Pharmacy Technician

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The Pharmacy Technician two-year diploma program is committed to providing students with the skills and knowledge necessary to become competent and effective members of the healthcare team and to meet the needs of employers as determined by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP).

CCAPP’s goals encompass the attainment of National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) Professional Competencies for Canadian Pharmacy Technicians at Entry to Practice and Canadian Pharmacy Technician Educators Association (CPTEA) standards. Each course in the Pharmacy Technician program is outlined with accompanying objectives, and learning outcomes are incorporated into the curriculum. 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, teambuilding, communications and professional practice. This provides diverse opportunities for students to gain confidence and improve competencies and enhance skills in all facets of the pharmacy technician’s role.

Objectives

  1. To provide the academic knowledge and technical skills required to meet the criteria stated in the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs.
  2. To graduate individuals who will function successfully as entry-level pharmacy technicians.
  3. To provide graduates with the skills to communicate with patients and healthcare professionals effectively, within the scope of their practice.
  4. To prepare graduates for employment in various health care facilities, such as hospital and community pharmacies, home healthcare agencies, research facilities and pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities. To give graduates the tools required to practice competently and safely within a legal and ethical framework.
  5. To provide graduates with the ability to access the latest technologies available.
  6. To encourage graduates to recognize the importance of continuing education and professional affiliations.
  7. To prepare graduates to contribute to the application of effective business principles in the pharmacy practice setting.
  8. To provide graduates with the skills to operate pharmacy computer software programs and other technological tools so they may assist in providing optimal pharmaceutical care and pharmacy services
  9. To enable graduates to contribute to the working environment, quality assurance and quality improvement processes within the scope of practice for pharmacy technicians.

Career Opportunities

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

Immunization Requirements

  1. Completed medical assessment by physician to include past and present health history
  2. Proof of current immunity to following diseases:
    • Measles, Mumps, Rubella
    • Varicella
    • Hepatitis A, B (include all dates)
  3. Proof of tetanus/diphtheria booster (required every 10 years)
  4. Hepatitis C and HIV screening
  5. TB screening and BCG history – Mantoux 2-step skin testing if status unknown
  6. Chest x-ray if indicated by Mantoux skin test
  7. Yearly seasonal flu vaccination strongly recommended
Note: Students will be denied access to clinical placements without medical verification of complete immunization/screening requirements.

Accreditation

The Pharmacy Technician Diploma program at the College is accredited by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP).

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 Registrar’s Office or the Career Counseling and Resource Centre. Staff in both these offices will provide support and assistance to CNA-Q graduates seeking to further their post-secondary studies. For more information, please refer to the Program Articulation and Transfer Credit section in this Academic Calendar.

Entrance requirements

  1. High school graduation certificate with the following:
    AverageMinimum 60%
    English Language (Grade 12 level)Minimum 60%
    Academic Mathematics (Grade 12 level)
    		Minimum 60%
    * Two Science courses selected from: Biology, ChemistryMinimum 60%
  2. Obtaining the required score on the Academic English Placement (AEP) and Academic Math Placement (AMP). Students who present a valid IELTS Academic Test Report Form received within two years with an overall band 6.5 with no individual skill band below 6.0 are exempt from taking the AEP. For score requirements on other internationally- recognized tests such as TOEFL, contact the Registrar’s Office.
* Qatari Applicants who do not meet the Science requirement may be admitted to the academic preparatory curriculum, which is designed to provide upgrading in the basic skills required for successful completion of allied health programs. Note: Applicants who do not meet the entrance requirements and are 19 years of age or older, may be considered on an individual basis under the Mature Student Clause.

Language proficiency Requirements

  1. Students entering the program must meet English language proficiency requirements by obtaining an overall score of 71 or greater on the Oxford Online Placement Test, as administered and validated by the CNA-Q Testing Centre or a valid Academic IELTS exam with an overall band of 6.0 with no individual skill band below 5.5.
  2. Students graduating from the Health and Wellness Promotion program must meet English language proficiency requirements on exit by obtaining an overall score of 71 or greater on the Oxford Online Placement Test, as administered and validated by the CNA-Q Testing Centre or a valid Academic IELTS exam with an overall band of 6.0 with no individual skill band below 5.5.​​
  3. Successfully complete FL1090, a pass/fail language development course where the final examination is the OOPT. A score of 71 or greater is required on the OOPT.