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CAREER IN HEALTH
Pharmacy Technician Diploma
Pharmacy Technicians work under the supervision of a pharmacist in
hospital and community pharmacies, performing activities such as
dispensing, compounding, repackaging, managing inventory, preparing
sterile products, and communicating extensively with patients and
health care professionals. Pharmacy Technicians are
detail-orientated and able to
problem solve and multi-task. Various duties require proficient
manual dexterity.
Demand for employees in the pharmacy field is growing:
• Alberta Human Resources and Employment forecasts an above average
demand for Pharmacy Technicians.
• The Canadian Association for Chain Drug Stores increased its
number of technicians by 23% from 2001-2002. Nearly half of those
store managers had difficulty filling those positions.
• More pharmacies, increased pharmacy hours, an aging population,
and a significant shortage of pharmacists across Canada all
contribute to a positive growth outlook for Pharmacy Technicians.
NOTE: Every effort is made to accommodate students in
hospital
placements within the time frame of the program. In some cases,
students may be required to complete hospital placements by
travelling to locations outside of Calgary. In rare instances, the
College may need to delay the date of completion until a hospital
placement can be arranged.
COURSES IN PROGRAM*
(Subject to change)
Semester 1
• College Success
• Written Communication
• Pharmacy Theory
• Pharmacotherapeutics I
• Prescription Processing I
• Pharmacy Calculations
• Pharmacy Jurisprudence & Ethics
• Pharmacotherapeutics II
• Medical Terminology
Semester 2
• Introduction to e-Portfolio
• Community Dispensing Lab
• Pharmacotherapeutics III
• Pharmacotherapeutics IV
• Non-Prescription Self-Care
• Pharmacy Management & Inventory Control
• Community Pharmacy Practice
• Interpersonal Relationships & Communication
Semester 3
• Career Skills Evaluation
• Extemporaneous Compounding
• Hospital Pharmacy Practice
• Hospital Dispensing Lab
• Institutional Procedures
• Fundamentals of Written Communication
• Health Education: Personal Health and Wellness
• Prescription Processing II
Semester 4
• Sterile Production
• Community Pharmacy Practicum
• Hospital Pharmacy Practicum
• Entry to Practice Preparation
* For more information on the individual courses in this program,
please refer to the glossary of courses on page 119.
CHECKLIST
Admission Requirements:
Refer to Admissions Procedures for Full-Time Programs on page 8
for further clarification.
• Minimum final mark of 60% in English 30-1 or 30-2 or equivalent
• Minimum final mark of 60% in Grade 12 Math (Pure or Applied)
or equivalent
• Minimum final mark of 60% in Biology 30
• Minimum final mark of 60% in Chemistry 30
Additional Admission Requirements
• Minimum of 35 wpm on the Bow Valley College keyboarding
assessment
• Ability to work with computer word processing, spreadsheets, and
database programs is an asset
Pre-Program Requirements
The criteria listed below must be completed prior to the first day
of classes:
• A current valid immunization report
• Current Police Information Check (PIC)
Note: Students who have not submitted their documents by the
start
of the program will have their Letter of Admission withdrawn.
