Pharmacy Technician

In this course, students will be introduced to academic writing styles with a thematic focus on current issues. This course will help students to express themselves clearly and correctly in written form. Students will critically analyse assigned readings and express their thoughts. The course will also focus on the development of an academic paper utilizing the APA style of documentation.

In this course, a comprehensive exploration of community pharmacy practice, focusing on key areas such as federal and provincial regulations, safety, and effective inventory management strategies, are discussed. Students will learn the generic and trade names of frequently prescribed medications. Through collaborative work, students will sharpen their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities that are important for community pharmacy success. Students will learn error prevention, standards of practice and the role of the pharmacy technician in the community pharmacy setting.

In this course, students will learn arithmetic manipulations and their application to pharmacy calculations. Emphasis will be placed on calculating medication doses and quantities of medications required, pricing, inventory and related business calculations. Additionally, calculations required for non-sterile and sterile compounding will be covered.

In this course, exploration of dosage forms and dispensing theory, designed to support students in Dispensing Labs are taught. The course encompasses a range of skills, including interpreting prescriptions, deciphering Latin abbreviations, performing dosage and quantity calculations, and understanding drug nomenclature, prescription labeling, and auxiliary labeling. These concepts and skills will be comprehensively explained and applied through a combination of textbook resources and computer software tools. Students will gain knowledge about various dosage forms, their characteristics, and their application in patient care. Furthermore, they will develop proficiency in selecting the appropriate products for commonly encountered prescriptions in community pharmacy settings. Recognizing the importance of collaborative healthcare, this course will also introduce and allow practice in the essential elements of effective teamwork and leadership, vital for successful healthcare delivery.

In this course, a foundational introduction to the fundamental principles of prescription dispensing and their practical application in a laboratory setting are discussed. The curriculum is structured to guide students through a step-by-step process, encompassing various tasks such as interpreting prescriptions, deciphering Latin abbreviations, calculating quantities based on patient instructions, creating labels, determining pricing, and maintaining accurate patient profiles in compliance with legal requirements for record keeping. Students will gain exposure to effective client interaction within a simulated community pharmacy environment. Throughout the course, both manual and computerized processes will be employed to perform these tasks. Students will have the opportunity to work independently as well as collaboratively, engaging in tasks such as medication dispensing, quality assurance assessments of peers' work, and responsibilities related to inventory management.

In this course, an overview of dosage forms and dispensing theory to equip students with the necessary skills for dispensing medications are discussed. Topics covered include dosage forms, dosages, dose calculations, drug nomenclature, prescription labeling, and auxiliary labeling. Additionally, students will gain insights into the effects of drugs on the human body, with a focus on special considerations for different age groups. The course also delves into the fundamental principles of the Central Nervous System (CNS) physiology and the underlying mechanisms of CNS-related pathophysiological conditions. Furthermore, students will explore pharmacological classifications of CNS drugs and their application in treating various medical conditions.

This course will provide students with an introduction to the history of colonization of Indigenous communities in Canada. Contemporary Indigenous community issues within Northwestern Ontario (NWO) and Canada will be examined. Students will explore the unique socio-political relationships between Canada and Indigenous peoples with an emphasis on colonial, legal and political issues. With a broader understanding of the context of colonization, students will analyze contemporary relationships and efforts towards renewed relationships and reconciliation.

In this course, students delve into the ethical and professional challenges common in daily pharmacy work. Drawing from the Code of Ethics for Members of the Ontario College of Pharmacists, they learn to navigate ethical dilemmas through a structured case-based approach. Moreover, students reflect on their roles and competencies within the pharmacy team.

In this course, students perform pharmaceutical calculations essential for safe and professional practice. They engage with computations typically found in institutional environments and select community pharmacies. This encompasses calculations for sterile and non-sterile compounding, and parenteral dosing. Business and inventory calculations will also be covered.

In this course, students explore the Canadian and Ontario health care systems, focusing on hospital organization and the roles of pharmacy personnel, from technicians to the director of pharmacy. Discussions cover hospital drug distribution, pharmacy services like inventory control, and the practical aspects of compounding in institutional settings.

