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Given the current shortage of regulated pharmacy technicians (RPhTs) in North Bay hospitals and pharmacy settings nationwide, now is an opportune moment to pursue training and prepare to make a meaningful contribution to this vital healthcare profession.

CTS Canadian Career College is accredited by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs. Our North Bay campus has been awarded the status of Accreditation for a 5.5 year term (2023-2029), with skills labs available at 2 campus locations (Sudbury, Barrie).

CTS Canadian Career College’s 78-week Pharmacy Technician program takes an innovative approach at providing quality education to those seeking a career in the pharmacy environment. The college is the first to offer the program through a blended distance education learning model, meaning students can take their theory-based courses online from their own  community; there is no need to relocate to take the training on site!

Vision:
To be the recognized leader in pharmacy technician education as reflected in the quality of our graduates.

Mission Statement:
The Pharmacy Technician program strives to graduate pharmacy technician students who will:
• successfully obtain licensure,
• be the candidates of choice for employers, and
• be integral members of the pharmacy team committed to achieving optimal patient-centered care in collaboration with pharmacists and other health personnel.

Students acquire the knowledge, skills, and technical abilities to ensure both Provincial and National standards of accuracy and safety required for pursuance of registration. In adherence to the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) Standards of Practice, graduates will master the areas of patient and prescription information as well as drug distribution.

This 1,800-hour program is taken over the course of three semesters. Check out the following table to see how those hours break down in terms of instructional delivery.

Online Learning

Skills Camps

Semester Review (online)

Practicum

Semester 1

360

40

20

Semester 2

420

80

20

Semester 3

360

120

20

Practicum

360

TOTALS

1140

240

60

360

 

Theory-based portions are facilitated online. You will be given access to a state-of-the-art online learning environment, complete with activity based learning sequences and web-conferencing technology, to participate in instructor-led lectures and collaborative activities with your classmates. Various industry professionals, including pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and other health providers, will train you in pharmacology, microbiology, anatomy and physiology, compounding, community and hospital pharmacy practices, and working in sterile environments, among other key topics.

Your online training is complemented with a Skills Camp at the end of each semester. A week of Skills Camp training is provided with each semester (that is, you participate in a one-week skills camp after the first semester, a two-week camp after the second semester, and so on). These intensive Skills Camps are conducted at a CTS Canadian Career College campus in 40-hour weeks, this minimizes the time students need to spend away from home. Our campuses have simulated lab environments with workstations enabling students to perform skills and competencies in a safe manner. Skills Camps enable students to receive extensive, concentrated hands-on training in these simulated lab environments.

The final step of the program requires students to participate in 360 hours of practical placement, where they will get the essential first-hand experience working in retail and hospital pharmacy settings . CTS Canadian Career College will work with institutions in communities across all Canadian provinces to provide the most convenient placement options to its students.

This program was developed under counsel of the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP). As a graduate of this program, you will be eligible to complete the necessary steps to become a regulated pharmacy technician in Canada. These steps include completing Structured Practical Training (SPTs) or Practice Assessment of Competence at Entry (PACE), Provincial Jurisprudence exam , the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) qualifying exams, and obtaining personal professional liability insurance. Regulation is mandatory to work as a Pharmacy Technician in any pharmacy environments in Canada (excluding Quebec). 

Take your training from anywhere, and work anywhere upon having completed it! There is great freedom to be found in taking advantage of this educational opportunity! For more information, visit the OCP’s website and the PEBC’s website.

 

***ASK US ABOUT OUR 36 MONTH PAYMENT PLAN AND FINANCIAL AID OPTIONS***

Enrolment Criteria:

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent (e.g., GED), or mature student status (19 years or older)
  • English Grade 12 C or U, or equivalent (minimum grade required)
  • Mathematics Grade 11 C or U, Grade 12 C or U or equivalent (minimum grade required)
  • Senior Biology Grade 11 C or U or Grade 12 C or U or equivalent (minimum grade required)
  • Senior Chemistry Grade 11 C or U or Grade 12 C or U or equivalent (minimum grade required)
  • Successful completion of Program Interview;

For International Students:

Practicum Criteria: Physician’s Statement of Health form indicating up to date immunization, updated Vulnerable Sector Police Check, N-95 Mask Fit Testing

Special Aptitudes: Organized and detail oriented; excellent communication skills; interest in medicine; inquisitive and flexible; neat in appearance; empathy for patients; work well under stress.

Why study at CTS Canadian Career College?

  • Accelerated Programs: Complete your studies and begin your dream career sooner! Most of our programs can be completed in 12 months or less.
  • Study Online / Hybrid: Our program is offered through a blended distance education model.
  • Funding and Financial Aid: Complete your studies for less! Our Financial Aid Officers work with every student to help secure the maximum funding available.
  • Work Placement: Gain experience as you complete your studies! Placements put you in real world work settings, better preparing you for your future.
  • Recorded Sessions: Never miss a lecture or detail again! All our courses are recorded so that you can review them again to stay on top of your studies.