International Applicants or Applicants Educated Outside of Canada
English language proficiency can be demonstrated by any one of:
• Achievement of a TOEFL score of 557 – 560 on the paper-based
test, a score of 220 on the computer-based test, or a score of 83 on
the internet-based test (iBT)
• Achieving an IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
score of 6.5
• Successful completion of the English for Academic Purposes 3 (EAP
3) program at Bow Valley College with a grade of B
Math and Science proficiency can be demonstrated by:
• English transcripts showing equivalent level math and science
completion
Additional Admission Requirements and Pre-Program requirements are
same as above
Transferability
Currently under review
Fees & Dates
Dates: August 31, 2009 - full-time and part-time
Program length: Four semesters (64 weeks)
Domestic Tuition $2,192.00
Semester 2 $2,192.00
Semester 3 $2,194.00
Semester 4 $2,194.00
International Tuition $4,384.00
Semester 2 $4,384.00
Semester 3 $4,388.00
Semester 4 $4,388.00
Student Card Fee $5.00
Semester 2 $5.00
Semester 3 $5.00
Semester 4 $5.00
Student Association Fee $49.60
Semester 2 $49.60
Semester 3 $49.60
Semester 4 $49.60
Materials Fee $75.00
Semester 2 $75.00
Semester 3 $75.00
Semester 4 $75.00
Domestic Health and Dental $127.00
Semester 2 $127.00
Semester 3 $127.00
Semester 4 $127.00
International Health and Dental $240.00
Semester 2 $240.00
Semester 3 $240.00
Semester 4 $240.00
Total Tuition & Fees - Domestic $2,448.60
Semester 2 $2,448.60
Semester 3 $2,450.60
Semester 4 $2,450.60
Total Tuition & Fees - International $4,880.60
Semester 2 $4,880.60
Semester 3 $4,884.60
Semester 4 $4,884.60
* Fees subject to tuition increase.
Courses
Pharmacy Theory
(45
hours) l
^top
Learners will be introduced to basic pharmacy theory, including drug
development, pharmaceutical dosage forms, routes of administration,
storage considerations, interpretation of prescription information,
and dispensing procedures. Learners will also examine the role of
the pharmacy technician in the health care setting.
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Medical Terminology (30 hours)
l
^top
This course offers instruction in the language of medical
terminology and teaches how to read and interpret commonly used
medical terms, symbols and abbreviations. Medical Terminology covers
rules, prefixes, suffixes, roots, combining forms and basic
introduction to body systems. This course will involve a self study
component.
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Pharmacy Jurisprudence and Ethics (45 hours)
l
^top
Learners will examine
federal and provincial legislation, drug schedules and practice
standards related to the practice of pharmacy in Alberta.
Learners will learn to apply ethical principles to
pharmacy-specific situations.
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Pharmacy Calculations
(60 hours)
l
^top
Learners will apply
basic mathematics to pharmaceutical calculations for both
community and hospital pharmacy. Emphasis will be placed on
accuracy.
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Interpersonal Relationships & Communication Skills
(45 hours)
l
^top
Learners will learn
about basic communication skills such as listening, interpreting
verbal and non-verbal messages, and understanding the emotions
of others. Discover the link between interpersonal communication
and relationships. Increase your self awareness so that you can
better analyze and understand your personal communication style
and that of others. Learn strategies for effective communication
and conflict management in the workplace.
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Community Pharmacy Practice (60 hours)
l
^top
Learners will learn
about procedures specific to community pharmacy, including third
party billing. Learners will investigate and demonstrate use of
devices and health care products encountered in community
practice. Extensive use of role-plays related to community
practice will enhance development of effective communication
skills.
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Prescription Processing I
(45
hours) l
^top
Learners will apply
dispensing procedures while learning the basics of a pharmacy
software system. Learners will enter and modify patient,
physician and drug information, interpret prescription
information, apply basic third party billing principles, select
appropriate products from the system database, and generate
labels.
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Prescription Processing II (30 hours) l
^top
Learners will build experience and efficiency in prescription
processing using an alternate pharmacy software system. Learners
will enter and modify patient, physician and drug information,
interpret prescription information, apply basic third party
billing principles, select appropriate products from the system
database, and generate labels.
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Extemporaneous Compounding (45 hours) l
^top
Learners will examine theory relating to extemporaneous
compounding and apply this knowledge in the compounding lab.
Learners will prepare a variety of extemporaneous compounds
using appropriate techniques.
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Community Dispensing Laboratory (90 hours)
l
^top
Learners will apply
dispensing procedures while integrating skills and knowledge,
including prescription translation, pharmacy law and ethics,
pharmaceutical calculations, reimbursement considerations, and
effective communication. Extensive use of role plays will
enhance development of effective communication skills.
