“My experience at Edison College Canada has been very rewarding. The Community Support Worker program, especially the Mental Health and Addiction specialization, has helped me build confidence and real-world skills to support vulnerable individuals in my community. I feel more prepared for my future career.”
Program Description
This Pharmacy Assistant diploma program is designed to prepare students with all the skills and knowledge they will require to become a professional pharmacy assistant. This pharmacy assistant program trains students with hands-on training to prepare them for exciting career opportunities.
This pharmacy assistant course is available online, so those who cannot attend in-person classes can avail themselves of this opportunity.
Upon completing this pharmacy assistant training, students will be eligible to work under the following job titles: Pharmacy Assistant, Hospital Pharmacy Assistant, Clinic Pharmacy Assistant, Compounding Pharmacy Assistant, Pharmacy Distribution Clerk, and many more.
You can launch a new career in the fast-growing healthcare industry with our Pharmacy Assistant diploma.
Program Highlights
- ✔
Foundational Health Sciences: Study anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology to understand medication effects on humans. - ✔
Specialized Software Training: Gain hands-on proficiency using industry-standard Kroll software for accurate pharmaceutical documentation. - ✔
Precise Pharmaceutical Math: Master essential dosage calculations and clerical skills required for safe prescription processing. - ✔
Comprehensive Clinical Exposure: Prepare for diverse roles in both community retail and hospital pharmacy environments. - ✔
Professional Career Readiness: Complete capstone prep while learning sterile compounding and medicine packaging techniques.

Program Objectives
Pharmacy assistants play a key role in the healthcare industry. They work with pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to perform different duties. Some of the core duties of pharmacy assistants include manually packaging medicines and verifying the quantities of ointments, tablets, creams, and other medications.
Upon completion of this program, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Understand compounding principles, including safety regulations and the role of compounding in patient-centred pharmaceutical care.
- Demonstrate accurate weighing, measuring, and blending techniques for both sterile and non-sterile compound preparations.
- Utilize KROLL software effectively for pharmaceutical documentation and inventory control.
- Apply clerical and mathematical skills to support accurate prescription processing, dosage calculations, and record-keeping.
- Communicate professionally with patients and healthcare professionals, supporting pharmacy operations in both retail and institutional environments.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the pharmacy assistant diploma are prepared to work across a wide variety of pharmacy and healthcare settings, under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Career opportunities include:
- ✔
Pharmacy Assistant - ✔
Hospital Pharmacy Assistant - ✔
Clinic Pharmacy Assistant - ✔
Compounding Pharmacy Assistant - ✔
Pharmacy Distribution Clerk - ✔
Dispensary Assistant - ✔
Pharmacy Aide - ✔
Long-Term Care Pharmacy Assistant
Estimated Salary
The anticipated annual salary range of Pharmacy Assistants is from $33,280 to $54,080. The hourly wages of Pharmacy Assistants range from $16 to $26 per hour, according to the Canadian Job Bank.
These estimates from the Canadian Job Bank are mainly based on the experience of workers, the employer they work for, and the province they live in. Employers usually pay higher salaries to Pharmacy Assistants in Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Manitoba, and Ontario compared to other provinces and territories.

Career Outlook
Canada’s pharmacy sector is one of the most consistently in-demand corners of the healthcare industry—present in every city, town, and rural community across the country. As the population ages and prescription volumes continue to rise, the need for trained pharmacy assistants who can support pharmacists efficiently and accurately has never been stronger.
According to WorkBC, pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants (NOC 33103) in British Columbia can expect approximately 1,170 job openings between 2025 and 2035—a steady stream of opportunities across retail pharmacies, hospital settings, long-term care facilities, and community clinics throughout the province.
Edison College’s fully online delivery means eligible students across Canada — from British Columbia and Manitoba to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia — can complete this diploma and enter the workforce in their home community without relocating or leaving their current responsibilities behind.
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Admission Requirements
- High school graduate or equivalent OR mature student status (19 years or older before starting the program).
- Meet one of the following English language proficiencies.
Requirements:
- Minimum Grade 10 English plus a minimum of three years of full-time secondary education (Grades 8–12) completed in English in a country where English is one of the principal languages of instruction.
- Overall minimum IELTS (Academic) score of 5.5, overall minimum TOEFL score of 46 (only TOEFL iBT is accepted), overall minimum CAEL score of 40, overall minimum CELPIP score of listening 6, reading 5, and writing 5, and overall minimum Duolingo English Test (DET) score of 95.
The Accuplacer assessment may be accepted only under the following conditions:
- English is the program’s language of instruction, and
- The applicant is a mature domestic student facing a barrier, and the applicant cannot access their educational records or can not provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education.
- The applicant provides a signed self-declaration.
- Minimum overall Reading 230 and Writing 230, and WritePlacer: 4
- Canadian transcript showing completion of math (grade 10, 11, or 12), or
- Math Entrance Test/General Math with the passing score of 50%.
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Student Recommendations of Edison College
"Graduating from this program as a Mental Health and Addiction Community Support Worker has been a truly impactful experience. The education I received provided me with both the knowledge and practical skills needed to support individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges in a meaningful and compassionate way.
The instructors were supportive, knowledgeable, and brought real-world experience into the classroom, which made the learning feel relevant and applicable. I especially valued the focus on trauma-informed care, cultural awareness, and building genuine connections with clients.
This program helped me grow not only professionally but personally. I left feeling confident, prepared, and motivated to make a difference in my community. I’m grateful for the foundation it gave me and would recommend it to anyone looking to pursue a career in mental health and addiction support
"
"I had a great experience completing my Therapeutic Recreation Activity Assistant program at Edison College. The course was practical, easy to follow, and really helped me feel prepared to work in the field. I would definitely recommend it to others."
"My experience at Edison College Canada has been very rewarding. The Community Support Worker program, especially the Mental Health and Addiction specialization, has helped me build confidence and real-world skills to support vulnerable individuals in my community. I feel more prepared for my future career."
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