Herzing Toronto Pharmacy Assistant Diploma Program
Herzing Toronto Pharmacy Assistant diploma program gets you job-ready in just 10 months. Learn compounding and prescription preparation, pharmacy software, inventory control, aseptic techniques, record keeping, and client services. Internship included.
How Do You Become a Pharmacy Assistant in Ontario?
*Classes for 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
- Blending ingredients for creams, ointments, capsules and solutions
- Processing billing and insurance
- Working the cash
- Taking inventory
- Ordering supplies
- Packaging and labeling pharmacy products
- Preparing IVs and nutritional solutions
To become a pharmacy assistant in Ontario you must complete a recognized Pharmacy Assistant diploma program. Training usually takes about 12 months (or less) and includes an internship at a community pharmacy.
Difference Between Pharmacy Assistant and Pharmacy Technician
In Ontario, pharmacy technicians are regulated by the Ontario College of Pharmacists. They must complete licensing exams and register with the College before starting work in the field.
Pharmacy assistants are NOT regulated in Ontario. Training is shorter and there are no provincial qualifying exams. You simply complete a quality Pharmacy Assistant diploma program and begin work in the field.
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.
Learn more here: Pharmacy Assistant Versus Pharmacy Technician: What’s the Big Difference?
Herzing Toronto Pharmacy Assistant Diploma Program
Herzing Toronto Pharmacy Assistant diploma program prepares you for employment at a retail or hospital pharmacy. Training is quick, hands-on, and based on the practical skills today’s employers are looking for.
- 10-month diploma program
- 4-week supervised internship in a community pharmacy
- In-depth training on pharmacy procedures, software, and drug preparation
- Expert Instructor with years of pharmacy 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
Due to COVID-19 the Pharmacy Assistant program is currently offered in a hybrid (on campus/online) format. Students will complete the theory portion online with live instructor-led lectures, and will be scheduled to complete labs in person at the campus as needed.
Career Outlook
There is good demand for Pharmacy Assistants in Toronto. The Government of Canada Job Bank reports a labour shortage in this field. There aren’t enough trained Pharmacy Assistants to fill available positions.
This is an excellent time to start your career, and take advantage of job opportunities in the GTA.
Career Opportunities for Pharmacy Assistants in Toronto
Successful graduates of Herzing’s Pharmacy Assistant program are qualified to pursue career opportunities at:
- Retail pharmacies
- Hospitals
- Long term care facilities
- Specialized compounding pharmacies
- Pharmaceutical manufacturers
Typical job titles in this field include:
- Pharmacy Assistant
- Pharmacy Aide
- Pharmacy Supply Assistant
Who Hires Herzing Grads?
Graduates of Herzing Pharmacy Assistant training have been hired by:
- Shoppers Drug Mart
- Rexall Pharma Plus
- Costco Pharmacy
- Pharmasave
- Parkway Pharmacy
- Centric Health Care
Study Topics
Areas of study for the Pharmacy Assistant program include 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 the role of the pharmacy assistant
- Pharmacology and drug classifications
- Common diseases and treatments
- Pharmaceutical mathematics and how to calculate dosages
- Medical terminology
- Aseptic techniques
- 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
This course provides an introduction to the Microsoft® Windows operating system, Internet Explorer browser, and Outlook information manager; word processing, and data processing applications. In addition, this course offers an introduction to applications and procedures specific to Herzing College.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mr. Ayo Adetoro has been part of the Herzing College Toronto Campus team for over 15 years. In addition to his contributions to the college’s Medical program, Mr. Adetoro has also offered his knowledge and support to other areas of study, more specifically in our Pharmacy Assistant program, Business Administration program, and Community Service Worker program. Presently holding valid memberships with the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP), Ontario Pharmacist’s Association (OPA), Canadian Payroll Association (CPA), and the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists (CSHP), Mr. Adetoro proves to be an asset not only to Herzing College, but to his chosen industry as a whole.
He is a practising pharmacist, a small business owner, and an Angel investor. Having trained over 250 Herzing graduates, and continuing to share his wealth of knowledge with the professionals of tomorrow, Mr. Adetoro’s dedication to education and the betterment of those who are fortunate enough to learn from him, continues to be the focus of his professional life.
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
Overview
SAMPLE SALARY RANGE:
$26,880 – $28,800
Source: jobbank.gc.ca
(Pharmacy Aide)
CAMPUS
Toronto
INDUSTRY
Healthcare
PROGRAM LENGTH
10 Months (20 hours/week)
Includes 4 week internship
LEARNING MODALITIES
On Campus / Online (Hybrid)
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.
2019 Overall Healthcare Student Employment Rate
88% of available Herzing College Toronto healthcare graduates were employed in a related field.
2019 Overall Graduate Employment Rate
84% of available Herzing College Toronto graduates were employed in a related field.
*statistics based on most recent available
Your Next Steps
Ready to learn more about the Pharmacy Assistant diploma program? It’s easy to get started. Choose from the following options:
- Fill out the form to ask questions via email
- Chat online with an Admissions Advisor to get your questions answered now
- Click Apply Now to get your application started today!
Why Choose this Program?
Herzing Toronto Pharmacy Assistant diploma program is taught by experts and trusted by employers. Here’s why Herzing should be your first choice:
- 10-month accelerated program that gets you job-ready fast
- Hands-on training in pharmacy procedures and technology
- 4-week internship for real pharmacy work experience
- 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 Toronto had an average 84% available graduate employment rate (based on most recent available data)