School of Health Sciences

Pharmacy Technicians are essential members of the allied healthcare profession and fulfill a key role. Graduates of the Pharmacy Technician program will have the skills and knowledge necessary to become competent and effective members of the health care team and to meet the needs of the labour market. Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists to maintain inventories of medications and prescription records of pharmaceutical products, ensure the information on prescriptions is accurate, enter patient information in databases and prepare medications for patients, compound oral solutions, ointments and creams, bill third party insurers and may help with scheduling and workflow. Pharmacy Technicians are employed in community and hospital pharmacy settings, in long-term care facilities, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and insurance companies.

The Pharmacy Technician program meets the current scope of practice for entry level Pharmacy Technician in Qatar as outlined by the Ministry of Public Health and is accredited by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP). The program includes coursework, team-oriented projects and a final 12-week clinical placement at different sites, focusing on areas of technical learning, interpersonal skills, team-building, communications and inter-professional practice. This program provides diverse opportunities for students to gain competencies and enhance skills so they are able to contribute to the social, economic and cultural wellbeing of their communities.

1. Demonstrate required skills, knowledge and abilities as prescribed by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) and aligned to the scope of practice for entry level pharmacy technicians as outlined by the Ministry of Health in Qatar. 
2. Demonstrate safe and aseptic practice within the legal framework of National regulations. 
3. Communicate effectively and work collaboratively with other members of the health care team to serve patients and employers with the highest degree of competence. 
4. Reflect professionalism through interactions with patients, co-workers and employers. 
5. Describe effective pharmacy management, business principles, and inventory control. 
6. Recognize the importance of continuing education and professional affiliations. 
7. Demonstrate prescription processing including compounding. 
8. Integrate knowledge and skills to effectively operate pharmacy computer software programs and recall techniques for saving data. 
9. Use problem-solving skills which promote independent decision making in the practice of a pharmacy technician. 
   

Program graduates may obtain employment in a variety of pharmacy practice areas such as:

• Hospital pharmacy in a government or private setting
• Community pharmacy in a retail pharmacy or government/private clinic
  
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing site (following additional company training)
• Home healthcare agency
• Research facility
  
•  Insurance company 
• Long-term care facility 
• Qatar Petroleum and/or other oil/gas companies 
• Controlled substance surveillance facility
  

Immunization Requirements

1. Proof of current immunity to following diseases:
   • Measles, Mumps, Rubella
   • Varicella
   • Hepatitis A, B (include all dates)
2. Proof of tetanus/diphtheria booster (required every 10 years)
3. Hepatitis C and HIV screening
4. TB screening and BCG history – Mantoux 2-step skin testing if status unknown
5. Chest x-ray if indicated by Mantoux skin test
6. Yearly seasonal flu vaccination strongly recommended

Accreditation

The Pharmacy Technician program at CNA-Q is accredited by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP). CCAPP’s goals encompass the attainment of the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) Professional Competencies for Canadian Pharmacy Technicians at Entry to Practice and the Canadian Pharmacy Technician Educators Association (CPTEA) standards. The Pharmacy Technician program also meets the current scope of practice for entry level Pharmacy Technician in Qatar, as outlined by the Ministry of Public Health.

Further Studies

Graduates of the Pharmacy Technician program may have the opportunity to transfer course credits to other academic institutions. 

A current list of post-secondary institutions offering admission and transfer credit to CNA-Q graduates who meet the entrance requirements is available from the Admissions & Registration Department or the Career Counselling and Resource Centre. 

1. Students entering the Pharmacy Technician program must meet English language proficiency requirements by obtaining one of the following:

• An overall score of 65 or greater   on the Oxford Online Placement Test  (OOPT) or a passing score from another approved internationally recognized English language test, as validated by the Admissions & Registration Department 
• A valid IELTS Academic Test Report Form with an overall band of 5.0 with no individual band score (reading, writing, speaking, listening) below 4.5. 
• Successful completion of FL1090, a language development course. 

1. Students graduating from the Pharmacy Technician program must meet English language exit requirements by presenting a valid IELTS Academic Test Report Form with an overall band of 6.0 with no individual band score below 5.5.​