Dispensing the best of care.
Pharmacy technicians are essential in the collaborative approach to patient care. Since the global pandemic, the scope of practice of pharmacy technicians has expanded, leading to improved health outcomes for patients.
[1] By communicating with patients, pharmacy technicians collect information that is used to direct clinical decision making.
With the goal of keeping the pharmacy a safe environment for staff and patients, these technicians prepare essential medicines for a range of patients, from those in critically ill in hospital intensive care units, to patients in the community pharmacy setting. There are also opportunities in pharmaceutical manufacturing, where their skills are in demand for the production of new and innovative medicines.
This two-year program has a strong focus on developing professionalism to benefit the student, pharmacy team members, and future patients. You will learn best practices regarding patient interactions such as communication and ethical responsibilities. Collection of accurate medication histories using multiple sources will be learned along with effective counselling techniques to best educate patients on how to use medication devices optimally.
Technical training within the program includes proficient use of pharmacy computer systems, compounding custom medicine forms, optimizing product distribution, labeling based on specific patient needs, recording and managing drug inventory, injection training and mixing of intravenous medicines for critically ill patients. Rigorous prescription assessment will also be practiced to ensure safe dispenses for patients and to prevent medication errors.
You will learn to collaborate with pharmacists and other health care team members to support and promote the patient’s health, well being and lifestyle, while applying effective business principles in the pharmacy practice setting.
Pharmacy technicians need to have calculation and technical preparation skills that are highly accurate and precise. In addition, strong interpersonal skills and competence are required to operate safely within a legal and ethical framework.
If you are looking to make a difference in the lives of patients and want to provide effective and genuine care in a collaborative team-based approach – join us today!
Highlights:
- Graduates will have the opportunity to sit for the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada for national certification
- Learn the skills required for current scope of practice such as counselling on use of medical devices and verification of medications before release to the patient to ensure accuracy and safety
- Develop proficient prescription assessment skills to prevent medication errors
- Engage with technological tools that assist in the provision of optimal pharmaceutical care and pharmacy services
Did You Know?
- Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) is a hotspot for this kind of job! The national average for an area this size is 331* employees, while there are 430 here.
- Earnings are high in Newfoundland and Labrador. The national median salary for Pharmacy technicians is $42,717, compared to $46,800 in the province.
- Job posting activity is high in Newfoundland and Labrador. The national average for an area this size is three (3*) job postings/mo, while there are five (5) here in NL.
- Top job titles include: pharmacy technician, lead pharmacy technician, registered pharmacy technician, pharmacy clerk and pharmacy technician instructors.
*National average values are derived by taking the national value for Pharmacy technicians and scaling it down to account for the difference in overall workforce size between the nation and Newfoundland and Labrador. In other words, the values represent the national average adjusted for region size.