Pharmacy Assistant
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NACC’s Pharmacy Assistant Diploma Program presents an exciting career path for students in the pharmaceutical industry. Students gain essential knowledge of pharmaceutical services in Canada and the operations of community and institutional pharmacy operations. They develop skills for crucial mathematical calculations, compounding, pharmacy administration with different computer applications, including MS Office and Pharmacy software.
Pharmacy Assistants work in retail pharmacy stores, institutional pharmaceutical set up, or Hospital Pharmacies (both inpatient and outpatient settings).
Graduates of the NACC Pharmacy Assistant program have received training and practical experience in areas vital to pharmaceutical practice. Engaging in classroom instruction, discussion, observation, group work, skill demonstrations, assignments and evaluations, they cover the theory and skills needed in this field. Through hands-on practical opportunities and assessments, they develop their skills as Pharmacy Assistants and responsibilities as a part of a team. This program has been newly designed to support hybrid learning for colleges with a Learning Management System (LMS).
Program Standards:
- Compliance with Canadian Healthcare Legislation: Ensure that the curriculum is updated to reflect the latest healthcare legislation and pharmacy practice standards in Canada. This includes the Pharmacy and Drug Act, the Health Canada guidelines, and provincial healthcare regulations.
- Accreditation Requirements: Pharmacy Assistants are not regulated. However, the program meets the general standards set by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) for the pharmacy industry that relates to the Pharmacy Assistant practices. The program curriculum, faculty qualifications, and practicum placements meet national quality benchmarks.
Graduates will be able to:
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Understand the role and responsibilities of a Pharmacy Assistant within community, institutional, and hospital pharmacy settings.
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Apply foundational knowledge of Canadian pharmaceutical services, including legislation, pharmacy practice standards, and medication safety principles.
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Perform accurate pharmaceutical calculations used in dispensing, compounding, and inventory management.
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Support pharmacists and pharmacy technicians by selecting, counting, packaging, and labelling medications according to established procedures.
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Use pharmacy software and administrative tools confidently, including MS Office and drug distribution systems.
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Process and maintain patient records with accuracy, professionalism, and adherence to privacy requirements.
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Prepare and reconcile third-party insurance claims, supporting efficient billing and customer service.
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Assist with inventory control by managing stock levels, organizing supplies, and monitoring pharmaceutical products.
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Communicate clearly and respectfully with patients, customers, and healthcare professionals, providing service that aligns with pharmacy standards.
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Deliver prepared medications within institutional settings and understand workflow in inpatient and outpatient pharmacy environments.
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Apply infection prevention, sanitation, and workplace safety procedures in all pharmacy operations.
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Demonstrate professionalism, teamwork, and ethical conduct in fast-paced pharmacy environments.
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Integrate theory with hands-on practice through lab work, simulations, and job-shadowing experiences.
Graduates may find employment in a variety of settings, including:
- Retail Pharmacies
- Institutional Pharmaceutical Environments
- Hospital Pharmacies (in-patient and out-patient)
Graduates of the NACC Pharmacy Assistant program have had a minimum of 895 hours of theory and practice in a lab, refining and being assessed on skills needed to perform as Pharmacy Assistants. Graduates have also been placed in a job shadowing role in a pharmaceutical environment to gain an understanding of the role and responsibilities of a pharmacy assistant in a work environment.
Total Program Hours: 1,095 hours
NACC Final Theory Examination:
The NACC final examination is an on-line examination that evaluates the theory component of the training and determines whether the candidate has the required level of knowledge to do the job safely and effectively. The external setting for the exam and marking provide unbiased and consistent evaluation of adherence to the NACC PSW Program standard. To schedule your final exam, please speak with your college representative.
All students write the NACC final theory examination after completion of both placements.