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Pharmacy Technician

Become a pharmacy technician, ready to work in community, hospital or long-term care pharmacies. Students in this full-time health program gain knowledge and skills relevant to the technical and clerical aspects of the pharmacy profession. The program includes a practicum in a community and hospital pharmacy and has been awarded Provisional Accreditation by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (July 2011 - June 2014).

If you know the admission requirements,

Find out more about this program:

Program Description Career Prospects Admission Requirements Program Status

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Program Description

This program is offered over three consecutive terms and includes theory, demonstrations and practice in a pharmacy lab setting. Students are assigned to a practicum in a community and hospital or long term care pharmacy. During the practicum, hours of attendance will vary and students must be prepared to travel to various locations in Metro Vancouver.

Classes are generally held Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (subject to change).

Topics covered include:

• Community pharmacy procedures
• Hospital pharmacy procedures
• Mathematical skills used in pharmacy
• Pharmaceutical products
• Compounding procedures
• Sterile product handling and aseptic techniques
• Computer skills, including specialized pharmacy software programs
• Communication skills
• Employment preparation

Start Length Credential Campus Part or Full‑time January 2013, September 2013, May 2014 30 weeks Certificate Broadway Full-time

Career Prospects

Graduates of the program find employment in hospital and community pharmacies.

Information about graduate outcomes

Admission Requirements

General

VCC welcomes applications from Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

As Vancouver Community College is a post-secondary institution committed to educating adult learners, applicants should be 18 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school.

Please note that you must submit official transcripts and educational documents to support your application; unfortunately, we cannot accept photocopies or fax versions.

Program Specific

Seats are offered to applicants who have met all admission requirements, on a first-qualified, first-served basis.

1. Grade 12 graduation,GED or equivalent, including Chemistry 11 and Biology 12 (Human Biology) with a C grade or greater or equivalent.
2. Proof of English language Proficiency, which includes a Canadian Language Benchmark of Listening 8, Speaking 8, Reading 8, and Writing 8.
3. Math 11 (Principles of Math) with a C+ grade or higher or successful completion of the VCC Health Sciences Math Assessment with an 80% grade or higher. Please see http://www.vcc.ca/assessments.
4. Certified five minute keyboarding test with a typing speed of 35 net words per minute or higher with a maximum of five errors. Students should expect to have achieved 50 wpm by the end of the program. See more information about keyboarding tests.
5. Basic computer or word processing skills verified by either an employer or resume outlining computer skills.
6. Criminal Record Search required. In accordance to the Criminal Records Review Act, all individuals who work with vulnerable adults and/or children must complete a Criminal Records Check through the Ministry of Justice. Access the Criminal Records Review PDF form to complete the review request. The form, with payment (no personal cheques), should be sent directly to the Solicitor General’s Office. The form will ask for the organization name: Vancouver Community College and the organization contact name: Niki Scarfo, Registrar's Office, ID Number 937836 for Dental, BScN, Tutoring ESOL programs and Kathy Andreatta, Registrar's Office, ID Number 113043 for all other VCC programs. Ensure you use your legal name and that you have applied at VCC under the same name. Employers of of pharmacy technicians require that applicants be eligible for bonding.
7. Upon acceptance students must provide proof of a negative TB skin test or chest X-Ray.

Recommended characteristics

• Excellent command of English including reading, listening, speaking and writing skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with people of all ages
• Ability to follow directions and to work independently
• Attentive to detail, accuracy and organization
• Ability to take initiative and handle responsibility
• Good vision and hand/eye coordination
• Good health with the ability to stand for a full working day
• Basic computer skills including email and Internet searches
• Flexibility to adjust to shift work during practicums

Program Status

Accepting applications (approximate 1 year waitlist)

VCC is accepting applications from international students.

Apply to this Program

The first step, apply early. Students who have officially applied and met all admission requirements are sent a letter of acceptance approximately four to five months before the next available start date. A first payment is required to reserve a seat in the program.

Online     Fax     In Person If you're ready and know the program you want, apply now. Download and complete the (PDF) application form and fax to 604.871.7458. Visit us at one of our campus locations.

After you apply, you can check your to see if all of the requirements have been met or to update contact information. Please use the temporary login ID and Personal Identification Number (PIN) that you used to complete your original online application.

Fees and Other Costs

Application Fee Tuition Fee $30.00 $2,590.08

Other Costs

Cost Type Details College initiative fee $74.56 Student union fee $75.54 Student union health plan fee $150.52 Student union dental plan fee $143.33 U-Pass $245 Other costs Material fees: $176.32 Textbooks, calculator and stationery: $500

Additional Information

For further information, please call 778.783.5050.

Health Requirements:

Applicants with a repetitive stress injury should contact the department regarding the physical requirements of this program and occupation.

Updated immunizations strongly recommended: measles, mumps, rubella, polio, tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis B vaccine and current influenza vaccination. Please review important health requirements for VCC health sciences students.

Courses