5.2 Program: Community Pharmacy Assistant
A career as a community pharmacy assistant takes attention to detail, a knack for problem solving, wide-ranging technical knowledge and solid interpersonal skills. You’ll work under the direction of a registered pharmacist or pharmacy technician to contribute to the success of a pharmacy. If you’re interested in a satisfying career that makes a difference, the Community Pharmacy Assistant program will get you on your way to career success (Fanshawe College, n.d.-a, para. 1).
Video: Community Pharmacy Assistant
Video: “Community Pharmacy Assistant” by Fanshawe College [1:00] Transcript Available.
About the Profession
Pharmacy assistants are responsible for technical concepts, creative problem-solving strategies, and require excellent interpersonal skills to support the expanding scope of both pharmacy technicians and pharmacists. Pharmacy assistants excel in prescription processing, third-party adjudication (dispensary reimbursements), managing inventory, compounding non-sterile products, working with various forms of pharmacy automation, and assisting customers with products sold in a community pharmacy (Fanshawe College, n.d.).
Professional Links
More information on the profession and associations can be found in the following links:
Ontario College of Pharmacists
National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities
Program Fit
What personal qualities should someone interested in this career have?
- Perform in an ethical manner in working with peers, faculty, health care staff, patients and customers
- Able to empathize with others
- The ability to remain calm and handle emergencies
- The ability to pay close attention to detail
- Able to make decisions quickly and request assistance/guidance from others as needed
- Able to multitask
- A willingness to keep up to date with new products and practices
- Cooperative/respectful to all members of the health care team
- Able to take charge in a situation and provide direction to others
- Able to work as a member of a team
- Active listening
- Provide feedback to people
- Enjoy working with and caring for people
- Prepared to work with people in vulnerable situations
- Able to communicate with people across the lifespan
- Strong time management/prioritization skills
Places you may find yourself employed include
- Community pharmacies (Shopper’s Drug Mart, Pharmasave, Rexall), long term care pharmacies, and specialty compounding/drug preparation pharmacies.
Typical working conditions for this kind of work:
- May be required to work shifts including evenings, weekends, and holidays
Tasks a graduate may do in the workplace:
- Assist a Pharmacist and/or Pharmacy Technician in the interpreting, packaging, dispensing and labelling of prescriptions.
- Perform data base entry, third party billing, inventory control, marketing plan implementation and cash handling processes
- Compound non-sterile preparations under the supervision of a Pharmacist
Helpful links for further research into this Fanshawe College program and career opportunity
Fanshawe’s library has prepared a subject guide for current students in this program. You may find the links and information provided very useful in learning more about this career.
Opportunities for further development or education:
Graduates may be qualified to apply for Fanshawe College graduate certificates.
Graduates may be qualified to apply for the Pharmacy Technician Program at Fanshawe College.
Pharmacy Technician graduates have opportunities to transfer credits to a university degree program.
Becoming a Community Pharmacy Assistant
The Community Pharmacy Assistant program at Fanshawe College is a 2 semester, 30 week program starting in September each year and considered to be a moderate workload with 80 percent theory and 20 percent practice.
Level One:
7 courses in the first semester
2 hours of study/assignments required for each hour in class
18 hours of class
It is expected that you will participate in out of class activities.
Level Two:
4 courses in the second semester
2 hours of study/assignments required for each hour in class
13 hours of class/week commitment
150 hours of community placement
The courses you would take at Fanshawe can be found on the Community Pharmacy Assistant page.
Opportunities for further development or education
- Graduates may be qualified to apply for Fanshawe College graduate certificates.
- Graduates may be qualified to apply for the Pharmacy Technician program at Fanshawe College.
- Pharmacy Technician graduates have opportunities to transfer credits to a university degree program.
Fanshawe Pathfinder: Community Pharmacy Assistant © Fanshawe College used with permission, All Rights Reserved
Admission Requirements:
Community Pharmacy Assistant Admission Requirements
Other programs can be found at Pathway to Pharmacy Technician
PHS Graduates:
Graduates of the PHS2 Pre Health Science Pathways to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees with a minimum GPA of 3.0 may apply for advanced standing to have the course Personal and Working Relationships waived. Refer to program coordinator at start of program for eligibility.
