About this program

  • Credential Awarded: 1 Year Certificate
  • Campus: Welland
  • Code: 0811 P0811
  • Delivery Length: 1 Year
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Overview

Are you detail oriented with a desire to provide excellent patient care and customer service?

As a Community Pharmacy Assistant, working alongside a registered pharmacist and/or pharmacy technician, you are an integral part of the healthcare team that provides community pharmaceutical services.

Highlights
  • Enhanced learning experience in a simulated community pharmacy.

  • Hands-on, applied learning gained through labs and field placement completed concurrently with academic studies.

  • Build knowledge of the latest pharmaceutical products, practices and drug distribution systems.

Career Opportunities
  • Community pharmacy
  • Long-term care specialty pharmacy
  • Pharmaceutical distribution wholesaler
  • Pharmacy application software vendor
  • Pharmacy benefits administration and consulting firm
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Courses

Term one (2025 Fall)
Code Course Name Credits
COMM1160 Communication in Healthcare I 3
MATH1113 Health Sciences Mathematics 2
PHAR1112 Pharmacology I for Community Pharmacy Assistant 3
PHAR1113 Pharmacy Business Practices for Community Pharmacy Assistant 3
PHAR1114 Community Pharmacy Assistant Lab 3
PHAR1115 Pharmacy Legislation for Community Pharmacy Assistant 2
PRAC1124 Field Placement Community Pharmacy Assistant I 3
Term two (2026 Winter)
Code Course Name Credits
PHAR1212 Pharmacology II for Community Pharmacy Assistant 3
PHAR1215 Applied Pharmacy Calculations for Community Pharmacy 2
PHAR1216 Non-Prescription Drugs and Products for Community Pharm 2
PHAR1217 Pharmaceutical Compounding for Community Pharmacy Assistant 4
PHAR1218 Long Term Care Pharmacy for Community Pharmacy Assistant 2
PHAR1219 Pharmacy Computers for the Community Pharmacy Assistant 3
PRAC1224 Field Placement Community Pharmacy Assistant II 5
Learning Outcomes Term: 1254
  1. Comply with all legislation governing pharmacy practice while adhering to established ethical standards and practices.

  2. Perform functional business skills such as cash handling and billing of third party plans, inventory control and purchasing using appropriate computer software applications.

  3. Solve problems relating to pharmaceutical calculations- dilutions, dosage calculations and conversions using common fractions, decimal fractions, rations, proportions and percentages.

  4. Assist a Pharmacist and/or Pharmacy Technician in the dispensing and labelling of prescriptions and preparation of pharmaceutical products within established policies, procedures legislation, and techniques.

  5. Communicate using good oral, written and interpersonal skills across all mediums, providing excellent customer service.

  6. Identify non-prescription products and medical devices that support health living.

  7. Perform all work with precision and accuracy.

  8. Collaborate effectively with members of the healthcare team to support optimal pharmacy practice and inter-professional relations.

  9. Implement marketing plans as directed by the Pharmacist and/or Pharmacy Technician.

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Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent including the following required course(s):
  • English – any Grade 12 (C) or (U), or equivalent
  • Mathematics – any Grade 11 (C), (U), or (M), or equivalent
Selection and Ranking

Applications are evaluated based on the published admission requirements. When the applicant provides proof of meeting the requirements, an offer of admission can be issued, provided space is available in the program.

Learn more about admission decisions.

Program Requirements
Criminal Record Check
  • A Criminal Record Check which is less than 6 months old is recommended at the beginning of Term 1.
  • Many employers have instituted a CRC as a requirement for appropriate field placement and for subsequent employment.

Transportation
  • Students are responsible for their own transportation in order to complete program requirements which may not be readily accessible by public transportation.
  • Program requirements could include co-ops, placements, volunteer requirements, practical labs, field projects, assignments, clinicals, or any other off-campus visits required as part of the program’s curriculum.
Student Dress Code
  • A student dress code is in effect for clinical courses.
Computer Requirements

Students are responsible for ensuring that they have a Microsoft Windows-based desktop or laptop that meets or exceeds the following general requirements:

  • A desktop or laptop running on an updated Microsoft Windows operating system (Windows 11 recommended).
  • Minimum 256GB SSD storage and 8 GB memory (note that 16 GB memory is strongly recommended).
  • An integrated or peripheral video camera, microphone, and speaker system.
  • Reliable internet connectivity with Broadband capabilities. A minimum download speed of 10 – 50 Mbps is recommended.

Niagara College may not be able to provide support for systems different than the above specifications as provided software may not operate properly. Academic software for your courses will be made available for download and remote use. Access will also be provided to remote high performance computer labs if software downloads are not feasible.

Note: We do not provide support for Chromebooks or Apple products. (learn more)

Computer/technology requirements may be subject to change without notice.

All costs associated with program requirements are the responsibility of the student.

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Availability

Domestic Applicants Apply
International Applicants Apply
Legendfor intake status table
Open

Accepting applications

Waitlisted

Eligible applications will be placed on a waiting list

Closed

Not accepting applications

Suspended

No longer offered this term

The College reserves the right to cancel or make changes to any course or program, fee, procedure, or campus location at any time.

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Tuition

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This program […] is part of an Inter-Professional Education system that is quite unique. Getting to hear first-hand from different professionals about what their jobs entail has been a real eye-opening experience. I have learned so much about how these very different occupations are interlinked, in that they must communicate effectively with each other for the betterment of the patient. Without their dedication to working as a team patient outcomes could be compromised.

Lynne Bell, program graduate
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