Pharmacy Technician

Canadian Students

International Students

Program Details

Pharmacy Technician
Program Code: 2B9
Credential: Diploma
Duration: Two Years
School of Health Sciences
Area: Health Sciences
Domestic Applications: CLOSED
International Applications: CLOSED

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Program Overview

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Location/Delivery Modes & Dates

C
Prince Philip Drive - On Campus - September 2026

Dispensing the best of care.

Pharmacy technicians are essential in the collaborative approach to patient care. They play a key role in supporting safe and effective medication use across healthcare settings. The scope of practice of pharmacy technicians has expanded, leading to improved health outcomes for patients. 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 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, labelling based on specific patient needs, recording and managing drug inventory, injection training, and mixing 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 healthcare 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!

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Have the opportunity to write 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 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/month, while there are five (5) here in the province.

*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.

PROGRAM MISSION, VISION AND VALUES

Mission:
To empower pharmacy technicians through high-quality, practical, and patient-centered education that meets the needs of modern pharmacy practice in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Vision:
CNA pharmacy technician graduates increase both the safety and health of patients

Values:
Competence – We perform the skills required for pharmacy practice accurately and safely.
Professionalism – We demonstrate respect, reliability, responsibility, and ethics when caring for patients and working with colleagues.
Accountability – We promote the leadership role of our profession and hold ourselves to the standards of pharmacy practice.
Collaboration – We collaborate with pharmacy professionals and other health care professions to optimize patient care.
Empathy – We prioritize compassion in our interactions with colleagues, patients, and the community.

OBJECTIVES

Upon successful completion of this program graduates will be able to:

Interact professionally and ethically with patients to establish positive working relationships that promote health outcomes.
Collect patient information to establish accurate medication records used to inform clinical decision making.
Educate patients regarding medication information and the effective use of medication devices.
Increase accessibility of medications to patients through transfers between pharmacies and navigation of billing issues
Verify dispensed medications to ensure accuracy and safety for patients.
Maintain inventories of medications and address product shortages
Assess legality of prescriptions and compare to current patient therapies to reduce risk of medication errors.
Compound a wide range of non-sterile and sterile medications.
Administer parenteral therapies such as flu and Covid vaccinations.
Manage workflow within the pharmacy to ensure efficient medication dispensing.
Support pharmacist clinical services through collection of accurate patient information.
Collaborate with other healthcare professionals within a patient's circle of care.

CURRICULUM

This two-year program includes a combination of training at CNA, Health Authorities and community pharmacies across the province.

Provincial registration of Pharmacy Technicians is overseen by the College of Pharmacy of Newfoundland and Labrador (CPNL). Visit the CPNL website for more details.

Graduates of this program are eligible to write the national pharmacy technician license examination set by the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC). About PEBC - PEBC

CERTIFICATIONS

Students will complete the following during the program:

Standard/Intermediate First Aid
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (Level C )
Mask fit testing

Note: Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) legislation requires the use of an approved respirator when there is potential for exposure to airborne hazards. This program requires respirator use and you must be fit tested on the respirator approved for your program. A fit test ensures the respirator is suitable to you, sized appropriately, and provides a tight seal. It will also educate you on respirator use and care. Facial hair impacts the fit of respirators, therefore, students with facial hair will be required to be clean shaven at the time of fit testing and every time you wear a respirator. Your instructor will arrange fit testing. If you have a medical condition that could affect your ability to wear a respirator, you must be assessed by a health care provider before being fit tested. Your provider will need to confirm that it is safe for you to use a respirator. If you are unable to pass a fit test, alternative respirator options may be available; however, these options are more expensive, and students are responsible for any associated costs.

CLINICAL PLACEMENTS

Clinical placements are a required element of this program, and students will be assigned placements at approved training sites in hospital and community pharmacies. There is no guarantee that students will receive a placement at their preferred clinical site. All expenses associated with the completion of clinical placements will be the responsibility of the student.

Students require a clear Certificate of Conduct (Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check) to be permitted into a clinical placement. Students with an unclear Certificate of Conduct are advised to contact student.placements@cna.nl.ca prior to beginning the program.

ACCREDITATION

The Pharmacy Technician Program has been awarded Provisional Accreditation status by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs.

Graduates of the Pharmacy Technician program at CNA are eligible to write the national licensing exam administered by the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC), which is required to become a regulated pharmacy technician in Canada. For more information visit the PBEC website. https://pebc.ca/

Admission Requirements

At the time of application to the Pharmacy Technician program, applicants MUST be completing or have completed one of the following:

