Courses
Pharmacy Technician-2024/2025
| Level 1 | ||||
| Gen Ed - Take a 3 credit General Education elective course. | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| WRIT-1048 | Reason & Writing 1 for Health Sciences | 3 | ||
| This course will introduce health sciences students to essential principles of reading, writing, and reasoning at the postsecondary level. Students will identify, summarize, analyze, and evaluate multiple short readings and write persuasive response essays to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking. | ||||
| COMP-1549 | Computers in Pharmacy | 1 | ||
| In this introductory course, an overview on the use of computers and information technology in the pharmacy will be presented. The student will practice basic and advanced word processing skills for document creation, utilize graphics presentation software to create and organize effective presentations and create spreadsheets, charts and reports. Pharmacy software processes will be reinforced and expanded upon to include report functionality with respect to patient care, and reduce the potential for medication error. Students will be expected to communicate professionally with their peers, technologists and faculty that is in line with current pharmacy practice standards. | ||||
| MATH-1051 | Pharmaceutical Mathematics | 3 | ||
| The student will review basic fundamental math skills necessary in dosage calculations. Students will learn to convert within and between the systems of measurement in order to prepare prescriptions for administration. Dosage calculations for special populations and parenteral administration will be introduced. In addition, calculations required for compounded products will be introduced and practiced. Emphasis will be on increasing the students analytical skills to ensure accuracy in the calculation of medication orders. | ||||
| PHRM-1001 | Pharmacy Fundamentals | 3 | ||
| The student will be introduced to the practice of pharmacy including historical, ethical, professional and legal issues that influence pharmacy technicians and their practice. An overview of relevant federal and provincial legislation including regulation of drugs and controlled substances will be presented. The evolving role of the pharmacist and pharmacy technician as part of the intra and interprofessional health team will be explored. | ||||
| PHRM-1047 | Community Pharmacy Practice 1 | 4 | ||
| This course will connect core pharmacy concepts to their practical application, with a specific focus on the community pharmacy practice setting. The student will be introduced to pharmacy workflow and terminology, including Latin/medical abbreviations, dosage forms, routes of administration, and packaging systems such as medication adherence aids. Emphasis will be placed on drug interchangeability, non-proprietary names, brand names, and therapeutic classes of common pharmaceutical products. Ontario's provincial healthcare program, Ontario Drug Benefit, will be introduced, including various plans (Seniors Plan, OHIP+, Trillium, etc.) that fall under the provincial umbrella. With an emphasis on patient safety, the student will practice submitting medication incidents through the provincial error-reporting system, and discuss prescription forgeries, pharmacy robberies and Canada's burgeoning opioid crisis. Practice within the retail pharmacy simulation labs will include interpretation and processing of prescriptions using pharmacy software systems, interactions with simulated patients, professional communication in practice, utilization of pharmaceutical resources, and various simulated scenarios. | ||||
| PSYC-1044 | Personal & Working Relationship | 3 | ||
| This course is designed for students to understand the principles and dynamics of personal and working relationships. Emphasis will be on perception of self, attitude and interpersonal problems. The principles introduced from this course will be used in various teaching methods to give students the opportunity to reflect on the processes relevant to their normal personal and professional relationships. | ||||
| Level 2 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| PHRM-1050 | Pharmacy Management | 2 | ||
| The student will gain an appreciation for the roles of management in pharmacy practice. A number of management theories and tools will be introduced as well as concepts of organizational behavior. Students will have the opportunity to learn about human resources management practices; customer service; time management; marketing applications; merchandising concepts and inventory management. The impact of Federal and Provincial Legislation on inventory management processes will also be addressed. | ||||
| PHRM-1006 | Pharmacology 1 | 2 | ||
| In this first of a two-part course, the student will be introduced to the subject of pharmacology - the study of drug-altered function. The use of pharmaceuticals in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease will be stressed. The course will focus on the physiologic basis of drug action and antimicrobial drugs. | ||||
| ANAT-1049 | Anatomy for Pharmacy Technicia | 3 | ||
