Pharmacy Technician Diploma

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.

Note: Pharmacy Technician applicants will be offered Conditional Admission on a competitive basis, based on GPA ranking.

The GPA calculation for Conditional Admission will be calculated according to one of the following:

• 20 high school credits from those courses required for admission. If any of the specified courses are in progress at the transcript submission deadline, the 20-level in the subject will be used.
• 18 post-secondary credits including all credits from the most-recently completed term plus the best grades from the next most recent term. 
•  Applicants with fewer than 18 post-secondary credits will have their GPA calculated using all post-secondary credits plus credits from the most recently completed High School semester using the best grade(s) from the courses required for admission.

Note: Post-secondary credits will be used in the Conditional Admission GPA calculation before High School credits, regardless of when the post-secondary credits were earned. Post-secondary credits do NOT include High School equivalents completed at a post-secondary institution (i.e. Academic upgrading high school equivalents completed at RDP).

Note: Transcript deadline for the initial GPA calculation is March 1.

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 Academic 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:  Applicants are required to have either a MAC or PC laptop that meet the following specifications:

Apple Laptop Minimum Requirement:  MacBook Air with 1.6 GHz dual-core Intel i5 processor, 128 GB storage solid state, 4 Gb memory.  Web camera (built in or as peripheral) and Microphone.   

Windows Laptop Minimum Requirement:  Laptop with a 2.6 GHz dual-core Intel i5 processor, 128 GB storage, 4 Gb memory and Windows 10 operating system.  Web camera (built in or as peripheral) and Microphone.

Software:  Latest version of Adobe Flash, Google Chrome browser, *Microsoft Word.

*Microsoft World is used for several purposes.  Students can either purchase and install the Microsoft Word application, or install the free software client to use a Red Deer Polytechnic virtual desktop with the full Microsoft Office Suite of applications.

Note:  The program is designed to be completed full-time in 2 years.  If student specific circumstances require a change in the program schedule, registration in laboratory courses may depend on space within the course.  Registration in laboratory courses may be delayed if course is full and thus will delay program completion.

Note:  Sterile/Aseptic compounding requires compliance with the requirements set forth by the NAPRA standards for pharmacy compounding of sterile preparations.  These standards have specific requirements for garments and restrictions on personal adornments including, but not limited to, jewelry, makeup, nails, permanent tattoos, and piercings that students must comply with in order to perform sterile compounding both in their sterile course and in their practicum placement.  Sterile compounding also requires significant hand dexterity and the ability to work with the hands for extended periods of time.  If you are concerned about these requirements, please contact program faculty as not meeting these standards will hinder your ability and complete the program successfully.  

Note: 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:  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 RDP. 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.

• Pharmacy Technician