In this course, students will expand principles learned in Dispensing Lab 1, which includes to proficiently dispense prescriptions using computer software, entering and updating patient and physician details, and selecting correct drugs and dosages. They maintain patient profiles, handle billing, and print pertinent drug and billing sheets. Students understand therapeutic drug classifications and engage in role-play to demonstrate prescription management. Practical experience is gained in preparing various non-sterile medications, such as liquids, suspensions, and creams. They become adept at using laboratory equipment for compounding and emphasize accurate calculations, measurements, and record-keeping. Finally, students compound by adhering to master formula sheets and individual prescriptions.

In this course, students will be introduced to disease states, pathophysiology, and drug treatments, focusing on the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), Respiratory, Cardiovascular, and Immune systems. They explore how drugs interact with these systems and continually apply this knowledge in a Pharmacy Technician context.

In this course, students learn to implement hospital medication policies and procedures, dispense drugs in a hospital environment, interpret and fulfill hospital drug orders, and maintain essential records and documentation for effective institutional drug management. This includes manual and computerized order entry for unit doses. Independent double checks will be practiced.

This course is designed to provide students with an introductory understanding of addictions and addictive behaviour. The course will explore the various theories of addiction including historical and current conceptions of 'the addict', an understanding of how drugs work, different methods of treatment and the recovery process. Issues of drug use in special populations and family issues will also be examined.

In this course, students enhance their written communication skills tailored to today's technological and collaborative workplaces. Building on critical reading, thinking, and writing proficiencies, students use a scenario-based approach to understand diverse audiences, address real-world communication challenges, conduct research, and culminate with a capstone project.

In this course, students refine their skills in pharmaceutical calculations, building on prior arithmetic knowledge. They tackle measurement systems, dosage calculations, ingredient breakdowns for compounded products, and pharmacy accounting. The training prepares them for safe and professional practice as pharmacy technicians. Standard 15.1 of the the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) which requires pharmaceutical calculations to be "taught with a zero tolerance assessment" will be implemented in this course.

In this course, students learn aseptic techniques and the preparation of intravenous (IV) admixtures and other parenteral medications, reinforced by a review of pharmaceutical calculations. The focus is on mastering techniques, precision, accuracy, thorough record-keeping, and prioritizing protocol adherence and critical thinking.

In this course, students become proficient in prescription generation and dispensing using community pharmacy software. They explore pharmacy services like inventory control and practice dispensing for simulated care settings, such as long-term care. PACMED for dispensing in specialized settings will be introduced. A focus of this course includes selecting generic medication while following specific guidelines, enhancing compounding techniques, and understanding over-the-counter drugs, herbals, and alternative medications. Through case studies, students learn critical thinking, recognize the technician's role, and identify when pharmacist referrals are necessary. The course also delves into pharmaceutical devices and dosage forms, emphasizing the pharmacy technician's role.

In this course, students advance their understanding of disease states and their drug treatments, focusing on the Endocrine and Gastrointestinal Systems, as well as select inflammatory and dermatologic disorders. They consistently apply this knowledge in a Pharmacy Technician context.

In this course, students implement hospital medication policies, focusing on drug procurement, dispensing, and management. They maintain essential records using medication management software and practice fulfilling hospital drug orders. Additionally, they learn to prepackage drugs and utilize automated cabinets for dispensing and restocking.

In this capstone course, students sharpen their critical thinking using case studies emphasizing the pharmacy technician's collaborative role. They cultivate adaptability, conflict resolution, and effective communication in pharmacy settings, while also refining skills for the professional licensing exams.

In this course, students delve into microbiology fundamentals, understanding disease-causing organisms and their drug treatments. Bacterial, fungal, viral and other infection treatments will be covered. Cytotoxic medications will be discussed along with safe handling and dispensing of cytotoxic and hazardous treatments.

In this course, students undertake fieldwork placements, spending four weeks each in community and hospital pharmacy settings. They observe pharmacy technicians' roles, interact with healthcare professionals, and apply skills from the Pharmacy Technician program. The practicum emphasizes refining technical abilities and enhancing professional communication. No compensation is provided for this placement.