Job Roles Program Description The Pharmacy Technician program program provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to assist the pharmacist in the preparation and distribution of medications. Strong math skills are needed as students are required to perform calculations to determine dosages and quantities to prepare/dispense. Computers are used to process information, fill prescriptions, and maintain patient medication profiles. Compounding of creams, oral liquids, and sterile products are also taught. A keyboarding speed of 30 wpm is required for program completion. Entrance Requirements Applicants must have obtained a complete Grade 12 standing from a Canadian school including: Grade 12 Math (40S) Grade 12 English Language Arts (40S) Grade 12 Biology or Chemistry (40S) 20 wpm keyboarding speed For further information regarding entrance requirements to the College and the Mature Student option, refer to the application/admission process on the College's web site. It is strongly recommended that students entering this program have familiarity with a Windows Operating System and some knowledge of word processing. Program Length/Start Dates/Location: Full-time students - 10 months Class hours - day (8:30 am - 3:30 pm) Location -  Pembina Campus Start dates - September (If space is available, another intake will be integrated into the class.)  Work Practicum The Pharmacy Technician program features a twelve-week Work Practicum placement in a local workplace which provides students with valuable on-the-job training and experience.  Students will apply skills learned in the classroom and develop new skills through working within an actual employer's facility. National Accreditation standards require that students must do rotations at both institutional and community pharmacy settings. They also require a minimum of 135 hours of work experience in each setting. Current immunization documentation is mandatory prior to qualifying for Work Practicum placement in a hospital. Students will be required to undergo a "Criminal Records Check" and "Child Abuse Registry Check" prior to a Work Practicum placement. Accreditation The Pharmacy Technician program has been awarded the status of Provisional Accreditation by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) for the three-year term of 2010 to 2012. Students who graduate from this program are eligible to write the National Qualifying exam through the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC). For further information on accreditation or the National exam, please go to www.ccapp-accredit.ca or www.pebc.ca. Employment Opportunities Graduates of this program usually find employment as pharmacy technicians in community and hospital pharmacies. The Cumulative Employment Rate for graduates of this program for the period of July 2003 to June 2008 is 80%. The median wage for students graduating from this program between July 2007 and June 2008 is $10.35 per hour. 2010/2011 Tuition Fee/Costs* Tuition: $3,500.00 Books: (issued by instructor) $450.00 Total Due: $3,950.00 Additional Student Purchase Supplies: $105.00 *Tuition may be subject to change. Course Content - Pharmacy Technician Course Code Grade Level Course Name Course Requirement(s) PT-010 8860 10S Introduction to Pharmacy Technician Students are introduced to the relationships between pharmacy personnel, other health professionals, and the consumers of services. Students learn to interpret pharmaceutical abbreviations and use pharmacy resource books. None PT-021 8862 45S Communication Skills This course promotes skills needed for communication with the public, with coworkers, and other health care professionals. Students will learn about their own communication styles and how to adapt them to various situations. None PT-025 8863 45S Medical Terminology Common medical terminology and its application to human anatomy, physiology, drugs, and disease are presented. None PT-031 8864 45S Compounds and Medication This course involves the identification of instruments and techniques used for compounding and dispensing. The selection and application of auxiliary labels and use of the pharmacy software, Kroll are also included. None PT-032 8875 45S Compounds and Medication II In this course, the Assyst RxA pharmacy software is learned. Students learn the techniques used in sterile preparations, unit dose oral syringes, and blister packaging. Students have an opportunity to practice blood glucose monitoring and blood pressure measurement. PT-031, PT-101 PT-040 8871 40S Applied Pharmacy Technician (Community) In this course, students will be placed in a community pharmacy to experience a structured learning and work environment. Students will transfer and apply knowledge and skills to the practice of pharmacy as it applies to pharmacy technicians. As advised by instructor PT-044 8872 40S Applied Pharmacy Technician II (Institutional) In this course, students will be placed in an institutional pharmacy to experience a structured learning and work environment. Students will transfer and apply knowledge and skills to the practice of pharmacy as it applies to pharmacy technicians. PT-010, PT-031, PT-070 PT-045 8873 40S Applied Pharmacy Technician III (Community) In this course, students will be placed in a community pharmacy to experience a structured learning and work environment. Students will transfer and apply knowledge and skills to the practice of pharmacy as it applies to pharmacy technicians. PT-021, PT-040 PT-046 8873 40S Applied Pharmacy Technician III (Institutional) In this course, students will be placed in an institutional pharmacy to experience a structured learning and work environment. Students will transfer and apply knowledge and skills to the practice of pharmacy as it applies to pharmacy technicians. PT-021, PT-044 PT-050 8867 40S Classification of Drugs This course presents students with the major drugs and drug classes used in health care. Where pertinent, anatomy, physiology, pathology, and terminology will be reviewed or incorporated. This course is continued in Classification of Drugs II. PT-010, PT-025, PT-031 PT-055 8874 45S Classification of Drugs II This course covers drugs for disorders of nutrition and metabolism, alternative medicines and nutraceuticals, treatment of accidents and injuries, disease prevention, rehabilitation, death and dying as well as issues related to the health of men, women, and children. PT-010, PT-025, PT-031 PT-061 8868 45S Community Pharmacy Practice This course covers the different community pharmacy operations, their advantages and disadvantages, the dispensary layout, and how drugs are classified with regards to how and where they may be offered for sale. None PT-070 8866 40S Pharmaceutical Calculations This course involves calculations using Roman numerals, fractions, and various pharmaceutical measurement systems and how to convert one to another. Calculations using ratio, proportion, percent, parts per million (ppm), milliequivalents (mEq), millimoles (mmol), and reducing and enlarging formulas are also included. None PT-091 8869 45S Pharmacy Law and Ethics This course will identify the various pharmaceutical associations and organizations relevant to the pharmacy industry. Acts relating to pharmacy practices will also be studied. PT-010 PT-101 8865 45S Institutional Pharmacy Practice This course introduces students to the practice of pharmacy in institutional settings. The organization of health care provision in the province will be discussed and the pharmacy’s role within the health care system. PT-010, PT-070 More links.