Pharmacy Technician Diploma :: NorQuest College

Our nationally accredited Pharmacy Technician program thoroughly prepares graduates for this fast-paced and highly respected occupation. As a regulated pharmacy technician, you will be involved with the preparation of prescriptions for dispensing, preparing compounded medications and sterile products, repackaging pharmaceuticals, managing inventory, and providing customer care. The two 4-week practicums give you the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills in both retail and institutional pharmacy settings.

NorQuest College is one of three community colleges to offer the Pharmacy Technician Bridging Education program. This program was introduced by the Alberta College of Pharmacists to ensure that technicians moving forward to regulated status have met the defined competencies to practise safely and effectively in this new and expanded role. Visit the Pharmacy Technician Bridging Program web page or call 780-644-6395 for more information.

Applicants are requested to review the requirements listed below and assess their ability to fulfill the demands of the occupation of pharmacy technician.

Career Potential

Pharmacy technicians work in hospitals, retail pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, and insurance companies.

Accreditation Status

The Pharmacy Technician Diploma Program at NorQuest College was granted Provisional Accreditation Status by The Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs for the period 2008 to 2012.

This accreditation standard means that graduates will be eligible to sit the entry-to-practice Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) Qualifying Exam and may go on to become Regulated Technicians with the Alberta College of Pharmacists.

For more information on becoming a Registered Pharmacy Technician in the Province of Alberta, visit the Alberta College of Pharmacists website.

Admission Requirements

18 years of age
Grade 12 diploma*
60% in English Language Arts 30-1 or 70% in English Language Arts 30-2 or equivalent
60% in Pure Mathematics 30 or Applied Mathematics 30 or equivalent
60% in Biology 30 or equivalent
60% in Chemistry 30 or equivalent
Copies of records for any immunizations that you have received in the past
Keyboarding speed of at least 30 wpm. To book an assessment of your typing skills contact 780-644-6130.

Practicum Requirements

The following are not required for admission purposes, but will be required before you attend your practicum:

CPR - Level C/AED
Clear criminal record check; must include vulnerable sector check (More than one criminal record check may be necessary during the length of your program, in accordance with practicum requirements.) Note: Internet (online) criminal record checks are NOT accepted by the College. Please contact your local law enforcement agency directly to obtain an official criminal record check.

* For mature students (age 19+), all requirements must be met except the need for a Grade 12 diploma.

English Language Proficiency

If English is your second language, you must provide proof of English language proficiency (ELP) prior to admission. ELP must have been completed within two years prior to application to the program. Acceptable evidence of ELP may be one of the following:

TOEFL Internet-based test score 91, with a minimum score of 23 in speaking, 25 in writing, 22 in reading, and 21 in listening.
IELTS Academic 6.5, with no band score below 6
MELAB score of 81, with a minimum score of 3+ in speaking, 80 in writing, 83 in reading, and 80 in listening
CanTEST with a minimum score of 4.5 in speaking, 4.0 in writing, 4.5 in reading, and 4.5 in listening

Note: Meeting the English language proficiency requirement does NOT exempt the applicant from meeting the English academic course work required for admission. These language proficiency standards are required by the provincial regulatory authority, Alberta College of Pharmacists (ACP) and the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA).

Provisional Admission

An applicant may be granted provisional admission to this program. A student who has provisional admission must satisfy certain conditions within the first year of enrolment and by the date specified in the offer of admission. Conditions will be stipulated in the admission letter. Access to courses, activities, and practicum experiences may be limited until all provisional requirements are met.

Prep for Pharmacy Technician Admission Route

An alternative admission route to this program may be obtained by successful completion of the Prep for Pharmacy Technician program. Visit the Prep for Pharmacy Technician Bridging Program or call 780-644-6395 for more information.

Facilities

The dispensing lab provides students with practical, hands-on training in compounding, sterile product preparation, repackaging, inventory management, and dispensing. In the lab, students have the opportunity to use technologies currently employed by those working in the profession, including: Laminar Airflow Hoods (LAH), Kroll and Nexxys computer software, and automated dispensing cabinets.

NorQuest College's state-of-the-art simulation lab prepares students to work collaboratively with other health care professionals as part of an interdisciplinary team.

Transferability

Diploma program graduates are eligible for block transfer credit into the following post-secondary programs:

Additional credit transfer agreements with various institutions are currently in negotiation. Please visit Transfer Alberta for the most up-to-date information.

Contact the Allied Health Careers department (780-644-6396) for suitable electives and to confirm your course(s) have transferability. University-level courses from another post-secondary institution may be considered for transfer credit.

Progression

Students must attain a pass grade in each course to progress through the program. To qualify for graduation, students must pass all courses.

Credential

After successfully completing all program requirements, graduates will be awarded a NorQuest Pharmacy Technician diploma. Graduates of the NorQuest College Pharmacy Technician Diploma program will be recognized by the Alberta College of Pharmacists as eligible to write the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada's national examination. Successful completion of the PEBC examination is necessary for registration as a pharmacy technician.

Honours Criteria

Tuition and Fees

Please refer to our Tuition and Fees page for the 2011/12 tuition and fees schedule.

Program Outline (2011/12)

The Pharmacy Technician Diploma Program has undergone changes which will be implemented for students entering the program in Fall 2012. Students new to the program will therefore follow the Program Outline (2012/2013).

Students currently enrolled in the program who have progressed onto the second year in Fall 2012 will register in courses identified in Year 2 of the Program Outline (2011/12).

Students who must retake a course will be required to take the equivalent course from the Program Outline (2012/13). Please contact the Allied Health Careers department at 780-644-6396 for assistance in selecting the appropriate course for registration.

Pharmacy Technician

Program Overview