Injection and First Aid Training Requirements

Injection Training Requirements and Courses for Pharmacists

For the purposes of this information, where the term ‘pharmacist’ is used, it is inclusive of EA pharmacists and pharmacy interns, and subject to any terms, conditions, and limitations on their certificates of registration. Where this is not the case, it will be clearly identified.

To administer injections in Ontario, pharmacists must:

Successfully complete an OCP-approved course for pharmacist injection education
Maintain valid certification in CPR and First Aid equivalent to St. John Ambulance or Red Cross Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C
Register their training with the College

OCP-Approved Courses for Pharmacists

OCP-approved courses have obtained CCCEP competency-mapped accreditation, which addresses the 15 competencies for pharmacist injection education, as approved by the OCP Board.

Such training may also be completed as part of the curriculum of a CCAPP-accredited pharmacy education program. It is up to the registrant to determine that their program is appropriately accredited.

Out-of-Province Training

OCP recognizes injection authority obtained from another pharmacy regulatory body in Canada, since the injection training in other provinces and territories addresses the same 15 competencies for pharmacist injection education that were approved by the OCP Board. View a full listing of all Canadian CCCEP competency-mapped accredited courses.

Injection Training Requirements and Courses for Pharmacy Technicians

To administer the COVID-19 vaccine, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine or influenza vaccine by injection in Ontario, pharmacy technicians must:

Successfully complete an OCP-approved injection training course
Register their training with the College

Valid certification in CPR and First Aid is recommended but not mandated at this time as pharmacy technicians will only administer the vaccine under supervision and in a setting where other health care professionals are required to have this certification

OCP-Approved Courses for Pharmacy Technicians

OCP-approved courses have obtained CCCEP accreditation and address the 7 competencies for pharmacy technician injection education.

Register Injection Training with the College

Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians must register their injection training by logging into My Account:

Click on the “Training” menu option
Click on the “Injection Training” button
Click on the “Edit” button to acknowledge declaration of training and, for pharmacists, CPR/First Aid

Interns and Intern Technicians must register their injection training by logging into My Account:

Click on the “Personal” menu option
Click on the “Injection Training” button
Click on the “Edit” button to acknowledge declaration of training and, for interns, CPR/First Aid

Once injection training is registered, it appears on the registrant’s public register record in the Find a Pharmacy or Pharmacy Professional tool. This is a self-declaration and there is no requirement to submit documentation to the College, however registrants should retain supporting documentation in a readily retrievable manner, such as in their Learning Portfolio.

For assistance, please contact [email protected].

First Aid Training Requirements for Pharmacists

As a Standard of Practice

It is a requirement of the NAPRA Model Standards of Practice for Canadian Pharmacists for pharmacists who provide patient care to maintain valid certification in first aid and CPR, at a level equivalent to the St. John Ambulance or Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C.

As a self-regulated health professional, it is the responsibility of the individual pharmacist to determine the applicability of this standard to the nature of patient care being provided in the context of one’s specific working environment. Pharmacists should apply professional judgment to make this determination with the best interest, benefit, and safety of the patient considered first and foremost.

As a Requirement for Administering Injections

It is a requirement of the College for pharmacists to have valid certification in first aid and CPR, at a level equivalent to the St. John Ambulance or Red Cross Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C, prior to administering any substance by injection.

To register your injection training with the College, you must acknowledge completion of the required First Aid & CPR training. This is a self-declaration and there is no requirement to submit documentation to the College. Pharmacy professionals should retain supporting documentation in a readily retrievable manner.

When administering a publicly funded vaccine, pharmacy professionals should follow any additional First Aid and CPR requirements established by the Ministry of Health.

Approved Course Providers

The College does not specify or endorse a particular First Aid & CPR course provider. It is the responsibility of the pharmacist to ensure the course taken is equivalent to the St. John Ambulance or the Red Cross Standard First Aid & CPR/AED (Level C) by consulting with the course provider directly. The course provider also stipulates the expiration date and recertification parameters. The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario (WSIB) maintains a list of providers approved by the WSIB to deliver Standard First Aid.

First Aid Training for Pharmacy Technicians

First Aid and CPR certification for pharmacy technicians is recommended but not mandatory at this time by the College, as pharmacy technicians will only administer vaccines under supervision of a pharmacist or another healthcare professional who is required to have this certification.

First Aid and CPR training is also not a requirement of the NAPRA Models Standards of Practice for Canadian Pharmacy Technicians.

When administering a publicly funded vaccine, pharmacy professionals should follow any additional First Aid and CPR requirements established by the Ministry of Health.