1. High School
High School Graduation Certificate with a 60% overall average in the following (or equivalent):
i. English 3201 (60% minimum)
ii. Mathematics chosen from:
Advanced: 2200, 3200 (50% minimum in each course)
Academic: 2201 (50% minimum), 3201 (60% minimum)
iii. Biology: 2201 and 3201 (minimum 60% in both courses)
iv. Chemistry: 3202 (minimum 60%)
Note: If BL3201 was taken before September 2020, only BL3201 is required. If BL3201 was taken after September 2020 both BL2201 and BL3201 are required.
2. College Transition (prior to 2024, students would have completed Comprehensive Arts and Science (CAS) Transition)
College Transition Certificate with the following courses:
i. English (minimum 60%): CM1060, CM1061
ii. Math (minimum 60%): MA1040, MA1041
iii. Biology (minimum 60% in both courses): BL1025, BL1026
iv. Chemistry: CH1035, CH1036 (minimum 60%)
3. Adult Basic Education (ABE)
Adult Basic Education (Level III) Graduation with Degree and Technical Profile (overall 60% average) including the following courses (or equivalent):
1 English (minimum of 60%) 3101A, 3101B, 3101C or 3102A, 3102B, 3102C
2 Mathematics (minimum of 60%) 1101A, 1101B, 1101C, 2101A, 2101B, 2101C, 3101A, 3101B, 3101C
3 Biology (minimum 60% average in all courses) 1101, 2101A, 2101B, 2101C, 3101A, 3101B, 3101C
4. Chemistry (minimum 60% average in all 3000 level courses) 1102, 2102A, 2102B, 2102C, 3102A, 3102B, 3102C
Applicants with Adult Basic Education (Level III) Graduation with a different Profile (and appropriate grades) may be eligible for admission to the program provided the appropriate selection of courses including those outlined above have been completed.
4. Mature Student Requirements
Applicants who do not meet the education prerequisites for this program, must be at least 19 years at the time of application and out of school for at least one year may be considered on an individual basis under the Mature Student Requirements; for more information regarding the Mature Student Requirements please refer to Procedure AC-102-PR Admission.

Note: Students meeting academic entrance requirements are accepted on a first qualified, first accepted basis. Before final acceptance is granted, additional documentation must be submitted.

Note: ESL Pharmacy Technician program students only – must meet English proficiency as outlined below:

Test	Substest	Pharmacy Technician
IELTS Academic	Reading	7.0
	Listening	7.0
	Speaking	7.0
	Writing	6.5

As part of Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) accreditation standards, you must meet the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) language proficiency requirements for pharmacy technicians. As evidence of language proficiency, candidates must provide:

Graduation from a high school in Canada with three consecutive, first language English courses/credits; or
An undergraduate degree from a university in Canada, whose instruction was provided in English; or
Language proficiency test results that meet the NAPRA Language Proficiency Requirements for Licensure as a Pharmacy Technician in Canada.

For more information related to test scores as evidence of language proficiency, visit the NAPRA Language Proficiency Requirements Policy. NAPRA-Language-Proficiency-Requirement-Policy-February-2024-EN.pdf

Additional Requirements Upon Acceptance

1. Complete a HS Student Information and Program Awareness Package, which includes:

Criminal Record Screening (RNC) or Criminal Record Check (RCMP)
Vulnerable Sector Check (RNC or RCMP)
NL Student Preplacement Immunizations and Communicable Diseases Screening Form

Notes:

Applicants with a criminal offense listed on their Criminal Record Check may be denied access to clinical placements and may be unable to complete their program. Acceptance of the Criminal Record is at the discretion of the clinical placement site.
The applicant is responsible for ensuring that all medical requirements are met, and health screening records are complete before submission. Certain immunizations require a series of tests or vaccines, requiring weeks or months to complete. Start the process as early as possible.
The applicant is responsible for all associated costs (vaccinations, laboratory testing, healthcare visits, certificate of conduct fees, etc.).

Courses

COURSES

CODE	TITLE	Hrs/wk
Semester 1		Cr	Le	La
RX2100	Prescription Interpretation	3	2	4
RX2140	Pharmacy Fundamentals	3	3	0
BL1340	Anatomy & Physiology	5	5	0
MA1022	Pharmacy Calculations I	3	3	0
RX2170	Pharmacology I	5	5	0

Semester 2		Cr	Le	La
RX2180	Pharmacology II	5	5	0
RX1220	Pharmacy Calculations II	5	5	0
RX1300	Compounding - Non-Sterile	3	2	4
RX1251	Prescription Processing	3	2	4
HG2051	Professional Practice & Ethics	3	3	0

Semester 3		Cr	Le	La
RX1110	Pharmacy Law and Professionalism	3	3	0
RX2115	Patient care	3	3	0
RX2145	Hospital Pharmacy Fundamentals	3	3	0

Semester 4		Cr	Le	La
CM1250	Communications in Healthcare	3	3	0
RX2215	Community Pharmacy	3	2	4
RX2270	Pharmacy Calculations III	3	3	0
RX2280	Hospital Pharmacy Practice	1	0	4
RX2190	Collaborative Practice in Pharmacy	3	2	3

Semester 5		Cr	Le	La
RX2250	Leadership and Management	3	3	0
RX2290	Professional Practice in Pharmacy	4	4	0
Note: RX2250 Leadership & Management and RX2290 Professional Practice in Pharmacy will be delivered in block format (first 8 weeks of semester) prior to RX2265 - Clinical I
RX2265	Clinical I	6	0	6 wks

Semester 6		Cr	Le	La
RX2315	Clinical II	6	0	6 wks

Canadian Students

The confirmation fee is due within two weeks of receipt of your Letter of Acceptance. It is required in order to hold your seat in the program.

