Pharmacy Technician – Diploma

Program Details

Length: 15 months

Total Credits: 60

Intake Terms: Fall

Delivery Method: Online

Campus: Online

Credential: Diploma

Cost:

Approximate program cost

Student Loans:

This program is eligible for student loans

Credential Received

Diploma in Pharmacy Technician

Overview

Program Summary

Pharmacy technicians work collaboratively with pharmacists and members of the health care team in the promotion of wellness, disease prevention and the management of chronic diseases. Pharmacy technicians are responsible and accountable for ensuring accuracy in product preparation and release.

Selkirk College’s Pharmacy Technician Program prepares graduates for employment as pharmacy technicians in a variety of settings, including community, hospital and residential pharmacies. Graduates have the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to meet the entry-level competencies defined by the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA).

The program has been awarded the status of Full Accreditation by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP).

The program is delivered using a blend of online theory courses, face-to-face lab classes and practicum hours in both hospital and community. The program is 15 months in length and consists of three theory semesters, one lab semester, followed by eight weeks of practicum. Students are required to relocate to the Castlegar Campus for seven weeks to complete the face-to-face labs where they apply theory learned in the online courses and prepare for practicum.

Graduates of the program are eligible for direct admission into the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada certification process and the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia registration process.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the Pharmacy Technician Program will meet the competencies and educational outcomes as set out by the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) and the Canadian Pharmacy Technician Educators Association (CPTEA):

Practice within legal requirements, demonstrate professionalism and uphold professional standards of practice, codes of ethics and policies
Participate in meeting the patient’s health goals and drug-related needs by establishing caring and professional relationships
Contribute to a safe, effective and efficient product distribution and release in the practice setting
Support health promotion activities for patients, communities and populations in collaboration with the pharmacist and other health professionals
Make theory-based and evidence-informed decisions in practice, ensuring safe and effective product distribution
Collaborate with members of the intra- and inter-professional health teams to support the delivery of comprehensive services and ensure continuity of care
Communicate effectively with patients, the pharmacy team, other health professionals and the public, including the provision of patient education
Contribute to quality control and support a culture of safety in practice

Program Admission Requirements

Academic Requirements

BC high school graduation or equivalent with 60% or higher in:

Biology 12
English Studies 12
Chemistry 11
Pre-Calculus 11 or Foundations of Math 12

English language proficiency: Applicants are required to submit documentation of one of the following as evidence of language proficiency:

Graduation from a high school in Canada with three consecutive first language English courses/credits
Language proficiency test results that meet the NAPRA Language Proficiency Requirement for licensure as a Pharmacy Technician in Canada
An undergraduate degree from a university in Canada whose instruction was provided in English

Additional Requirements

Criminal record check (CRC) from the BC Ministry of Justice
College Readiness Tool (CRT) Assessment
Applicant information questionnaire (found in application package)
Current computer skills, including knowledge/skill in navigating the internet, word processing, file management and email. Applicants are encouraged to complete the Computer Skills Self-Assessment.
Immunizations for health care workers as established by the BC Ministry of Health prior to starting practicum
WHMIS, Basic First Aid and CPR (C) completed prior to starting lab courses
Official transcripts from high school and all post-secondary institutions attended (mailed directly from the Ministry of Education and educational institutions)
Official transcripts, equivalence reports and English proficiency test results for internationally educated applicants

Qualified applicants are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Early application is recommended.

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. Before an application is considered complete, the following must be received by the Admissions Office:

a) Selkirk College Application Form

b) Official transcripts of high school grades (an interim statement of grades is acceptable if applicant is still attending school);

2. The Admissions Office will acknowledge receipt of application forms. Program seats will be offered on a first qualified, first served basis.

3. Fully qualified applicants will be offered admission based on application date.

4. Partially qualified applicants may be offered a conditional acceptance; an interim statement of grades will be used for the purposes of conditional acceptance. All program admission requirements must be met prior to starting program courses.

5. Once the seats have been filled, a waitlist will be created and maintained for 12 months after which applicants who are not admitted or have deferred a seat must reapply to affirm their continued interest in the program.

6. Applications must be received by February 1 and supporting documents by March 31.

Graduation and Promotion

PROMOTION

1. Eligibility for course registration for part time studies will be determined by course pre-requisite requirements.

GRADUATION

1. Credentials: In order to qualify for graduation with a Pharmacy Technician Diploma, a student must meet the following requirements:

In order to progress from one semester to the next, students are required to achieve a minimum of 80% in all published prerequisite courses (e.g., PTEC 126 Pharmacology I and PTEC 216 Pharmacology II).

