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Does my supervisor need to have registered their injection training with the College in order for me to administer injections?
Yes. Your supervisor must have completed an OCP-approved injection training course, ensured their First Aid and CPR certification is up to date, and registered their training with the College in order for you to administer an injection under their supervision. For further guidance on the role of your supervisor, see OCP’s Supervision of Pharmacy Personnel Policy.
Does my injection certification expire? When do I need to update my training?
The College’s Guideline – Administering a Substance by Injection does not mandate specific requirements for injection recertification or training updates. After registering your injection training, a self-declaration is made annually at registration renewal indicating that you have completed an OCP-approved training course and will maintain valid First Aid & CPR certification.
The Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics expect pharmacy professionals to recognize and work within the limits of their competence and to only practice when they have the appropriate knowledge and skill, as well as the physical, emotional and mental capacity, to do so safely.
Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are committed to continuous lifelong learning and professional improvement. It is your responsibility to self-assess your ability to administer injections prior to engaging in this practice. Should you wish to pursue additional training, there are continuing education opportunities available on the Continuing Education for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians page.
Do I need to declare that I’ve completed training in IV drug administration and vascular access devices?
No. Pharmacists should retain their own documentation as evidence that they have completed theoretical and practical training, as well as an assessment of their competency, prior to engaging in this area of practice. This information can be included in their Learning Portfolio and provided if requested (by a patient, employer, the College, etc.). This information will not appear on the public register, Find a Pharmacy or Pharmacy Professional and the Glossary of Terms has been updated to explain that “Trained to administer injections” means the pharmacy professional has declared completion of an OCP-approved injection training course to administer subcutaneous (SC) and intramuscular (IM) injections. SC injections are administered in the fat layer underneath the skin (for example, insulin). IM injections are delivered into the muscle (for example, a flu shot). The substances a pharmacist or pharmacy technician are permitted to administer by injection are listed in Schedule 1 and Schedule 3 (Vaccines) of Ontario Regulation 256/24.
How do I know if a drug requires a prescription and if I am allowed to administer it by injection?
Watch the module Understanding Drug Schedules and Injection Administration.