Pharmacy Technician Program (Blended Distance Education) – FAQ

What is the Pharmacy Technician (Blended Distance Education) program at CTS Canadian Career College?
Our Pharmacy Technician program combines online learning with in-person labs and clinical placements. It’s designed to help you gain the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to prepare for a career as a Registered Pharmacy Technician in Ontario.

Is this Pharmacy Technician program approved in Ontario?
Yes. CTS Canadian Career College’s Pharmacy Technician diploma program is accredited by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP), making graduates eligible to pursue registration with the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP).

What does “blended distance education” mean for this program?
Blended distance education means you’ll complete most of your coursework online, with scheduled in-person lab sessions at one of our campuses (Sudbury or Barrie). You’ll also participate in in-person placements in real pharmacy settings to meet practical training requirements.

Where are the in-person labs held for the Pharmacy Technician program?
In-person labs are delivered at the CTS Canadian Career College campus in Sudbury or Barrie, Ontario. These sessions focus on essential hands-on pharmacy skills like compounding, dispensing, and sterile product preparation.

How long does it take to complete the Pharmacy Technician program?
The program is typically completed in 78 weeks (approximately 18 months). This includes online coursework, lab sessions, and placements.

Will I get help preparing for the Pharmacy Technician certification exams?
Yes. Our program prepares you for the PEBC (Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada) Qualifying Examination and helps you meet Ontario College of Pharmacists registration requirements. Many graduates go on to become Registered Pharmacy Technicians (RPhT) in Ontario.

Is financial aid available for the Pharmacy Technician program?
Eligible students might qualify for OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program) and other financial aid options. Our Admissions team can help you explore your funding options.

How do I apply for the Pharmacy Technician program at CTS?
You can apply online through our website or contact our Admissions team directly for personalized support. We’ll guide you through the application process, funding options, and next available start dates.

Pharmacy Technician Courses:

Introduction to Academic and Professional Practice/Computers (40 hours)
English Communication (20 hours)
Anatomy & Physiology (80 hours)
Pharmacology (180 hours)
Pharmaceutical Calculations Part 1 (80 hours)
Orientation to Pharmacy Lab and Practice (10 hours)
Pharmacy Software and Billing (12 hours)
Scenarios I – Communications with Patients (18 hours)
Semester 1 Review (20 hours)
Microbiology / Phyto, Vitamins and Supplements (40 hours)
Pharmaceutical Calculations Part 2 (120 hours)
Compounding – Module 1 (100 hours)
Sterile Products 1 – Intro & Aseptic Techniques (80 hours)
Long Term Care 1 (60 hours)
Compounding – Module 2 (35 hours)
Long Term Care 2 (15 hours)
Sterile Products – Practical Labs (30 hours)
Semester 2 Review (20 hours)
Pharmacy Laws, Regulations, and Ethics (100 hours)
Continuing Education (20 hours)
Interprofessional Collaboration for Health Providers (Asynchronous requirement) 
Hospital Dispensing 1 (80 hours)
Community Dispensing 1 (100 hours)
Interpersonal Workplace Skills/Pharmacy Job Search (40 hours)
Hospital Dispensing 2 (40 hours)
Community Dispensing 2 (40 hours)
Stations Day (16 hours)
Job Skills Interview (Part of IPWS/Pharmacy Job Search) 
Scenarios II – Practicing Scope of Practice (16 hours)
Semester 3 Review (20 hours)
Practicum (360 hours)

Prior learning assessment & recognition (PLAR) is available upon request. Speak with your admissions counsellor for more information.

Program Faculty

RP

Gae Carroll , MEd (ODDE), HBPHE, RPhT
Director of Pharmacy Programs
Mallorie Reid, RPhT
Skills and Placement Coordinator
Shelby Rowell, RPhT
Pharmacy Technician Coordinator, Scheduling and Administration
Teena Theivendrarajah, RPhT
Instructor
Angie Bernard, RPhT
Pharmacy Technician Sudbury  Skills Lead
Lyne Laliberte, RPhT
Instructor
Sapna Pardall, RPhT
Instructor
Shelby Lovett, RPhT
Instructor
Jatan Patel, RPhT
Instructor
Melissa Tank, RPhT
Instructor
Sapna Pardall, Pharmacist
Instructor
Christine Kaye-Moore, RPhT
Instructor
Beverly Miller, RPhT
Instructor
Vicky Hill, RPhT
Instructor
Brittnee Robinson, RPhT
Instructor
Jessica Hall, RPhT
Instructor
Mariyam Ahmed, RPhT
Instructor
Shannon Piche , RPhT
Instructor
Laura Lesco, RPhT
Instructor
Tara Westman , RPhT
Instructor
Raffaela Zunti-Carminati, RPhT
Instructor
Andrea Waugh, RPhT
Instructor
Miranda McConnell, RPhT
Instructor
Alison Pedwell, RPhT
Instructor
Trupti Kulkarni, Pharmacist
Instructor
Harjeet Bola, RPhT
Instructor
Travis Spencer, RPhT
Instructor
Noor Salem, RPhT
Instructor
Mahalia Moreau-Vailloo, RPhT
Instructor
Shelley Ortepi, RPhT
Instructor
Bailey Hogben, RPhT
RPh Instructor

 

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