In Ontario, Pharmacy Technicians are regulated healthcare professionals and play an integral role in our healthcare system. Pharmacies across Ontario and Canada have seen their workload and staffing increase since the start of the pandemic. Ontario pharmacists and pharmacy technicians have received changes to their roles and responsibilities in the pharmacy. Pharmacy technicians in Ontario are now able to administer the influenza vaccine.
Lambton College students experience learning that is innovative, engaging and simulates real pharmacy practice. Pharmacy Technicians are in high demand, not only in Ontario but throughout Canada. Our students are trained in our state-of-practice NOVA Chemicals Health & Research Centre which features three pharmacy labs.
The Community Pharmacy Lab includes a full simulated pharmacy that students practice in from Term 1 – Term 4. Being immersed in simulations allows our students to not only learn how to process and prepare prescriptions but also to develop their professional and interpersonal skills that will help them to be successful after graduation.
The Hospital Pharmacy Lab is equipped with an anteroom and sterile room that provides our students with the hands-on skills required for their success in hospital and specialized pharmacies. Students are focused on learning hospital workflow and are taught how to prepare sterile medications. These medications include IV bags and sterile eye drops.
The Specialized Compounding Lab provides students with the opportunity to transform raw pharmaceutical ingredients into specialized medications that are customized to individual patients. Our students learn to make creams, ointments, gels, medicated lozenges, and many more specialized products.
Blended learning is highlighted in our program and allows our students increased flexibility in their schedules. Faculty support diverse learning needs in our program by utilizing engaging lessons that include full simulations, role playing activities, and guest speakers.
Students will complete two unpaid field placements under the supervision of a pharmacist or pharmacy technician licensed in Ontario after the completion of all core courses: one in a community pharmacy and one in a hospital pharmacy setting. These experiential learning placements take place immediately after the completion of Term 4. Travel and additional costs are required.
Upon graduation students are eligible to write both national and provincial licensing exams.
- Mission
- To promote excellence in patient care through exemplary education.
- Vision
- Inspire pharmacy technician students to become leaders in patient-centered interprofessional care by providing them a dynamic educational experience.
The Pharmacy Technician Program of Lambton College has been awarded the status of Accreditation by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs for a 5.5 year term from January 2023 to June 2028.
See Course List
Admission Requirements
O.S.S.D. or equivalent with a minimum grade of 60% in the following:
- Grade 12 English C or U
- Grade 11 or 12 Mathematics C or U
- Grade 11 or 12 Biology C or U
- Grade 11 or 12 Chemistry C or U
Academic admission requirements can be obtained through Academic Upgrading and the Pre-Health Sciences program at Lambton College. All course requirements must be completed no later than the first day of classes of term one.
Admission into a CCAPP-accredited Pharmacy Technician program should be limited to candidates who provide documentation of one of the following as evidence of language proficiency:
- Language proficiency test results that meet the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) Language Proficiency Requirements for Licensure as a Pharmacy Technician in Canada; or
- Graduation from a high school in Canada with four consecutive, first language English or French courses/credits; or
- Graduation from a College d'enseignement general et professionnel (CEGEP) in Quebec with four consecutive first language English or French courses/credits; or
- An undergraduate degree from a university in Canada, whose instruction was provided in English or French.
This program has fluency proficiency requirements for students whose first language is not English or French.
Technology Requirements
In order to keep pace with the requirements of each and every course in your program, it is mandatory to own a reliable laptop to complete tests and assignments.
Course List
COM-1013: Critical Thinking and Writing
In this writing course, students respond to current issues and news articles via various styles of paragraphs and essays. Students strive for clarity of message and diplomatic expression of opinion based on fact. Students practice thinking critically and organize and hone their writing to ensure clarity and correctness in their messages. Critical Thinking and Writing lays the foundation for a subsequent research-writing course.
IPH-1001: Interprofessional Perspectives
As a new student to a health care profession this course introduces you to the workings of interprofessional teams. It allows learners to gain knowledge with and from students of various programs about several different health care professions. Concepts of teamwork, conflict resolution, the health care system and ethics will be presented through a unique interprofessional delivery model.
PHR-1023: Pharmacy Fundamentals and Legislature
This course introduces the student to all aspects of pharmacy practice, including components of jurisprudence pertaining to pharmacy, drug schedules, Canadian regulatory bodies associated with pharmacy practice, communication and customer service, marketing, and community pharmacy business practices.
