The Pharmacy Technician Certificate program prepares students for employment as technicians in community and hospital pharmacies. Students gain knowledge and skills relevant to the technical and clerical aspects of the pharmacy profession.
Topics covered include: job orientation, pharmacy equipment, prescription preparation, mathematical skills in pharmacy, inventory maintenance, record keeping, pharmaceutical products, compounding, sterile product handling, hospital pharmacy procedures, computer skills, communication skills and the law as it applies to pharmacies, and the legal relationship between a pharmacist and technician.
The program includes theory, demonstrations, and practice in the classroom. Students will be assigned both a community pharmacy and a hospital pharmacy practicum. Students are required to have a lab coat or nurse's uniform for the labs and practicum. Please note that practicum placements may be anywhere in BC, so travel may be required.
Program graduates will have completed the first step to becoming a regulated pharmacy technician. For more information on the regulation process for pharmacy technicians please visit: http://www.bcpharmacists.org/new-practice.
The length of the theory and lab practice portion of the program is approximately 26 full-time weeks per year, depending on the Calendar year. The two practica, hospital and community, are 180 hours each.
B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent (Adult Graduate Diploma).
For applicants whose first language is English: English 12 with minimum 60% or alternatives.
Or
Or
An undergraduate degree from a university in Canada, whose instruction was provided in English.
A minimum grade of 60% in BIOL 11, Life Sciences 11, or an equivalent Advanced Level ABE Biology course, or Biology 12, Anatomy and Physiology 12, or an equivalent. The Biology course must include a human anatomy and physiology component.
For applicants who have completed their Biology courses in B.C. (at the senior secondary level or through ABE), Biology 12 is required. B.C. Biology 11 does not include a human anatomy and physiology component.
A minimum grade of 60% in Chemistry 11 or an equivalent Advanced Level Adult Basic Education Chemistry course. Chemistry 12 is recommended.
A minimum of 60% in any of:
Or a minimum of 70% on an Okanagan College Mathematics 11 Proficiency Exam.
Applicants who have not satisfied this requirement within the last seven years may write the Okanagan College Mathematics 11 Proficiency exam and must receive a minimum grade of 70%.
The following will be collected on the first day of classes by the instructor:
The practica are used to provide the student with practical experience as a Pharmacy Technician.
Students must complete and pass PHRM 111 Hospital Practicum and PHRM 112 Community Practicum.
Students must complete all other courses in the program outline with a minimum grade of 70%.
Program Area:
Health and Social Development
Campus (Intake):
Credential:
Certificate
Delivery:
Cost:
2022-23: $10,554.51
Notes:
Applications open June 1 for January 2023. Applications for June 2022 are open.
This program is student loan eligible.
Okanagan College Calendar: Printed 05/28/2022