Healthcare
Pharmacy Technician
As a Pharmacy Technician, you will work under the direction of licensed pharmacists to carry out pharmacy-related tasks. Your role will enhance a patient’s health by ensuring patients receive accurate prescriptions.
About The Pharmacy Technician Program
Begin a journey towards a fulfilling career in pharmacy with Eastern College’s Pharmacy Technician program in Nova Scotia. Our curriculum not only equips you with vital technical and clerical skills—such as inventory management, record-keeping, and pharmacy equipment handling—but also immerses you in the dynamic world of pharmaceutical practice. Dive deep into practical experiences with comprehensive training in device demonstrations, mathematical precision, compounding, and prescription preparation for both hospital and community settings.
Experience a classroom environment that mirrors real-world pharmacy operations, enhancing your learning with a hands-on, 9-week field placement. This invaluable opportunity not only sharpens your skills but also broadens your professional network, setting the stage for a successful and rewarding career in the pharmacy profession.
Career Opportunities
The Pharmacy Technician diploma program will qualify graduates to pursue positions in hospitals and retail pharmacies.
Employers Who Have Hired Eastern Grads
- Costco Pharmacy
- Shoppers Drug Mart
- Pharmachoice
- Jean Coutu Pharmacy
- Walmart Pharmacy
- Medicine Shoppe
Salary
Employment Rate*
Average Wage/hr**
High Wage/hr**
*Employment Rate based on 2022 contactable Eastern graduates employed in a related field within 12 months.
Source: workingincanada.gc.ca
NOC Code: 3219 - **Wage data rounded down to the nearest dollar and based on Nova Scotia data. Average wage doesn't reflect the starting salary but represents the middle value between lowest to highest wages. Local (or regional) income may vary. Last updated in Jan 2024.
Program Details
Start your career in pharmacy with Eastern College’s Pharmacy Technician Training Program, where you’ll find a dynamic and supportive learning environment designed to set you up for success. Our program features flexible classes, making it easy to balance work and study. With small class sizes, you’ll receive personalized instruction and ample one-on-one time with our expert instructors. Our pharmacy lab is crafted to replicate a real community pharmacy, giving you hands-on experience that bridges the gap between theory and practice. You’ll benefit from our module-based curriculum, which allows you to focus on one subject at a time, ensuring clarity and deep understanding.
In addition, our dedicated program coordinator takes care of arranging your field placements, so you can dive straight into practical experience without the hassle of securing a site yourself. Complete your training in just 54 weeks, including placements—much faster than other programs. This efficiency is perfect for those who want to start their careers sooner. Our Pharmacy Technician Program in Nova Scotia is offered at our Halifax campus, providing you with hands-on learning opportunities.
Our graduates’ achievements truly showcase the excellence of our program. Over the past five years, three of our alumni have been honoured as Pharmacy Technicians of the Year by the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia. Additionally, two of our current instructors are proud alumni, highlighting the enduring impact and quality of our training.
Classes are held in-person at our Halifax campus. Students enrolled in this program will receive:
- Classrooms that simulate real-world pharmacy settings, including relevant equipment;
- First Aid with Heartstart;
- Accredited by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of pharmacy programs for a five year term – July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2027 (Halifax).
Course Listings: Nova Scotia
CPR and First Aid/WHMIS
Anatomy and Physiology for Pharmacy Technician
Community Pharmacy for Pharmacy Technician
Comprehensive Review for Pharmacy Technician
Career Planning & Preparation - Level I
Career Planning & Preparation - Level II
Preparation of Extemporaneous Mixtures for Pharmacy Technician
Field Placement II - Pharmacy Technician
Hospital Pharmacy for Pharmacy Technician I
Hospital Pharmacy for Pharmacy Technician II
Introduction to Pharmacy for Pharmacy Technician
Pharmaceutical Fundamentals
Pharmaceutical Calculations I
Pharmaceutical Calculations II
Pharmacology for Pharmacy Technician
Professional Skills for Pharmacy Technician
Student Success Strategies
Admission Requirements
- Grade 12 or equivalent, with academic level (grade 11 and/or 12) Math, English and/or French, Chemistry and Biology. For those without high school completion, please refer to the Program Overview at the top of this page or speak to your Education Consultant.
- A complete standardized health form and program of immunization will be required
- A Clear Conduct Certificate
- Language proficiency requirement as per the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA)
Accreditation
The Pharmacy Technician program of Eastern College has been awarded Accreditation Status by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2027.
At our Halifax campus, our courses are taught by licensed practitioner Karen Barberie, BSc. Pharm (Instructor/Program Coordinator, Halifax), Robyn Oickle RPhT and Jessica Bouchard RPhT.
Provincial Regulatory Bodies:nbpharmacists.ca nspharmacists.ca napra.ca pebc.ca capt.ca
OUR MISSION
To prepare graduates to meet the current and future needs of the health care system as pharmacy technicians
OUR VISION
By developing pharmacy technician students that have the skills, passion, and drive for patient centered care, who collaborate as a member of the health care team, and who continually grow and adapt, we will have the best, most sought after graduates in Atlantic Canada.
OUR VALUES:
Our values are to practice in all of our relationships the following: Integrity: We strive to be honest, trustworthy, and fair in all matters. Dedication: We hold ourselves accountable to always maintain and improve the quality of the education we provide. Readiness: We strive to be honest, trustworthy, and fair in all matters. Respect: We embrace diversity and show equitable treatment of others.
OUR GOAL
To prepare students for eventual employment as Pharmacy Technicians so they meet the national standards in: legal, ethical and professional responsibilities; professional collaboration and teamwork; drug distribution – prescription and patient information, product preparation, product release, system and inventory controls; communication and education; management knowledge and skills as determined by the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA). Meeting these standards is accomplished by delivering a curriculum based on the Canadian Pharmacy Technician Educators Association (CPTEA) learning outcomes. Eastern College is committed to supplying the pharmacy community with graduates who recognize the need for collaboration, safety, and accuracy in patient care.
Structured Practice Experience (SPE) Program
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Instructor Quote
Pharmacy technicians are health professionals that are in demand. Graduates can be assured they will find work they will love in a great variety of settings from hospitals to community pharmacies to specialty stores even in insurance companies or IT companies that service pharmacies - the sky is the limit. The role of the technician has expanded quickly and will continue to grow as pharmacists take on more roles. This is an exciting time to be part of a rapidly changing profession and help shape the future of pharmacy.
Karen Barberie
Pharmacy Technician Instructor
Frequently Asked Questions About Pharmacy Technician