| Geared towards the scope of the pharmacy technician, this course will explore the fundamental principles of human anatomy and physiology in conjunction with various health conditions and associated disease states. The basic mechanisms underlying the pathophysiological states of selected human systems will be studied with emphasis on applications in pharmacology. Students will scaffold their knowledge alongside pharmacological classifications of drugs and non-pharmacological measures also explored in Pharmacology 1 and Self Care 1. | ||||
| PHRM-1036 | Self-Care Practices 1 | 2 | ||
| The student will be introduced to a variety of non-prescription self-care products and specialty services found in community pharmacy practice such as dermatologic, respiratory, ophthalmic, optic, fever, pain, musculoskeletal, foot, dental, contraceptive and feminine care products. Non-pharmacological measures for prevention and treatment will be explored. Application of legislation, policies, by-laws and standards in the sale of non-prescription products will be practiced. | ||||
| PHRM-1064 | Compounding 1 | 2 | ||
| The student will learn to compound non-sterile products, including calculation of ingredient quantity and the correct use of compounding equipment. Practice may include compounding of lotions, creams, ointments, and solutions. Appropriate use, timely cleaning and maintenance of compounding equipment will also be stressed. Emphasis will be on adhering to good manufacturing practices, preparing quality pharmaceutical products and achieving 100% accuracy in mathematical calculations. | ||||
| PHRM-1049 | Community Pharmacy Practice 2 | 4 | ||
| The student will continue to build theoretical knowledge and corresponding practical skills that reflect the expanded scope of the pharmacy technician. A focus on verbal order transcribing, device demonstration, Best Possible Medication History (BPMH) processes, and performing final technical verification of the prescription will be explored. Various specialized services in community pharmacy will also be investigated, such as medication adherence packaging, medication incident reporting, adjudication of professional services, and long-term care prescription processing. The student will gain efficiency, speed, and accuracy in selecting and processing pharmaceutical products by applying knowledge of drug interchangeability, dispensary reimbursements, and various pharmaceutical resources. A professional learning portfolio will be developed to support the student's ongoing commitment to continuing education in the pharmacy profession. | ||||
| MATH-3091 | Pharmaceutical Mathematics 2 | 3 | ||
| The student will build on skills learned in the MATH 1051 course. Students will obtain additional skills in converting within and between the systems of measurement in order to prepare prescriptions for administration. Dosage calculations for special populations and parenteral administration will be further explained. Calculations required for compounded products and emphasising increased analytical skills to ensure accuracy in the calculation of medication orders will be practiced by the students. | ||||
| Level 3 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| PHRM-1065 | Institutional Dispensing 1 | 2 | ||
| In this first part of a two semester course, the student will be introduced to the role of the pharmacy technician in the hospital practice setting. Typical medication delivery systems utilized in hospitals will be discussed including appropriate standards of practice. Information systems in the hospital setting will be explored including advantages and, disadvantages of electronic health records. The laboratory component will provide the student the opportunity to process physician orders typically seen in the hospital practice setting. | ||||
| PHRM-3023 | Pharmacology 2 | 2 | ||
| In this second of a two-part theory course the student will build on the knowledge gained in Pharmacology I by discussing additional drugs in a variety of drug classifications, their major side effects and/or contraindications, major therapeutic uses, and their generic and trade names. | ||||
| PHRM-3020 | Self-Care Practices 2 | 2 | ||
| In this second part of a two semester course, the student is introduced to gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal conditions including pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment. In addition, students will be introduced to medical devices, equipment and aids to daily living. | ||||
| PHRM-1066 | Sterile Procedures 1 | 2.5 | ||
| The student will compound sterile products according to legislation, guidelines and standards of practice. Students will be introduced to the concepts of sterility and incompatibilities as well as appropriate standards of practice related to the preparation of sterile products in the pharmacy. Students will perform appropriate quality assurance checks on completed products. Emphasis on performing and verifying accurate calculations for sterile product compounding stressed. | ||||
| FLDP-3036 | Community Placement | 5.2 | ||
