Learn to safely and accurately prepare and distribute pharmaceutical products, promote patient health, and communicate with health care professionals in a community or hospital pharmacy.
Pharmacy Technician
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Entrance award
September intake of this full-time program is eligible for financial award.
What you will learn
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Perform the role of a pharmacy technician within current legal, ethical and professional standards.
- Establish professional relationships with patients and healthcare providers in order to optimize pharmaceutical care.
- Prepare pharmaceutical products safely and accurately using a variety of distribution systems.
- Manage the practice setting effectively to ensure safe and efficient pharmacy services.
- Integrate health promotion and public health initiatives into pharmacy practice.
- Demonstrate the ability to access relevant information and apply knowledge to make evidence-informed decisions in pharmacy practice.
- Use effective communication and professionalism when providing to or collaborating with healthcare providers and patients.
- Establish and maintain collaborative intra- and inter-professional relationships.
- Develop, implement and evaluate quality assurance policies, procedures and activities to optimize patient safety.
What to expect
Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion
The Pharmacy Technician Program is 37 weeks of full-time study. Students must complete the certificate within two years of starting the program.
This program has been awarded Accreditation Status by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2029. CCAPP accreditation means that graduates of this program are eligible for direct admission into the Pharmacy Technician Qualifying Examination, which is a requirement to becoming a Registered Pharmacy Technician through the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia.
This program is offered on a full time basis. Each semester must be successfully completed before enrolling in the next semester. A major emphasis of this program is active student participation. Throughout the program the instructor will encourage the students to become increasingly more self directed and responsible for their own learning. Students are expected to come to class well prepared for active participation in classroom and lab activities.
Instructional activities include lectures, guided discussions, group work, audio-visual presentations, demonstrations, dispensing labs, compounding labs, aseptic technique labs, case studies, role rehearsals and field trips.
The lab component of the program provides the learner with the opportunity to integrate practice and theory in a simulated pharmacy setting.
Semester 1 focuses on community and long term care pharmacy practice. Semester 1 is 11 weeks in duration. Students must successfully complete all courses in Semester 1 before enrolling in Semester 2.
Semester 2 focuses on hospital pharmacy practice, including the preparation of sterile products. Semester 2 is 11 weeks in duration. Students must successfully complete all courses in Semester 2 before enrolling in Semester 3.
Semester 3 includes a practicum in a community and hospital pharmacy. Semester 3 is 10 weeks in duration.
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Admission requirements
Program-specific
- Grade 12 graduation or equivalent.
- English Language Proficiency at an English Studies 12 'B' level, as specified for the Pharmacy Technician Certificate program
- Foundations of Math 11 with a minimum 'C+' grade, or equivalent
- Chemistry 11 with a minimum 'C+' grade, or equivalent
- Anatomy & Physiology 12 with a minimum C+ grade, or equivalent
- Completion of the VCC Health Sciences Math Assessment scoring minimum 80%
Upon acceptance:
- Students must submit a negative TB test taken within 6 months of acceptance to the program. If the TB test is positive, a negative TB chest x-ray is required.
- Criminal Record Check (CRC). Students in this program are required to complete a CRC. The CRC must be completed according to VCC's Criminal Record Check instructions. Students whose CRC results indicate they pose a risk to vulnerable populations will not be able to complete the requirements of the program (e.g. practicums) or graduate.
- Immunization Record: A VCC School of Health Sciences Immunization Record must be completed.
- Immunizations in the following are strongly recommended:
- Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis
- Polio
- Measles, Mumps & Rubella
- Varicella (Chicken pox)
- Hepatitis B
- Influenza
- COVID-19
- Clinical facilities may decline individual students for their placement if a student is unable to provide proof of immunizations or satisfactory serum titers and TB screening.
- Immunizations in the following are strongly recommended:
General
- This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
- Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and other documents as required by their course or program. Seats are offered to eligible applicants with completed applications, in order of application completion date (except for programs with competitive admissions). A complete application includes an application form, evidence of educational pre-requisites (e.g. transcripts), any required supporting documents (e.g. language proficiency, audition video), and the required deposit or fee payment. If you do not meet the requirements for the term applied, your application may be cancelled.
Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.
Recommended Characteristics
- Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse client population
- Attentive to detail, accurate and organized
- Strong time management skills
- Efficient and productive
- Ability to take initiative and handle responsibility
- Ability to concentrate and problem solve
- Good vision and hand/eye coordination
- Proficient in basic computer skills
- 40 WPM touch typing keyboarding speed is recommended [Required prior to September 2025]
- Ability to work varied shifts during practicums (e.g. evenings, weekends)
- Attending a Program Information Session is strongly recommended
Courses *
Classes are held on campus Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Practicum hours are an exception. Students will be advised of their practicum hours once they are registered and attending the program.
Prior learning assessment and recognition
Prior learning assessment and recognition is not available for this program.
| Term One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| PHAR 1101 | Professional Practice 1 | 4.5 |
| PHAR 1102 | Pharmacology & Therapeutics 1 | 3 |
| PHAR 1103 | Pharmacy Calculations 1 | 1.5 |
| PHAR 1104 | Pharmacy Communications 1 | 1.5 |
| PHAR 1105 | Pharmacy Management 1 | 1.5 |
| PHAR 1106 | Community Pharmacy | 7.5 |
| Credits | 19.5 | |
| Term Two | ||
| PHAR 1201 | Professional Practice 2 | 2 |
| PHAR 1202 | Pharmacology & Therapeutics 2 | 3 |
| PHAR 1203 | Pharmacy Calculations 2 | 1 |
| PHAR 1204 | Pharmacy Communications 2 | 1.5 |
| PHAR 1205 | Pharmacy Management 2 | 1.5 |
| PHAR 1206 | Hospital Pharmacy | 7 |
| PHAR 1207 | Sterile Products | 3 |
| PHAR 1208 | Practicum Preparation | 1.5 |
| Credits | 20.5 | |
| Term Three | ||
| PHAR 1309 | Pharmacy Practicum | 13 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Total Credits | 53 | |
This guide is intended as a general guideline only. The college reserves the right to make changes as appropriate.
* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.
Fees and other costs *
| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 36 | |
| Tuition Tuition | 10201 | |
| Student union | 192 | |
| College initiative | 151 | |
| Materials | 365 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 205 | |
| Laundry | 0 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| Medical and Dental | 275 | |
| Temporary Medical Insurance | 0 | |
| U-PASS | 354 | |
| Graduation | 45 | |
| Program-specific extra fees | 0 | |
| Total |
* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a $300 non-refundable deposit.
Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.
Apply now
Are you interested in this program? Check When to Apply for application dates.
Intakes for this program alternate each year. One year, the program is offered in the January (winter) and September (fall) terms. The next year, the program is offered only in the May (spring) term. Upcoming intakes will follow this pattern: January 2023, September 2023, May 2024, January 2025, September 2025.
If English is your second language and you are required to complete the IELTS test for proof of English proficiency you may wish to take one of our test prep courses. Apply for CELBAN/IELTS Test prep via EducationPlannerBC.
Get started
Attend an Information Session
Meet instructors, ask questions, and tour our facilities.
Entrance award
September intake of this full-time program is eligible for financial award.