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Pharmacotherapeutics I
(30 hours)
l
^top
Learners will be introduced to the concepts of basic
physiology, pathology, and pharmacology. Learners will examine
conditions related to the central and autonomic nervous systems
and corresponding pharmacologic treatments.
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Pharmacotherapeutics II
(45
hours) l
^top
Learners will be
introduced to the concepts of basic physiology, pathology, and
pharmacology. Learners will examine conditions related to the
cardiovascular, respiratory and urinary systems and
corresponding pharmacologic treatments.
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Pharmacotherapeutics III (45 hours) l
^top
Learners will be introduced to the concepts of basic physiology,
pathology, and pharmacology. Learners will examine inflammatory
conditions as well as conditions related to the gastrointestinal
and endocrine systems. Corresponding pharmacologic treatments
will be studied.
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Pharmacotherapeutics IV (45 hours) l
^top
Learners will be introduced to microbiology and antimicrobials
used in the treatment of bacterial, fungal and viral infections.
Cancers and corresponding chemotherapy will be closely examined.
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Pharmacy Management & Inventory Control
(30 hours)
l
^top
Learners will examine business principles, inventory
management practices and purchasing procedures in hospital and
community pharmacy practice.
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Fundamentals of Written Communication
(45 hours)
l
^top
Learners will explore various genres of literature
and learn to write college-level essays. This course is not
remedial; competency in high-school grammar and composition is
required.
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College Success 101
(15
hours) l
^top
This course is a
graduation requirement for career program learners. Learners
will learn to study effectively, take personal responsibility
and learn the essential employability skills needed to succeed
in college and life.
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Introduction to E-Portfolios
(15 hours)
l
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This course introduces you to e-portfolio philosophy
and software. Create and maintain an e-portfolio that emphasizes
your personal, educational, and career goals.
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Non-Prescription Self-Care (45 hours)
l
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Learners will be introduced to
non-prescription products available to patients for
self-selection. Learners will examine over-the-counter drugs and
natural health products used for common conditions.
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Career Skills Evaluation (15 hours)
l
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This final course in the college success series helps
you assess your employment skills and design a professional
development plan as you prepare to transition from college to
the workplace.
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Health Education: Personal Health and Wellness (45 hours)
l
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This course provides learners with an overview of the
physical, social, mental, environmental and spiritual aspects of
personal health and wellness.
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Institutional Procedures (45 hours)
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Learners will interpret
and process institutional medication orders using pharmacy
software. Application of the formulary system and standard
institutional policies and procedures will be emphasized.
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Hospital Pharmacy Practice
(60 hours)
l
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Learners will examine
hospital pharmacy practice, including the role of hospital
pharmacy within the health care system, drug distribution
systems, medication safety, and the role of the pharmacy
technician. Learners will be introduced to principles of aseptic
technique for sterile production and quality assurance.
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Hospital Dispensing Lab (90 hours)
l
^top
Learners will apply
hospital dispensing procedures while integrating skills and
knowledge including order interpretation, drug distribution
systems, calculations, record-keeping, and communication.
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Sterile Production
(45 hours)
l
^top
Learners will prepare intravenous admixtures and
other sterile products while applying fundamentals of aseptic
technique. Learners will develop appropriate sterile production
techniques while closely adhering to established protocol.
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Community Pharmacy Practicum
(150 hours)
l
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Learners will spend
four consecutive weeks in a community pharmacy to gain
experience in all aspects of the pharmacy technician's role.
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Hospital Pharmacy Practicum (150 hours)
l
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Learners will spend four consecutive weeks in an
institutional pharmacy to gain experience in all aspects of the
pharmacy technician's role.
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Entry to Practice Preparation (30 hours)
l
^top
This course will assist learners in preparing for entry into
professional practice. Learners will develop and implement a
personalized learning plan, using comprehensive practice exams
to assess knowledge, skills, and abilities in the role of the
pharmacy technician. Learners will also prepare documentation
and apply strategies to assist in obtaining employment.
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Click
here for information on how to register for this course.
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