Mandatory Fees

Application Fee - $30.00 (per program)

A non-refundable fee required for each application submitted to the College | Application Page

Application fees are only refundable if the program does not go ahead, and the applicant does not want to transfer the application to another program.

Note: The following fee is non-refundable and must be paid within two (2) weeks of receiving your Letter of Acceptance for each program at the College.

Confirmation Fee - $105.00 (per program annually)

A non-refundable annual fee due upon confirming acceptance into each program. This covers registration and student association services and must be paid each academic year.

Academic Audit Fee - $50.00 (once per program)

A one-time fee assessed for auditing academic records during your program.

Technology Fee - $83.00 (per semester)

A semester-based fee to support student access to software, internet, and digital services across all campuses.

Full-Time Student Fees

Certificate & Diploma Programs:

School	Regular Term (15 weeks)	Intersession (up to 7 weeks)
Health Sciences	$1,301.00 (per semester)	$625.00 (per semester)

Part-Time Student Fees

Certificate & Diploma Programs:

Program Type	Tuition Fee
Certificate & Diploma Programs	$320.00 (per course)

Regulations

All student fees must be paid by the date specified in each term. These dates can be found in the Academic Calendar .

Students receiving Student Aid must present their notification of award on the first day of classes. These students may defer payment until aid is received, at which time fees must be paid in full.
Students who do not pay fees within the prescribed time may have their registration cancelled.
Students with outstanding balances are:
- Ineligible for future term registration
- Unable to receive diplomas, transcripts, or grade reports
- Denied access to online grades until the balance is paid in full

It is the student's responsibility to clear all balances and contact their campus Student Services office with any account inquiries.

Additional Notes

If the College cancels a program, all tuition and fees will be fully refunded.
Out-of-sequence students registering or withdrawing mid-term will be charged on a pro-rated basis.
Students taking additional courses beyond a standard load must pay for each extra course.
Senior citizens (60+) receive a 50% discount on confirmation fees and tuition.
Students auditing a course must pay:
- 50% of tuition
- 100% of any applicable technology fees

International Students

A fee, which is applied toward program tuition and compulsory fees and includes a deposit fee, is due within two weeks of receipt of your Letter of Acceptance.

Mandatory Fees

Application Fee - $100.00 (per program)

A non-refundable fee required for each application submitted to the College | Application Page

Note: The following fees are non-refundable and must be paid within two (2) weeks of receiving your Letter of Acceptance for each program at the College.

Confirmation Fee - $105.00 (per program annually)

A non-refundable annual fee due upon confirming acceptance into each program. This covers registration and student association services and must be paid each academic year.

Deposit Fee - $1,500.00 (Included in First Semester Tuition)

A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit required to secure your seat. Included in first semester tuition.

Academic Audit Fee - $50.00 (once per program)

A one-time fee assessed for auditing academic records during your program.

Technology Fee - $83.00 (per semester)

A semester-based fee to support student access to software, internet, and digital services across all campuses.

Full-Time Student Fees

School	Regular Term (15 weeks)	Intersession (up to 7 weeks)
Health Sciences	$4,685.00 (per semester)	$2,344.00 (per semester)

Part-Time Student Fees

Certificate & Diploma Programs:

Program Type	Tuition Fee
Certificate & Diploma Programs	$1,046.00 (per course)

Estimated Program Costs

The document below provides a summary of estimated program costs for international students applying to the 2026–2027 academic year. Please note that all amounts are approximate and subject to change without notice. These costs apply only to international applicants.

Download Estimated Program Costs (PDF)

Making Payments

Application Fee

If applying online, the application fee must be paid via credit card during the submission of your application to College of the North Atlantic.

Tuition and Other Payments

College of the North Atlantic has partnered with PayMyTuition for all international tuition payments. All tuition payments, unless otherwise noted, can be paid via PayMyTuition.

Payments can be made from any bank, in any country, and in any currency.
Offers better than bank exchange rates.
Fast, secure, and cost-effective.

Please note that you can only use PayMyTuition once you have been assigned a CNA student number.

Regulations

All student fees must be paid by the date specified in each term. These dates can be found in the Academic Calendar .

Students receiving Student Aid must present their notification of award on the first day of classes. These students may defer payment until aid is received, at which time fees must be paid in full.
Students who do not pay fees within the prescribed time may have their registration cancelled.
Students with outstanding balances are:
- Ineligible for future term registration
- Unable to receive diplomas, transcripts, or grade reports
- Denied access to online grades until the balance is paid in full

It is the student's responsibility to clear all balances and contact their campus Student Services office with any account inquiries.

Additional Notes

If the College cancels a program, all tuition and fees will be fully refunded.
Out-of-sequence students registering or withdrawing mid-term will be charged on a pro-rated basis.
Students taking additional courses beyond a standard load must pay for each extra course.
Senior citizens (60+) receive a 50% discount on confirmation fees and tuition.
Students auditing a course must pay:
- 50% of tuition
- 100% of any applicable technology fees

College of the North Atlantic reserves the right to cancel or alter the delivery date and location of any program offering and delivery method, and will do so in a timely manner in order to minimize the impact on applicants.