Pharmacy Technician

Sheridan College's Pharmacy Technician diploma is fully accredited by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP), holding Full Accreditation status from January 2022 to June 2027. This ensures that the curriculum aligns with national standards, including the entry-to-practice competencies set by the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA). The program focuses on essential skills such as processing prescriptions, compounding medications, managing inventory, and collaborating with pharmacists and healthcare teams.

With start dates in September and January, the program is delivered in-person at the state-of-the-art Davis Campus, featuring modern labs that simulate real pharmacy environments. Students benefit from a blend of traditional lectures, practical labs, online courses, and hybrid learning. Assessments include case studies, presentations, and reflective journals, fostering critical thinking and ethical practice. The mission of the program is to empower learners with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to demonstrate professional competencies, while the vision emphasizes graduating lifelong learners who prioritize integrity, quality, and safety in pharmacy practice.

Whether you're a high school graduate or a mature student, this pharmacy technician training in Ontario provides a solid foundation in areas like human anatomy, pharmacology, pharmacy math, and legislation. Graduates are eligible to register with the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP) and pursue national certification through the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) qualifying exam and OCP Jurisprudence Exam. This accreditation opens doors to Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility for international students, making it an attractive option for those looking to build a career in Canada.

Curriculum: Building Expertise Through Hands-On Learning

The Pharmacy Technician program at Sheridan College spans four semesters, totaling 21 credits in the first semester alone, with courses designed to progressively build your expertise. Key Semester 1 courses include Pharmaceutical Calculations 1, Foundations of Community Pharmacy Dispensing, Foundations of Non-Sterile Compounding, Professional Practice – Jurisprudence, Drugs and Diseases 1, Field Practicum Preparation, and Essential Communication Skills. Subsequent semesters delve deeper into sterile compounding, advanced pharmacology, medication therapy management, and technology in pharmacy.

Learning outcomes are clearly defined to ensure graduates can practice safely within legal and ethical frameworks, process and release prescriptions accurately, prepare pharmaceutical products, collaborate with healthcare providers, and promote patient well-being. You'll master tasks like interpreting orders, measuring and labeling medications, compounding sterile and non-sterile products, and using current technologies for inventory and distribution. The program incorporates ethical principles, quality assurance, and strategies for ongoing professional development, preparing you for the evolving pharmacy sector.

Hands-on training is a cornerstone of the curriculum, conducted in Sheridan's Centre for Health Communities—a cutting-edge facility that replicates real-world health settings. Labs feature industry-standard equipment, allowing you to practice dispensing, compounding, and inventory management in simulated community and hospital pharmacies. A virtual tour of the pharma-tech lab is available online, showcasing the interactive environment that bridges theory and practice.