PHR-1012: Applied Pharmaceutical Calculations I
This course introduces the Pharmacy Technician students to pharmaceutical calculations. Students will review basic mathematics including fractions, ratios, decimals, percents, proportions and imperial, metric and apothecary measurement. The basic mathematic principles will then be applied to solve pharmacy-related problems/calculations. The course emphasizes the importance of performing precise calculations when dealing with medications.
PHR-1042: Interpersonal Interaction in Pharmacy Practice
This course will explore the principles of communication, relationships and interpersonal interactions. Students will be introduced to a number of communication issues commonly experienced in pharmacy practice. This course will encourage the cultivation of self-awareness and the development of techniques to support team collaboration, resolve interpersonal conflict and impact career success in the pharmacy profession.
PHR-1036: Retail Dispensing Theory/Lab
This course introduces the student to the written prescription, Latin abbreviations, dosage forms, and the information on a prescription required by law. Generic and brand name recognition is stressed for the top prescribed medications. Students are required to perform various pharmacy computer tasks using community pharmacy software programs. This course introduces students to the roles and responsibilities of the pharmacy technician, pharmacy assistant and pharmacist in various community pharmacy practice settings.
PHR-1093: Anatomy and Physiology
This course is designed to provide pertinent information about the human body and how it functions. The study is concentrated on medical terminology, cells, tissues, organs, and systems and how the systems work together for human survival.
COM-2033: Communications for Health
This course, designed for students in the health field, further develops students' communication proficiency. Students create workplace documents and research reports and share their findings through oral presentations. Advocacy and peer education will drive the research and documentation process. Current health issues and research will serve as the impetus for creation of informed research reports and presentations.
PHR-2034: Retail Dispensing Lab and Inventory Practices
The student will continue to build on the skills of learned in Retail Dispensing Lab l. Students will improve on their efficiency, speed and accuracy in selecting and processing prescriptions. Drug interchangeability, interactions and third party plans, adjudication and reconciliation will be covered as well as the use of pharmacy resource materials and publications. Team dispensing concepts, multi-tasking and customer service strategies will be presented through case studies that involve patients, healthcare professionals and office personnel. Also in this course, the student will learn how to manage inventory of medications, equipment, supplies and devices for all areas of pharmacy. This course will teach students the theories and importance of inventory management and allow them to apply their knowledge in a lab setting. Students will focus on and practice purchasing, receiving, storage, rotating stock, monitoring expiry dates, return policies and the paper work associated with these activities.
PHR-2043: Pharmacology I
This course provides a foundation in the study of pharmacology. It will familiarize the Pharmacy Technician student with the study of prescription medications. Students will learn therapeutic and pharmacological classifications of drugs. The student will be introduced to the basic action on the body of a variety of drug classifications, new drugs for the health care market and drug usage.
PHR-2053: Non-Prescription and Home Health Products
The student will be introduced to the area of home health care products, medical devices, and other non-prescription medications and products sold in a community pharmacy and ancillary pharmacy outlets.
PHR-2064: Pharmacy Compounding Theory/Lab
Students will be introduced to Pharmacy Compounding within a combined theory/practical lab component. The students will prepare common pharmaceutical compounded preparations individually and in group exercises. Preparation techniques, calculations, weights and measures, in all relevant systems, of each pharmaceutical product will be covered with an emphasis on an accurate and organized process to achieve a pharmaceutically elegant product. Students will become familiar with legislation and the required documentation procedures surrounding compounded products. Proper and timely cleaning and maintenance of compounding equipment and environment will be stressed.
GED-XXX3: General Education Elective
PHR-3012: Applied Pharmaceutical Calculations II
In Applied Pharmaceutical Calculations II, the Pharmacy Technician students perform advanced pharmaceutical calculations when dealing with medications. This course prepares the students to do the necessary calculations used in pharmaceutical manufacturing of stock solutions, extemporaneous compounding and parenteral solutions, pediatric and chemotherapeutic admixtures.
PHR-3023: Computer and Institutional Dispensing
This course introduces the student to Hospital Pharmacy Software. Students practice receiving and accurately reading physicians' orders and patient records, prepare medications for the patient according to hospital policies and procedures. Students learn about automatic stop orders, therapeutic interchangeability, pass medications, checking/quality assurance, charge/credits and medication error/incident reporting. Students prepare and maintain crash carts. Students are introduced to emergency drug boxes, night cupboards and automated drug delivery systems.
PHR-3043: Pharmacology II
The Pharmacology II course builds on the knowledge gained in Pharmacology I. This course will emphasize in more detail the general properties of specific drugs, mechanism of action, pharmacologic effects, therapeutic uses, and adverse effects in both retail and institutional pharmacy.
