
    • Cambridge Skilled Trades
    • Edmonton
    • Kompass Professional Development
  • MyStudentLogin
  • MyOnlineClasses
  • Office365/Teams
Career Exploration
search
Herzing College › Programs ›

Program Overview

  • CAREERS
  • COURSES
  • INSTRUCTORS
  • OVERVIEW

Pharmacy Assistant Program

Ottawa’s shortest, most comprehensive Pharmacy Assistant program. Hands-on training in pharmacy procedures, industry software, and drug preparation. Start your career in just 10 months, internship included.

How Do You Become a Pharmacy Assistant in Ontario?

*Classes from this program are currently available online*

A pharmacy assistant works under the supervision of a pharmacist. They help process prescriptions, assist with compounding, and provide customer service.

Responsibilities and skills for pharmacy assistants include:

  • Answering phones
  • Explaining pharmacy products
  • Preparing prescriptions
  • Compounding creams, ointments, powders and solutions
  • Processing billing and insurance
  • Working the cash
  • Taking inventory
  • Ordering supplies
  • Packaging and labelling pharmacy products
  • Preparing IVs and nutritional solutions

To become a pharmacy assistant in Ontario you must complete a recognized Pharmacy Assistant program. Programs are typically under 12 months and include an internship.

Difference Between Pharmacy Assistant and Pharmacy Technician

In Ontario, pharmacy technicians are regulated by the Ontario College of Pharmacists. To work as a technician, you must complete an accredited program, register with the Ontario College of Pharmacists, and pass licensing exams.

Pharmacy technicians have a greater scope of practice and higher earning potential than pharmacy assistants. However, it takes longer and costs more to complete pharmacy technician training and licensing.

On the other hand, pharmacy assistants are NOT regulated in Ontario. Training is shorter and there are no provincial qualifying exams.

You simply complete a quality Pharmacy Assistant program and begin work in the field.

Learn more here: Pharmacy Assistant Versus Pharmacy Technician: What’s the Big Difference?

Herzing Ottawa Pharmacy Assistant Program

The Herzing Ottawa Pharmacy Assistant program fully prepares students for careers in community and hospital pharmacies. Our instructor has over 40 years of experience owning and managing pharmacies.

This training is fast, effective, and based on the practical skills you need to get hired.

  • 10-month Pharmacy Assistant diploma program
  • 4-week internship in a community pharmacy
  • In-depth training on pharmacy procedures and drug preparation
  • Get comfortable using pharmacy software
  • Expert instructor with decades of pharmacy management experience
  • Step-by-step help from our Career Development team to find your first pharmacy assistant job
  • Financial aid may be available to those who qualify
  • Multiple start-dates; enroll at any time

“Herzing offers the shortest, most comprehensive Pharmacy Assistant program in Ottawa. We do a lot of labs, quizzes, and assignments to ensure everyone is learning and progressing well.

Our students come from all over the world, which makes the learning environment even more interesting. Our classroom is very close to what you’ll experience in a real pharmacy.” (Instructor, Robert Orser)

Career Outlook

There is good demand for Pharmacy Assistants in Ottawa. The Government of Canada Job Bank predicts steady employment growth in this field, all across Ontario.

Graduates of our Pharmacy Assistant program will find career opportunities at:

  • Retail pharmacies
  • Hospitals
  • Long term care facilities
  • Specialized compounding pharmacies
  • Pharmaceutical manufacturers

Job Opportunities for Pharmacy Assistants in Ottawa

Successful graduates of Herzing Ottawa Pharmacy Assistant program will find job opportunities in the following roles:

  • Pharmacy Assistant
  • Pharmacy Aide
  • Pharmacy Supply Assistant

Who Hires Herzing Grads?

