Graduates work in hospitals, community pharmacies and related pharmaceutical fields, under a Pharmacist's supervision.

Duties include:

• preparing medication for dispensing
• compounding pharmaceuticals
• preparing aseptic products
• inventory control
• purchasing
• merchandising
• record keeping as required under such acts as the Food and Drug Act
• narcotics control
• third party billing
• drug distribution
• pre-packing pharmaceuticals
• computer processing
• clerical and other duties as necessary

The Pharmacy Technician program of Red Deer College has been awarded the status of Full Accreditation by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs for a five year term 2013-2017. Pharmacy Technicians in Alberta are regulated under the Health Professions Act and must register after program completion with the Alberta College of Pharmacists (ACP). Details regarding registering as a Pharmacy Technician in Alberta can be found by accessing the Alberta College of Pharmacists webpage. Graduates of this program should be aware that there are additional costs associated with registering as a Pharmacy Technician in Alberta such as ACP registration fees and PEBC Qualifying Examination Fee and students should prepare for these costs upon graduation.

Technicians have worked in the pharmacy field for many years, but only on-the-job training was available. In 1976, RDC began a training program to more fully prepare technicians for their tasks.

Our graduates have been very well received by pharmacists and employers, and the responsibilities given to them have greatly expanded. This program should be of interest if you would like an officially recognized training period, followed by interesting and varied job opportunities in the pharmacy field.

Pharmacy Technician courses taken at RDC are not transferable for credit toward a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy at the University of Alberta.

1. High School Diploma with no mark below 60% in:

1. Biology 30
2. Chemistry 30 or Science 30
3. ELA 30-1 or ELA 30-2
4. Mathematics 30-1 or Mathematics 30-2
5. Computer literacy (including intro, word processing, spreadsheet). Testing available at RDC
6. Keyboarding 30 nwpm. Testing available at RDC

OR

2. Mature Student

You must be 19 years of age or older, out of high school at least one full year before the program starts with no mark below 60% in:

1. Biology 30
2. Chemistry 30 or Science 30
3. ELA 30-1 or ELA 30-2 or a minimum score at the 50th percentile on the English component of the College Board Placement Test (written on campus) and a score of 2-3 on a writing sample.
4. Mathematics 30-1 or Mathematics 30-2 or a minimum score at the 60th percentile for the Math component of the College Board Placement Test (written on campus).
5. Computer literacy (including intro, word processing, spreadsheet). Testing available at the Computer Learning Lab @ RDC.
6. Keyboarding 30 nwpm. Testing is available at RDC.

Note: In addition to the program admission requirements applicants, whose first language is not English, must demonstrate English language proficiency. In addition, Pharmacy Technicians must meet the English Language Proficiency requirements of the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA).

Note: to be submitted after application and transcripts.

1. Knowledge of the Pharmacy Technician career (forms provided by the College). Pharmacy experience is an asset.
2. Two letters of reference from educators or employers, or both (forms provided by the College).
3. A one- to two-page handwritten essay giving your reasons for choosing a Pharmacy Technician career.
4. Include relevant pharmacy experience and prior learning on your application.
5. An immunization review/record is to be completed within the program prior to practicum placements. A form and deadline for submission will be provided in the first week of fall classes. Some students may require additional immunizations in order to be eligible for practicum placements.  Incompletion of immunizations may prevent practicum placement and program completion and therefore affect future employment prospects.

Note:

• Applicants should be aware that good manual dexterity and vision is essential for some of the tasks performed by pharmacy technicians. Applicants should also be able to stand and sit for extended periods of time, be able to lift items with weights up to 10 kilograms, communicate and perform effectively in stressful and busy situations both independently and with other students/co-workers . Please speak to the chairperson of the program if any of these qualifications are of concern.
• Pharmacy Technician employers may require that you be bondable.
• Part time students may be accepted with the approval of the program chairperson

Note: While not an admission requirement for the program, applicants are advised that they will be required to provide a Police Information Check and Vulnerable Sector Check to most agencies where they will be placed for practicum experiences. The existence of a Criminal Record may prevent practicum placement, program completion, professional licensure and therefore affect future employment prospects. It is the decision of each agency or institution to accept or reject a student for placement or observation experience based on the results of the criminal record check.

You must pass all courses.

Due to the changing nature of pharmacy and health care, students must complete the program within 4 academic years from the term to which they were first admitted. Students will be required to repeat courses that don't meet this requirement. If you have any questions regarding this requirement, consult the Department Chairperson.

The On Campus Program:

• 15 courses
• 10 months (September to June):
• • 8 months at RDC
  • 2 months of practicum
  • Community Pharmacy (160 hrs, 4 week block)
  • Hospital Pharmacy (160 hrs, 4 week block)
• 3 terms

The Distance Program: DISTANCE DELIVERY PROGRAM SUSPENDED

Note: This is a part-time program.

• 15 courses
• 2 1/3 years
• 7 terms

Practicum:

• 2 months of practicum
  • Community Pharmacy Practicum (140-160 hrs, 4 week block)
  • Hospital Pharmacy Practicum (140-160 hrs, 4 week block)

To participate in the distance program, students must have access to a computer with Internet and e-mail capabilities. Distance students must also arrange for an approved examination proctor. Lab courses are at the RDC campus.

Fast-Track Option:

A fast-track option may be available to students interested in taking an accelerated distance program. This program allows students to take 2 first year courses and 2 second year courses each term. Therefore 4 courses per term in fall, winter and spring terms. Lab courses are taken here at RDC in spring term (May & June). This requires a commitment for 2 weeks in May and 2 weeks in June. Students then complete their hospital and community pharmacy practicums and the communications course in fall term of the second year. therefore the "fast track" program is usually completed in 1 year plus 1 term. We advise prospective students to apply to the program and once accepted let the Pharmacy Technician Program Assistant know via email if they would like their name added to our list of students interested in fast tracking. "Fast tracking", if available, will be accommodated on a first come-first served basis following an applicant's acceptance into the pharmacy technician program.

Practicum Expenses - The RDC pharmacy technician program includes a 4 week (160 hours) community pharmacy practicum placement and a 4 week (160 hours) hospital pharmacy practicum placement. Practicum expenses can vary depending on practicum location. Minimum costs will be room and board, relocation costs, and travel to and from the workplace. You will need proper clothing for working with the public in a professional setting. When placing students in practicums, every effort is made to consider student preferences for location but due to practicum availability students may be required to travel to locations outside of their preferences in the province of Alberta in order to complete the practicum requirements. In extreme circumstances, the College may need to delay completion of a practicum placement until a placement becomes available.

Material and Special Fees: PHAR 110, PHAR 111, PHAR 130, PHAR 140, PHAR 151, PHAR 171, PHAR 180, PHAR 181, PHAR 191, PHAR 192, COMM 140 - $50 (each distance delivery only)