PHR-3064: Sterile Techniques Theory/Lab I
This course is an introduction to the Principles of Asepsis and Aseptic Technique as a combined theory and practical lab. The student will learn basic skills required to safely prepare sterile products. This course introduces the student to concepts of various sterile products, incompatibilities and dosage calculations. Observance to aseptic technique procedures and quality assurance controls will be emphasized through demonstration and practice.
PHR-3073: Hospital Pharmacy Procedures
The student is introduced to the organization of hospitals, the functions and services of the hospital pharmacy, institutional communications, and operations systems that are a fundamental element of health care institutions in Ontario. Legislation that governs hospital pharmacy, the role of the hospital pharmacist, pharmacy technician, and other health care professionals will be discussed. The student will become familiar with hospital accreditation, policies and procedures, quality improvement programs, drug utilization reviews, and risk management procedures.
PHR-3083: Professional Issues
This course introduces students to a number of ethical and professional issues in pharmacy practice. Students will discuss current issues and trends that influence the practice of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, pharmacy organizations, and the pharmaceutical industry. Other topics include bioethics and ethics concerning health care, medication incident and adverse reaction reporting. This course challenges students to reflect on their own values and beliefs, and through discussion, to explore those held by others.
GED-XXX3: General Education Elective
PHR-3051: Examination of Prescriptions
This course integrates knowledge and skills that were developed through previous course including applying national and provincial legislation, performing calculations, demonstrating best practices in product distribution, and utilizing pharmacy resources efficiently. Students will demonstrate optimization of patient health outcomes through safe and effective drug distribution systems. A focus will be placed on the accurate dispensing of medications within the Pharmacy Technician's scope of practice. The practice of technical checking will be perfected.
PHR-4033: Institutional Dispensing II
This course introduces the students to nursing homes, retirement homes and long-term continuing care facilities with a focus on the role of the Pharmacy Technician within these organizations. Students will learn about drug distribution practices from hospital, community, and long-term care dispensing perspectives. Provincial formularies and government supply medication will be explored. Students will prepare medications in unit dose and multidose packaging systems utilizing the same technology as real-life practice settings. Zero tolerance for error will be emphasized during the independent double check of packaged products.
PHR-4063: Sterile Theory/Lab II
Sterile Technique Theory/Lab II builds upon the material that was taught in Sterile Technique Theory/Lab I. Students will learn advanced sterile techniques including how to prepare patient infusion pumps, patient-controlled analgesia, large volume parenterals, minibags, and total parenteral nutrition. Students learn quality assurance and health and safety protocols related to advanced sterile techniques. Both hazardous and non-hazardous spill clean up protocols are taught in this course.
PHR-4022: Journey to Practice
This course prepares the student to write the PEBC and OCP licensing exams. SPT and licensing requirements are highlighted to provide students with a smooth transition from college study to a licensed Pharmacy Technician in Ontario. Students will be introduced to pharmaceutical industry and the roles that a Registered Pharmacy Technician hold in various fields. Simulations will occur throughout this course to reflect real life practice settings and pharmacy team work. Application of knowledge from previous terms will be enhanced with development of soft skills that are required for successful practice after graduation. Students will demonstrate consolidation of knowledge gained throughout the Pharmacy Technician Program by completion of a comprehensive exam.
GED-XXX3: General Education Elective
PHR-3106: Community Field Placement
The Community Field Placement provides the student with the opportunity to apply and develop the practical skills that they have learned in the program. This placement experience is 200 hours completed over 5 weeks. The student will at all times work under the direct supervision of a Pharmacy Technician or Pharmacist licensed in Ontario. The focus will be placed on ensuring all of the NAPRA entry to practice competencies related to community practice are successfully demonstrated at the placement site.
PHR-4106: Institutional Field Placement
The Institutional Field Placement provides the student with the opportunity to apply and develop practical skills that they have learned in the program. This placement experience is 160 hours completed over 4 weeks. The students will at all times work under the direct supervision of a Pharmacy Technician or Pharmacist licensed in Ontario. The focus will be placed on ensuring all of the NAPRA entry to practice competencies related to institutional practice are successfully demonstrated at the placement site.
Program Maps
Current Students
Current students can view program maps from previous years on the mylambton website.
You will need to login with your C# and password in order to access your program map.
Employment Opportunities
Pharmacy Technicians are in high demand and are able to work in many different settings including community pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, long term care pharmacies, insurance companies, government agencies, regulatory bodies and advocacy associations.