This job requires both clerical skills, customer service, and certain pharmaceutical knowledge and technical skills. A pharmacy technician needs understand doctor’s prescription, calculate the dosages, preparation of compound drugs, communication between doctors, pharmacists, and patients often over phones, and explaining the medicinal products to the patients/customers. They basically mix and prepare ointments, creams. lotions, make pills/tablets or suspensions from powdered drug, and other medications under the supervision of pharmacists.
Difference between pharmacy technician and assistant:
Unlike assistants, pharmacy technicians have an authority of signing on new prescriptions and refills.
Pharmacy technicians need to be certified by respective provincial college of pharmacists (e.g., Alberta College of Pharmacists, Ontario College of Pharmacists, etc.) following exam. In contrast, pharmacy assistants do not need any certification, usually a certificate/diploma program is sufficient.
The length of the pharmacy assistant programs (~6 months) are shorter than pharmacy technician ones (~1 year).
Average Hourly
$28.70
Range Hourly
$16.15 – $37.38
Average Yearly
$55,965
Range Yearly
$31,486 – $72,891
Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health) (3219)
Pharmacy technical assistant
Pharmacy technician
Successful completion of a structured practical training program for pharmacy technicians, and
Successful completion of examinations approved by the council
Average hourly |
Range hourly |
Average yearly |
Range yearly |
$28.70 |
$16.15 - $37.38 |
$55,965 |
$31,486 - $72,891 |
Low
Employment outlook is good to fair in most provinces. More information are available here.
Depending on the size and nature of the organization, experienced pharmacy technicians may advance to supervisory positions.
350 hours or completion of a 2-month practicum
Programs for pharmacy technicians are available at Bow Valley College, Robertson College, or NorQuest College
Communication skills; ability to work independently; flexibility; interpersonal skills
Pharmacy Technicians find employment in hospitals, community, retail, medical clinics, and long-term care pharmacy practice settings
Most positions are part-time. Full-time opportunities are limited
Pharmacists are the employers/managers of pharmacy technician/assistants at large. Sometimes, a pharmacist may prefer pharmacy assistants over pharmacy technicians due to not being comfortable with pharmacy technician checking prescriptions.
To become competent for getting a job as a pharmacy technician usually following steps need to be followed:
Pre-register with the provincial college of pharmacists
Complete an approved pharmacy technician program from any college
Obtain a Structured Practical Training as your province suggest (e.g., Alberta, Ontario, etc.)
Clear the provincial Jurisprudence Exam (e.g., Alberta, Ontario, etc.)
Clear the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada qualifying exam (part 1 and 2) for pharmacy technicians
Apply for the certificate of registration as a pharmacy technician