Pharmacist Assistant Course: A great opportunity to start your career

Dream of making a name for yourself in the healthcare field? Come and take a look at the wonderful world of pharmacist assistants! This is not just a job, but an adventure about health and care. Here, you will become an integral part of the patient's recovery journey, lighting up their lives with your expertise and warm care.

Ⅰ. Understand the role and work environment of pharmacists

In Canada, the pharmacist industry is not only a steadily growing field, but also an integral part of the healthcare system. According to the latest data from the Canadian Pharmacists Association (NAPRA), as of January 1, 2024, there are 50,069 registered pharmacists and 10,961 registered pharmacy technicians, as well as 12,162 licensed pharmacies in Canada. The working environment of pharmacists is mainly divided into patient environment and non-patient environment.

Patient environment:

Hospital: Provide services to inpatients and outpatients.
Community pharmacy: Directly serve the public, or handle business management and other duties as a pharmacy manager.
Long-term care and assisted living facilities: Work with the medical team to provide long-term care for residents.
Family medicine clinics: Work with doctors, nurses, etc. to provide disease prevention, treatment and health promotion services.
Canadian Armed Forces: Provide injury treatment, emergency medical treatment and intensive care treatment.

Non-patient environments:

Including universities, government departments, pharmaceutical companies, quality assurance, insurance companies and regulatory affairs, pharmacists participate in research and education in these environments.

Ⅱ. Daily work of pharmacists

The daily work of pharmacists is rich and varied, including but not limited to:

Review prescriptions to ensure safe use of medications.
Provide medication consultation and education to patients.
Monitor the effects and side effects of patients' medications.
Participate in medication management and drug inventory management.
Provide drug information and education to the medical team.
Participate in public health services such as vaccination.

Ⅲ. How can I become a professional pharmacist?

To become a professional pharmacist, choosing a pharmacist course is the most critical step. The Pharmacist Assistant Diploma Program offered by CDI College is an ideal starting point for entering this industry. The program not only covers key areas such as pharmacology, medical terminology, and pharmacy industry software, but also includes a four-week internship to provide students with practical experience.

Benefits:

Practical experience: Practical experience gained through internships enhances employment competitiveness.
Industry-recognized skills: Learn industry-leading skills and techniques.
Industry-experienced faculty: Taught by faculty with industry experience.
Student-centered learning environment: Provide personalized guidance and support.
Post-graduation career service support: Provide six months of post-graduation career service support.
First aid and CPR certification: The course includes first aid and CPR certification.

Employment opportunities:

After completing CDI College's Pharmacist Assistant Program, students will have a wide range of employment opportunities in the pharmacy industry. Pharmacy Assistant, Community/Retail Pharmacy, Health Food/Product Business, Internet Pharmacy Company, Relevant data shows that the average salary of a pharmacy assistant in BC is $25 per hour.
This includes Shoppers Drug Mart, one of Canada's largest drugstore chains, with more than 1,300 stores nationwide, providing students with a wealth of employment opportunities. Students can apply for the following positions:
Pharmacist Assistant: Assist pharmacists in processing prescriptions, managing drug inventory, communicating with customers and other daily tasks at various Shoppers Drug Mart branches.
Health Advisor: Students can also serve as health advisors in stores to help customers choose appropriate over-the-counter drugs and health products.
Pharmacy Management: For students who are interested in further development, they can become pharmacy supervisors or managers through internal promotions in the future to manage the operations of the entire pharmacy.

IV. How to find CDI College's Pharmacist Assistant Program

To find CDI College's Pharmacist Assistant Program, you can visit their official website and check out the courses offered by the campus in British Columbia. Through the website, you can learn about course details, admission requirements, and delivery methods. Contact the selected campus directly to learn about course availability and registration process.

V. Case Study: Emily's Path to Pharmacism

Emily has always been passionate about the healthcare industry. After learning about the growth and career advantages of the Canadian pharmacist industry, she decided to pursue this career. Through CDI College's Pharmacist Assistant program, Emily not only learned the necessary theoretical knowledge, but also gained valuable practical experience through internships. After graduation, she successfully found a job in a community pharmacy and began her pharmacist career. Emily's story proves that by choosing the right education and training, pharmacist assistant programs can open doors to the healthcare industry for students.

The Canadian pharmacist industry offers a wealth of career opportunities and personal development paths. Choosing a pharmacist program will not only enable you to gain professional knowledge and skills, but also play an important role in the healthcare field. If you are passionate about helping others and improving the quality of life of patients, pharmacists are undoubtedly a career option worth considering. Take action now and explore pharmacist programs to start your journey to a healthcare career.