| In this field placement experience, the Pharmacy Technician student will demonstrate competencies related to communication, pharmacy office procedures and inventory management, pharmacy regulations and documentation, prescription processing and checking, demonstration of devices and education, and non-sterile compounding in the community pharmacy environment. The field placement experience is designed to integrate learning from classroom, laboratory and simulated environments into hands-on practice in a community-based pharmacy practice site. In addition, it will provide the student with the opportunity to interact professionally and effectively with members of the inter- and intra-professional healthcare team to prepare for transition to work as a leader in pharmacy practice. | ||||
| HLTH-1101 | Research Principles: Intro | 3 | ||
| This is an introductory course into the process and principles of research. Topics will include the purpose of research in health care, the research process, research paradigms, systematic review, reporting research, knowledge translation, and ethics in research. The student will learn about the components and theories of research, how the theories have changed over time, and through scientific methods, how research can impact their life and practice. This course will also discuss the importance of health care administration; relating to financial concerns of health care, such as public funding, health insurance and managing hospital practice in accordance with a budget. Topics such as assuring compliance with national and provincial regulations and delivery of high quality patient care will also be discussed. Delivery will include large and small group discussion; article critiquing, literature reviews and presentations of scientific articles. | ||||
| Level 4 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| COMM-3054 | Comm'n for Pharmaceutical Professionals | 3 | ||
| This course enables students to become effective communicators in the pharmaceutical field by helping them to improve both written and oral communication skills. Students create documents related to the pharmaceutical field, including general business documents, summaries, reports, employment communication packages, and a learning portfolio that adheres to the specifications of the Ontario College of Pharmacists. The first seven weeks of this course consist of live instruction, while the final seven weeks of the course are completed online (while students are on placement). | ||||
| PHRM-3011 | Institutional Dispensing 2 | 2 | ||
| In this second part of a two-semester course, students will be introduced to areas of special control including narcotic and controlled drug processing; night cupboard maintenance; emergency products processing; and investigational drug dispensing procedures. Purchasing and inventory control activities that can be assumed by a pharmacy technician in the institutional environment will also be studied. In addition, good manufacturing practices in the packaging and documentation of pharmaceuticals in the institutional pharmacy setting will be presented and applied. | ||||
| PHRM-3012 | Sterile Procedures 2 | 2.5 | ||
| The student will continue to practise proper aseptic technique in the preparation of sterile products. Laws, regulations, standards and guidelines governing manufacture of sterile preparations including biohazard drug products will be studied. The student will gain proficiency in calculations pertaining to sterile product preparation and administration. Accuracy in sterile compounding procedures and relevant documentation will be emphasized. | ||||
| PHRM-3030 | Compounding 2 | 2 | ||
| Through lectures and laboratory activities the student will be introduced to products required in institutional settings. Instruction will include introduction to the use of large-scale manufacturing equipment, including the preparation of large-volume compounds in the laboratory setting. Accuracy in calculation is stressed and the student will continue to practise skills acquired in the previous compounding course. | ||||
| PHRM-3014 | Professional Issues | 2 | ||
| The student will discuss current issues and trends that influence the preparation of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, pharmacy practice, continuing professional development, pharmacy organizations, and the pharmaceutical industry. Topics for discussion will include the pharmacy technician as a regulated health professional; educational and credentialing trends; ethics and morals; safe medication practices; privacy/confidentiality and the expanding scope of practice for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. | ||||
| FLDP-5014 | Hospital Placement | 4.4 | ||
| In this pre-graduation hospital placement students will gain practical experience in the discipline through the integration of knowledge and enhancement of skills in a hospital pharmacy practice environment. Students will demonstrate the ability to accurately undertake and complete assigned duties within the scope of practice for pharmacy technicians in Ontario. Demonstration of professional and ethical behaviour in the provision of pharmaceutical services will be emphasized and evaluated throughout the experience. | ||||
| Gen Ed - Electives | ||||
| Take 3 General Education Credits - Normally taken in Level 1 | ||||
| Program Residency | ||||
| Students Must Complete a Minimum of 18 credits in this program at Fanshawe College to meet the Program Residency requirement and graduate from this program | ||||