Pharmacy Technical Assistant

Description and Responsibilities

Pharmacy technical assistants apply established protocol to prepare and package medicine. Dispensing such things as sterile injectable preparations, parenteral nutrition and antineoplastic agents requires complex pharmaceutical calculations and specialized techniques.

Education and Training Requirements

The Assistance technique en pharmacie  vocational training program in French is offered in most regions of Québec. The Pharmacy Technical Assistance vocational training program in English is offered in some regions.

Required Interests, Skills and Personality Type

• Must be a good communicator and listener
• Must be methodical, responsible and organized
• Must enjoy completing repetitive tasks according to established standards
• Must enjoy physical work and handling (medical) instruments
• Must enjoy working in a team with colleagues and other professionals
• Must have an aptitude for using robotic devices and computerized systems

Personality Type (RIASEC)

RIC

• R - Prefers practical work and handling tools
• I - Prefers studying, understanding and solving problems
• C - Prefers to work in a methodical and structured way, according to established standards

Work Environment

Pharmacy technical assistants work in hospitals (in French only) and residential and long-term care centres (in French only). 

Useful Links

• Association québécoise des assistants techniques en pharmacie  (in French only)
• Medical technologists and technicians – Emplois d'avenir 
• Other Health Service Support Staff – Emploi-Québec 
• Video : En apprendre plus sur le milieu hospitalier –To learn more about the hospital work environment  (in French only)