Have you been considering a career in the pharmacy field but haven’t been able to make up your mind about which path to follow?
A lot of people find themselves in a similar situation, especially given that different career paths might seem really similar at first glance.
For example, the differences between pharmacy assistants and Pharmacy Technicians!
Understanding the distinctions between these roles may not be immediately clear to those unfamiliar with the industry or the educational requirements. To help clarify, we have prepared this article to highlight the key differences between these two professions. Our goal is to provide you with a clearer understanding of each role, as well as the educational and career paths associated with them.
What is the difference between Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians and Assistants?
Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians are both registered professionals with the Ontario College of Pharmacy. Pharmacists provide services and individual patient care in accredited community and hospital pharmacies. Currently some areas of their scope include patient assessment, prescribing and patient education to promote health.
Pharmacy Technicians work closely with the pharmacists to provide patient care, practicing controlled acts in patient education and device training, in addition to being accountable and responsible for the technical aspects of medication dispensing. With additional training can also administer specific injections.
There will be some overlap of responsibilities; however, the licensed professionals have a more specific role of patient care.
The assistant is providing assistance in the completion of medication dispensing and other administrative duties to keep the pharmacy team running smoothly. As assistants are not licensed, the pharmacist is responsible for their actions.
What Roles are Different between an Assistant and a Technician?
Everyone will have a role to make sure patients are taken care of. As an assistant some of the roles overlapping with Pharmacy Technicians include the input of a prescription and preparing the prescription by counting, pouring and labeling medications.
A Pharmacy Technician can do those responsibilities mentioned; however, they take on the added responsibility of completing the technical check before the prescription is to be given to the patient for new and refill medications. Technicians can also take verbal orders from prescribers(with exceptions) in addition to transferring medications (with exceptions) and training patients to use devices such as insulin pens, glucometers and so much more.
How to become a Pharmacy Technician
Anyone looking to become a pharmacy technician must first graduate from a CCAPP accredited pharmacy technician program. Be sure the program you select is accredited or you will not be able to continue with the registration process to licensure.
From there completion of a Jurisprudence exam, along with the Qualifying Exams offered by the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC), and a Practice Assessment of Competency at Entry (PACE) will complete the process to attain licensure.
Are you considering a career in the pharmacy industry? CTS Canadian Career College offers one of the only hybrid Pharmacy Technician programs in Ontario. Our program provides you with the training you need to succeed in the industry, along with preparing you to write your certification exams after graduation.
For more information, fill in the form on the right side of this page or send us an email to [email protected].