Program Courses

Term 1

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Required courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
PTEC101	Introduction To Program & Online Learning For Success	1.00	30
PTEC102	Anatomy, Physiology and Medical Terminology	4.00	120
PTEC103	Introduction to Professional Practice	4.00	120
PTEC111	Interpersonal Communications in Pharmacy	3.00	90
PTEC117	Fundamentals of Product Distribution	4.00	120

Term 2

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Required courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
PTEC122	Pharmacy Calculations	4.00	120
PTEC123	Professional Practice II	3.00	90
PTEC126	Pharmacology I	4.00	120
PTEC127	Community Pharmacy Theory	3.00	90
PTEC128	Communications In Pharmacy II	3.00	90

Term 3

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Required courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
PTEC213	Transition to Professional Practice	2.00	60
PTEC216	Pharmacology II	4.00	120
PTEC217	Institutional Pharmacy Practice	3.00	90

Term 4

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Required courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
PTEC220	Technology for Product Distribution	2.00	60
PTEC221	Prescription Dispensing	2.00	60
PTEC223	Institutional Dispensing and Sterile Product Preparation	3.00	90
PTEC224	Non-Sterile Compounding	2.00	60

Term 5

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Required courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
PTEC230	Community Practicum	4.50	180
PTEC231	Institutional Practicum	4.50	180

Additional Program Policies

Effective Term: Fall

Effective Year: 20240801

Advanced Standing:

1. Application for advance or transfer credit must be made prior to entry into the program as per Policy 8614: Advanced Standing – Course Challenge, PLA, Transfer Credit and approval obtained from the Registrar.

2. A student who applies for advanced standing from another Pharmacy Technician Program will be considered on an individual basis.

3. A student who wishes to prove mastery of part or all of a course’s content must submit an application for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). The School Chair in consultation with program instructors will determine whether PLA credit is assigned.

Re-Entry Instructions:

1. Full time students who fail to successfully complete all courses in a given semester will be required to decrease to part time study. Normally, there is a waiting period of 12 months between offerings of the same course or semester.

2. Re-entry to the Pharmacy Technician Program is permitted only when seats are available. Applications for re-entry must be received six months in advance of the semester the student wants to re-enter.

3. Priority for re-entry will be given as follows:

a) Students in good standing who interrupted their program for illness or other personal reasons.

b) Students who failed to meet program requirements for promotion.

c) Students transferring from another program

4. Students must complete the entire program within 36 months of initial entry.

5. Students who have been required to withdraw from the program due to unsatisfactory performance may be readmitted with the approval of the School Chair in consultation with the program instructors.

Assessment:

a) Grading in theory and lab courses will be as per the Standard Pharmacy Technician Program Grading Table as defined in Selkirk College Policy 8612 – Grading.

b) Grading in practicum courses will be as per the Competency Based Grades as defined in Selkirk College Policy 8612 – Grading.

c) Students must achieve 86% or higher in the PTEC 122 Calculations midterm and final exams and all assignments to receive credit for the course.

d) Following semester two, students must achieve 100% in all assessments with mathematical calculations; one re-write per quiz is allowed.

Grading Table: Other

Grading Table: Both the Standard Pharmacy Technician and the Competency Based Grading tables will be used.

Types of Assessments:

a) Students are evaluated and graded in each theory course as indicated in the respective course outlines. This may include, but not limited to, exams, quizzes, written papers, discussion forums, individual and group projects.

b) Competency appraisals are used to assess competence in psychomotor skills in the lab.

c) In the practicum course, assessment occurs on a continual basis. All activities in which students participate may be considered assessment. Preceptors provide verbal and written feedback to the student and instructor; instructors are responsible for final assessment and assignment of CRG/NCG in the course.

Supplemental Assessment(s)

a) Supplemental exams and assessments are offered at the discretion of the instructor in consultation with the Program Coordinator and School Chair.

b) The maximum mark on a supplemental assessment cannot exceed 80% except for PTEC 122 requirements of 86%.

c) In PTEC 122 Pharmacy Calculations, one re-write will be offered for the mid-term and final exams for students who do not achieve 86% or higher on the first attempt.

d) Supplemental exams and assessments must be written within seven calendar days of the final examination date.

Examinations for Distance / Online Programs - as per the Pharmacy Technology Program Proctoring Guidelines and Agreement Form.

Attendance:

1. Attendance at all scheduled labs, practicums, and exams is mandatory.

2. Online courses are delivered asynchronously with published start and end dates. Participation in online learning activities as outlined in the course completion guides is required.

3. Absence from learning experiences may preclude the student being able to meet the learning outcomes for that course and in turn, progression to the next semester.

4. Students missing more than 10% of a practice experience may be required to repeat the course or complete extra hours at an additional cost to the student.

5. Students claiming illness or extenuating circumstances for absence from any learning experience must contact the associated instructor and / or the practice agency directly at least one hour prior to the scheduled start time.

6. Students may be required to supply a doctor's certificate to substantiate claims of illness.

Assignments:

1. Students are required to submit all written assignments on the date published in the course outline and communicated by the instructor.

2. When a student is unable to meet with the published deadline for an assignment, she or he must notify the instructor prior to the published due date and request an extension.

3. Extensions are granted at the discretion of the instructor in consultation with the individual student for extenuating circumstances. The student is expected to observe the negotiated due date. Further extension of the deadline without penalty may or may not be permitted by the instructor.

Professional Requirements:

1. Students are required to maintain a current CPR Level C certificate while enrolled in the program; re-certification is required every two years.

Other regulations:

A. PROBATION (See Policy 8619 Student Probation and Policy 3400 Student Code of Conduct))

1. Students may be placed on probation if they fail to adhere to the provincial Code of Ethics for Pharmacy Technicians and the Selkirk College Student Code of Conduct.

2. Students will be limited to two probation periods while enrolled in the PTEC program. Subsequent unacceptable behaviours / practice will result in required withdrawal.

B. REQUIRED WITHDRAWAL (See Policy 3400 Student Code of Conduct)

1. Breaches to confidentiality are grounds for dismissal from the program.