Our Pharmacy Assistant program graduates have been hired by:

  • Shoppers Drug Mart
  • Rexall Pharma Plus
  • Costco Pharmacy
  • Pharmasave
  • Parkway Pharmacy
  • Centric Health Care

Study Topics

Herzing Ottawa Pharmacy Assistant program teaches pharmacy procedures, customer service, compounding, aseptic techniques, and controlling inventory.

In this program you will learn:

  • How to use industry-standard pharmacy software
  • How to avoid medication errors
  • Different types of Over-the-Counter (OTC) and herbal pharmacy products
  • How to compound medications and blend ingredients for creams, ointments, powders, and solutions
  • Pharmacy procedures and your role as a pharmacy assistant
  • Pharmacology and drug classifications
  • Common diseases and treatments
  • Pharmaceutical mathematics and how to calculate dosages
  • Medical terminology
  • Aseptic technique
  • Human anatomy and physiology
  • How to deliver excellent customer service
  • Laws and ethics related to the pharmacy practice

Click to see a detailed description of Pharmacy Assistant courses

System and Computer Fundamentals

This course provides an introduction to the Microsoft® Windows operating system, Internet Explorer browser, and Outlook infor mation manager; word processing, and data processing applications. In addition, this course offers an introduction to applications and procedures specific to Herzing College.

Medication Errors

The distinct duties and responsibilities of pharmacists and pharmacy assistants are detailed. Topics include the different types of pharmacies; work environments; drug regulation and control, prescription error prevention, and legal and ethical issues. The specific role of the pharmacy assistant in the daily operation of the pharmacy is fully explained and demonstrated in the practical application of daily operations.

Students will develop critical thinking to identify causes, prevention, and reporting and risk management of medication errors. They will develop analytical skills to practice safe medication use and to prevent errors in the distribution, preparation, dispensing and administration of medications.

Pharmacy Practice

The distinct duties and responsibilities of pharmacists and pharmacy assistants are detailed. Topics include the different types of pharmacies; work environments; drug regulation and control, prescription error prevention, and legal and ethical issues. The specific role of the pharmacy assistant in the daily operation of the pharmacy is fully explained and demonstrated in the practical application of daily operations.

Pharmacology

This comprehensive pharmacology course guides students through the general concepts of pharmacology and defines drug classifications as related to their action on various body systems. The therapeutic classifications as defined in the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary are also explained. The course also discusses various common disease states and their effective treatment, relating the classification of drugs to this treatment. The student is exposed to both generic and brand names of most drugs.

OTC and Herbal Products

This course will provide knowledge to students about over the counter (OTC) and herbal products available for self -care. They will also learn their role in helping the patients and referring them to the pharmacist.

Drug Preparation and Dosage

This course focuses on the hands-on side of measuring techniques: weighing, reducing, calculating dosages, compounds, IV rates, and administrations; as well as preparing and measuring infusions and solutions; applying metric conversions; and using fractions, proportions, ratios, and percentages. Students blend ingredients for ointments, creams, powders, solutions, elixirs, suspensions, and capsules.

Pharmacy Software

This course provides instruction and hands on training with Nexxsys; Pro-Pharm’s computerized pharmaceutical dispensary system. Topics include: workbench organization and views; Rx Detail and batch processing; automatic scheduling of tasks; patient record customization; inventory monitoring; security; label generation and customization; supplier and doctor information; and purchase order customization.

Communication Skills

This course is designed to provide the student the opportunity to develop effective communication and listening skills in a pharmacy/healthcare environment. Topics will include verbal and nonverbal communication, active listening skills, barriers to communication, conflict resolution skills, and sensitivities in the communication process.

Law and Ethics

The student will be prepared to enter the health field with a basic understanding of pharmaceutical legislation and the ethical concerns that pharmacy employees are facing in the current health system.

Career Development

Career Development provides the student with the knowledge, skills, and development of the student’s job search path, including written skills for cover letters, résumés, and thank you letters. The course will also provide practical experience pertaining to interviewing process. Best practices and faux pas will be explained and outlined through mock interviews and peer evaluations.

