Pharmacy Officer

Overview

As a member of the military, Pharmacy Officers provide pharmaceutical care to Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members. They offer expert advice on drug therapy for emergency medicine, intensive care therapy, pain management, infectious diseases, and medical countermeasures for nuclear, biological and chemical warfare. Pharmacy Officers also identify and resolve complex drug-related problems.

The role of a Pharmacy Officer is constantly changing and is no longer confined to the distribution of medications. As integral members of the Canadian Forces Health Services team, Pharmacy Officers consult with patients, physicians, and other health care professionals. They teach and guide pharmacy students and interns, serve on advisory and professional committees, and maintain clinical competence through structured and self-directed learning initiatives.

Pharmacy Officers also manage and control medical supplies and equipment. Within the CAF, Pharmacy Officers are the experts in medical materiel procurement and medical supply chain management. They leverage their training and experience to ensure entitled personnel have access to medical supplies wherever they are stationed – be it a base in Canada, or on operations overseas. Pharmacy Officers perform contracting functions for the procurement of medical supplies and work collaboratively with non‑medical CAF members to transport cold chain medications around the world.

Work environment

Pharmacy Officers typically provide pharmacy services at health clinics in Canada, although they also work in a medical depot or in support of military missions in a field medical unit. Pharmacy officers face challenging clinical situations and will also serve as leaders, administrators, and material managers.

If you chose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore, you can likely expect to move at some point in your career. However, if you decide to join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full‑time employment.

Entry plans

• Direct Entry Options
• Paid Education Options

If you already have a Bachelor of Science (Pharmacy) or a Pharm D degree from a recognized Canadian university, have passed the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada’s qualifying exam, hold a current license to practice client‑based pharmacy in a Canadian province or territory, and are in the possession of a letter of 'Good Standing' from your professional regulatory authority, the CAF may place you directly into the required on‑job training program following basic training. Because this on‑job training leads directly to an intensive 6 month clinical residency, it is also necessary that all candidates (except for very recent graduates) possess—or seek out—clinical experience in a tertiary care facility as delineated in the entry standard prior to applying to the CAF. Basic training and military officer qualification training (of which this clinical residency are part) are both required before being assigned.

Regular Officer Training Plan (ROTP)

Due to the requirement for CAF officer to obtain a university degree, the CAF will pay successful recruits to complete a bachelor degree program at a civilian Canadian University. Recruits will receive full‑time salary including medical and dental care, as well as vacation time with full pay in exchange for working in the CAF for a period of time. Candidates must attend a civilian Canadian University as the Royal Canadian Military College System does not offer a degree that matches this occupation. If you are applying for this program, you must apply to the CAF and a Canadian universities concurrently as the CAF does not have reserved seats.

Training

After enrolment, Pharmacy Officers attend Basic Military Officer Qualification training at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. Pharmacy Officers take the Condensed Health Services Basic Military Officer Qualification Training which consists of two weeks of Distance Learning and four weeks of in‑house training in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Topics covered include general military knowledge, the principles of leadership, regulations and customs of the CAF, basic weapons handling, and first aid. Opportunities will also be provided to apply such newly acquired military skills in training exercises involving force protection, field training, navigation and leadership. A rigorous physical fitness program is also a vital part of basic training. Basic officer training is provided in English or French and successful completion is a prerequisite for further training.

Following basic officer training, official second language training may be offered to you. Training could take from two to nine months to complete depending on your ability in your second language.

Pharmacy Officers must complete the Common Health Services Officer (CHSO) course which is an eight‑day e‑learning course available on the Defence Learning Network (DLN). The CHSO course introduces Pharmacy Officers to Canadian Armed Forces policies and procedures as well as HR management of military members and civilian personnel.

Pharmacy Officers attend the Canadian Forces Health Services Training Centre in Borden, Ontario, for the Basic Pharmacy Officer Course which includes instruction on military medical doctrine in a field environment, general health care administration, military pharmacy practice, and medical supply management. This training provides the background and opportunity to participate in the clinical, technical, logistic, and administrative aspects of pharmacy practice in the CAF.

On-the-job training

Pharmacy Officers may have the opportunity to complete a six month preceptor program at an accredited civilian hospital, similar to the Hospital Residency program.

Pharmacy Officers may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and on‑the‑job training, such as:

• Professional Certificate in Pharmacoepidemiology & Pharmacovigilance - London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
• Certificate in Travel Health from the International Society of Travel Medicine
• Basic Aviation Medicine training
• Leadership training
• Management training

As they progress in their career, Pharmacy Officers who demonstrate the required ability and potential may have the opportunity to pursue post‑graduate training at an accredited Canadian university.

Part time options

The role of the Canadian Forces Health Services Reserves is to provide trained personnel to support, augment and sustain Canadian Forces Health Services organizations for CAF operations and training activities, while building and maintaining links between the CAF and the local community.

As a health care professional in the Health Services Reserves, you must have an unrestricted license to practice in your clinical field (including certification in your specific specialty) and have the ability to maintain clinical currency within your civilian workplace.

This position is available for part‑time employment through the Reserves. Reservists generally work part‑time for a Reserve health services unit in their community. They are not posted or required to do a military move. However, they can volunteer to move to another base. They may also volunteer for deployment on a military mission within or outside Canada.

Reserve Force members are trained to the same level as their Regular Force counterparts. Applicants with an undergraduate degree in Pharmacy or a Pharmacy D (entry‑level), who have successfully completed the Pharmaceutical Examination Board of Canada qualifying examination Parts I and II, hold a current unrestricted license to practice as a pharmacist and have a letter of 'good standing' from their professional regulatory authority may be placed directly into the required military training program following basic officer training.

Reserve Pharmacy Officers may serve part‑time at a Health Services Clinic and may also serve in full‑time positions at some units for fixed terms. They are paid 92.8% of Regular Force rates of pay and receive a reasonable benefits package.

Related Careers

• Physiotherapy Officer
• Dental Officer
• Medical Officer