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. 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. 

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
  •  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
Note: Students will be denied access to clinical placements without medical verification of complete immunization/screening requirements.

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 Registrar’s Office or the Career Counselling and Resource Centre. 

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%
    * Biology and Chemistry (Grade 12 level or equivalent)
    		Minimum 60%
  2. 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 5.0 with no individual skill band below 4.5, are exempt from taking the AEP. For score requirements on other internationally recognized tests, such as TOEFL, contact the Registrar’s Office.
* 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 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 Registrar’s Office 
    • 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.​