Client Services

Client Services provides a critical examination of issues embedded in the practice of providing client service. Topics include research about best practice in customer service and communication techniques; psychologically based methods for dealing with the management of customer complaints; and the roles of a customer service employee and supervisor within ethical boundaries and common business practice in a pharmacy.

Pharmaceutical Mathematics

This course presents the principles of calculating medication dosages using the formula method D/H x Q=X. The math coverage i ncludes a review covering fraction and decimals, ratio and percent, simple equations, and ratio and proportion. Multiple problems are included to allow students to practice their skills and reinforce learning. The course also stresses the prevention of medication errors and details the implications of any error and how to prevent it.

Human Anatomy and Physiology

This course provides instruction in the organization and structure of the body components (anatomy) and their functions (physiology) based on each of the following human body systems: skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, lymphatic, immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary, nervous, integumentary, endocrine, and reproductive.

Medical Terminology

This course introduces the foundations of the language of medicine and develops medical vocabulary through the study of the structures, functions, diagnostic procedures, pathology, and treatment procedures of the body systems. Topics include medical terminology; the structure of the human body; and the skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, lymphatic, immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary, nervous, integumentary, endocrine, and reproductive systems.

Aseptic Techniques

This course provides an introduction to intravenous admixture preparation and other sterile products, including total parente ral nutrition, infusion pump cassettes, solutions for irrigation and chemotherapy. Topics include aseptic techniques; facilities, equipment, and supplies utilized in admixture preparation; incompatibility and stability; laminar flow hoods; irrigation solutions; and quality assurance. Upon completion, students should be able to describe and demonstrate the steps involved in preparing intermittent and continuous infusions, total parenteral nutrition, and chemotherapy.

Practicum (Retail)

The placement component of the program is the practical application of a student’s knowledge and skills in a retail pharmacy environment. The internship requires full-time day attendance working in the industry setting. The duration of the internship is four weeks during which the student must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 280 hours of work experience.

Jessica Letourneau
Instructor, Pharmacy Assistant

I was a part time instructor for Herzing from 2009-2014 in the Pharmacy Technician program.  I have just returned in September to teach in the Pharmacy Assistant program.  I’m happy to be “home” again.  I very much enjoy sharing my knowledge and experience as a Pharmacy Technician with up and coming Pharmacy Assistants.  As well as 7 years of teaching experience, I have 19 years of hospital experience as an RPhT as well as many years of retail pharmacy experience.  The students always appreciate my ‘real-life’ wealth of knowledge and work experiences. I’m proud to be in the ever changing and growing field of Pharmacy. I enjoy nurturing students and helping them to reach their full potential both as Herzing Students and as highly qualified employees once in the workplace.

Admission Requirements

What you need to get started.

  • Minimum of a Canadian high school grade 12 or equivalent, or a mature student
  • Pass an entrance test administered by Herzing College
  • Be interviewed in detail regarding interest in the field
  • Note: admission to some programs may include additional requirements
Get Started Today

Overview

SAMPLE SALARY RANGE:

$25,152 – $30,720

Source: jobbank.gc.ca
Technical assistant, pharmacy

CAMPUS

Ottawa

INDUSTRY

Healthcare

PROGRAM LENGTH

10 Months (20 hours/week)
Includes 4 week internship

LEARNING MODALITIES

On Campus

EXPLORE CAREERS

TRY OUR CAREER EXPLORATION KIT

Our online kit takes 3-minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for.

TRY IT

See Admission Requirements

2019 Overall Healthcare Student Employment Rate

94% of available Herzing College Ottawa healthcare graduates were employed in a related field.

2019 Overall Graduate Employment Rate

94% of available Herzing College Ottawa graduates were employed in a related field.

*statistics based on most recent available 

 

Download Program Brochure

Your Next Steps

Ready to learn more about the Pharmacy Assistant training program? It’s easy to get started. Choose from the following options:

  • Fill out the form to ask questions via email
  • Chat live with an Admissions Advisor to get your questions answered now
  • Click Apply Now to get your application started today!
Apply Now

Why Choose this Program?

