2 years
 

As a Pharmacy Technician, the graduate will perform drug distribution tasks in a variety of health care settings, such as hospitals, long-term care facilities and community pharmacies. Pharmacy Technicians work collaboratively with Pharmacists, Pharmacy Assistants and other health care professionals to provide patient centered health care.

This program is accredited by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP). It 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 in the province of Alberta can be found by accessing the Alberta College of Pharmacists website (www.pharmacists.ab.ca).

RDC has been educating Pharmacy Technicians since 1976 and graduates are highly sought after by employers. This diploma program is delivered over five academic terms.

Program outcomes are designed to enable successful transition to the role of the Pharmacy Technician, assisting students to:

• Communicate effectively and respectfully to build positive relationships through verbal, nonverbal, written and technological means with patients, co-workers and other health care providers.
• Practice in a legal, ethical and professional manner demonstrating conduct that meets expectations of members of society and the profession.
• Accurately manage and perform technical and distributive tasks expected of a pharmacy technician.
• Build collaborative relationships within the pharmacy and health care teams to optimize patient safety and meet patient health care needs and improve health outcomes.
• Perform job related tasks in a safe and effective manner that ensures quality and patient safety while using professional judgment as to which tasks can be performed independently or in collaboration with a pharmacist.
• Maintain, enhance and share knowledge, skills and attitude through self-reflective practice, use of available learning resources, networking and self-directed learning to continue to be a lifelong learner.

Thompson Rivers University - Open Learning - Graduates of RDCs Pharmacy Technician Diploma will be granted a maximum of 54 transfer credits into the Bachelor of Health Science.

Transfer arrangements are different at each university and you are advised to consult the Alberta Transfer Guide, your Associate Dean, academic advisors and the university to which you will transfer for more information.
 

1. Academic requirements:

High School Diploma or GED with a minimum of 50% in each course with an overall average of 60% in:

• Biology 30
• Chemistry 20
• ELA 30-1 or ELA 30-2
• Mathematics 30-1 or Mathematics 30-2

Note: Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency in addition to the program admission requirements.

In addition, admission into a CCAPP-accredited pharmacy technician program should be limited to candidates who provide documentation of one of the following as evidence of language proficiency:

1. Language proficiency test results that meet the NAPRA Language Proficiency Requirements for Licensure as a Pharmacy Technician in Canada (TOEFL minimum score of 91 internet based or IELTS minimum score of 6.5 overall, with at least 6.0 on each band score or MELAB minimum score of 81 overall, with at least 80 on each band score); or
2. Graduation from a high school in Canada with three consecutive, first language English or French courses/credits; or
3. Graduation from a Collège d'enseignement général et professionnel (CEGEP) in Quebec with three consecutive, first language English or French courses/credits; or
4. An undergraduate degree from a university in Canada, whose instruction was provided in English or French.

(For more information, please consult the Language Proficiency Requirements for Licensure as a Pharmacy Technician in Canada released by the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities.)

2. Non-Academic program requirements:

Students should possess basic computing skills and have the ability to use word processing software.

In order to proceed into practicum courses, you must show evidence of the required specific schedule of immunization prior to program start date. A form will be provided by the college. Some students may require additional immunizations or testing in order to be eligible for particular practicum placements.

Note:  Health Sciences workers are responsible to attain and maintain required health and safety certifications and maintain recommended immunization standards. As a student of a Health Sciences program you also are required to meet these standards of practice. These Health and Safety Requirements do not need to be submitted as part of your application. You are encouraged to become familiar with the requirements as soon as possible to ensure completion prior to program start and before the first day of classes. Once you have been accepted into your program please start submitting these Health and Safety Requirements.  See full information at Health & Safety Requirements .

Note: Students will be required to successfully complete a keyboarding assessment and obtain at least 30 wpm. Testing will be provided at RDC. Students must pass this assessment by December 1st of their first year of studies in the program as this is a prerequisite for the second term of studies. Students should begin preparing for this assessment upon admission to the program.

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 program faculty if any of these qualifications are of concern.

Note: While not an admission requirement for the program, applicants are 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, and 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.

Note: Students with Study Permits that are admitted to a program that has a practicum or clinical placement in childcare, primary/secondary school teaching or health service field occupations must complete their Medical Authorization as required by Citizenship and Immigration Canada one month prior to the start of classes.

The student must pass all courses and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00. 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.

Year 1:

Fall and Winter term

• PHTD 100 Professional Role and Ethics
• PHTD 105 Pharmacology Fundamentals
• PHTD 110 Foundations of Pharmacy
• PHTD 115 Pharmacy Calculations
• PHTD 120 Jurisprudence
• PHTD 125 Pharmacotherapeutics I
• PHTD 130 Pharmacy Computer Systems
• PHTD 135 Dispensing I
• PHTD 140 Preparation for Practice I
• INTP 102 Healthcare Anatomy and Physiology
• INTP 104 Healthcare Communication I
• INTP 105 Healthcare Communication II

Year 2:

Fall, Winter and Spring term

• PHTD 200 Non-Prescription and Complementary Therapies
• PHTD 205 Non-Sterile Compounding
• PHTD 210 Aseptic Technique
• PHTD 215 Hospital/Institutional Practice
• PHTD 220 Community Health Project
• PHTD 225 Pharmacotherapeutics II
• PHTD 226 Pharmacotherapeutics III
• PHTD 231 Community Pharmacy Practicum
• PHTD 232 Hospital Pharmacy Practicum
• PHTD 235 Dispensing II
• PHTD 240 Preparation for Practice II
• INTP 201 Interprofessional Leadership

Note: Due to the rapidly changing nature of pharmacy and health care, students must complete both practicum courses within one academic year of completing the other required courses. Students unable to meet this timeline may have to repeat courses as deemed necessary. Practicum courses are designed to be completed on a full-time basis due to the number of required hours in each practicum block.

Note: Practicum Expenses - The RDC Pharmacy Technician diploma 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 require appropriate clothing or uniform attire for working with the public in a professional setting.

Note: Practicum Travel - While every effort is made to consider student preferences for practicum location 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.