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

This program is accredited by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) and prepares the graduate to become a Registered Pharmacy Technician (RPhT) following graduation and successful completion of the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) certification process and the Alberta College of Pharmacists (ACP) registration process. Details regarding registering as a Pharmacy Technician can be found by accessing the Alberta College of Pharmicists website (www. pharmacists.ab.ca).

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 or Mathematics 30 Applied
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 of 80 on the Reading component, 86 on the Sentence component and 5 on the written essay component of the College Board Placement Test.
4. Mathematics 30-1 or Mathematics 30-2 or Mathematics 30 Applied 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 who did not graduate from a high school, university, community college, or private vocational college in Canada or the United States, must demonstrate English language proficiency. In addition, Pharmacy Technicians must meet the English Language Proficiency requirements of the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities.

In order to proceed into practicum courses, you must show evidence of the required specific schedule of immunization.  A form and deadline for submission will be provided by the college.  Some students may require additional immunizations or testing in order to be eligible for particular practicum placements. Failure to provide evidence of completed immunization will prevent students from entering practicum placements. Students are responsible for any fees involved with the assessment or administration of immunizations.

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 (also known as a Criminal Record Check) including a Vulnerable Sector Check to most agencies where they will be placed for practicum experiences. The existence of police information or 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 police information check.

You must pass all courses and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

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.

The On Campus Program:

Program is under redevelopment from a one year certificate to a two year diploma pending approval.
Details to follow when available.

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

Fall Term
PHAR 110 Pharmacy Practice I
PHAR 120 Dispensing I
PHAR 130 Pharmacy Laws and Agreements
PHAR 140 Pharmaceutical Calculations
PHAR 161 Computer Skills
PHAR 180 Pharmacology I

Winter Term
COMM 140 Fundamentals of Workplace Communications
PHAR 111 Pharmacy Practice II
PHAR 121 Dispensing II
PHAR 151 Hospital Pharmacy
PHAR 155 Aseptic Technique
PHAR 171 Community Pharmacy
PHAR 181 Pharmacology II

Spring Term
PHAR 191 Retail Pharmacy Practicum
PHAR 192 Hospital Pharmacy Practicum

Note: Due to the rapidly changing nature of pharmacy and health care, students must complete both practicum courses (PHAR 191 and PHAR 192) within one academic year of finishing their other course work. Students not able to meet this timeline will have to repeat the lab courses: PHAR 120, 121, 155 and 161. Please note that most practicums require a block set of full-time hours not part-time.

Course Descriptions

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)