Herzing Ottawa Pharmacy Assistant program is taught by experts and trusted by employers. Here’s why Herzing should be your first choice:

  • 10-month program that gets you job-ready fast
  • Hands-on training in pharmacy procedures and technology
  • 4-week internship for real pharmacy work experience
  • Learn from a highly experienced pharmacy owner and manager
  • Small class sizes where every student gets step-by-step support
  • Get access to the Herzing Open Education Program (HOEP), which lets you take additional healthcare courses after you graduate, tuition-free!
  • An amazing Career Development team, who helps create your resume, prepare for interviews, and apply for Pharmacy Assistant jobs
  • Friendly, welcoming campus with students of all ages and backgrounds
  • Our grads get hired! In 2019, Herzing College Ottawa had an 94% available graduate employment rate (based on most recent available data
Apply Now

Our Students

BRENDA H. WINNIPEG

Very friendly staff, provide all information and are very eager and willing to help you in the process. I would definitely recommend Herzing to anyone interested in returning to school to further their education.

PARASKEVI S. MONTREAL

Herzing College gave me the education I needed to get a great job in the aerospace industry. Classes were interesting, pertinent and fun! Not only does this school help you find an internship, they help you find the right job, and continue to maintain relationships with alumni in the future. Great experience at Herzing!

JENNA D. WINNIPEG

As a single mom going back to school was intimidating but at Herzing College I actually feel that I can reach my career goal!

More Stories

Why Herzing

For over 55 years, we’ve been helping people transition back to school and into fulfilling careers

A Career-focused education is an education that provides students with marketable skills that employers are seeking.

At Herzing College our students are our top priority, and every decision we make stems from that commitment.

From the moment prospective students visit one of our campuses to the moment they walk across the stage to receive their diplomas, we do everything we can to create a positive and nurturing environment.

TEST

Ready for the next step?

Request more information

Please fill out the form below and our admissions team will contact you with all the requested information and answer any other questions you may have.








Yes, I agree to receive messages about Herzing College. You may withdraw your consent to receive these messages at any time.

Explore Herzing Programs

Choose a campus and industry that you are interested in to explore available program options.

EXPLORE ALL PROGRAMS >

  • Business

  • Design

  • Education

  • Legal Studies

  • Healthcare

  • Technology

  • Media

  • Skilled Trades

EXPLORE ALL PROGRAMS >
Flex-Ed

Learn Online

Do you want a professional career, in a growing industry, but can’t find a program that fits your busy schedule. The online programs at Herzing College could be the right choice for you!

Our online programs offer:

  • Flexibility
  • Convenience
  • Dedicated Instructors

EXPLORE CAREERS

TRY OUR CAREER EXPLORATION KIT

Our online kit takes 3-minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for.

Coming from abroad?

Attend Herzing College as an International student

We understand that international students need support when they move to Canada. Herzing College is here to help, every step of the way.

See Our Qualifying Programs
  • Why Choose Herzing
  • Programs
  • Learn Online
  • Locations
Student Login | Online Student Login
  • Careers
  • Policies

Herzing College is not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in and way officially connected with Herzing University, or any of it’s subsidiaries or it’s affiliates.

Copyright © 2021 Herzing College




Book a Tour

X

Visit a Herzing College Campus!

Yes, I agree to receive messages about Herzing College. You may withdraw your consent to receive these messages at any time.

Ask a Question

X

Want to Learn More?

Yes, I agree to receive messages about Herzing College. You may withdraw your consent to receive these messages at any time.

Explore

X

Is Career Training right for you?

ACCESS OUR CAREER EXPLORATION KIT

  • Career Match
  • Career Funding Assessment
  • Career Discovery Assessment

Live Chat
Book a Tour
Request Info
Explore Careers