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Diploma Program

Pharmacy Technician

Diploma

43 weeks

Qualified Instructors

This program can be offered at the campus(es) below. Please contact the campus of your choosing for program availability and delivery methods.

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In Person (On Campus)

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Distance (Online)

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Increase Your Income Potential -Qualify for a Pharmacy Technician Salary

CDI College's Pharmacy Technician diploma program is accredited by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) and prepares students for successful careers in community and hospital pharmacies by providing training in compounding, dispensing, pharmacy mathematics, drug and body interactions, and pharmacy software programs.

  • ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
  • PHARMACOLOGY
  • PHARMACEUTICAL CALCULATIONS
  • PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
  • FIRST AID & CPR
  • PHARMACY SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS
  • COMPOUNDING
  • ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE
  • COMMUNITY AND INSTITUTIONAL PHARMACY
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Approved & Designated 

This program is approved by the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of British Columbia. CDI College is designated by the Education Quality Assurance (EQA).

Program Intro Background

Program Courses

Student Success Strategies

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This course will introduce students to skills and concepts that will help them achieve personal, academic, and career success.


• Personality Styles
• Goal Setting
• Time Management
• Stress Management
• Study Skills
• Communication Skills/ Conflict Management

Career and Employment Strategies

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This course builds on the skills learned in the Student Success Strategies course or its equivalent. It provides information on how to use the communication skills learned in order to make a successful presentation to a prospective employer. Students also learn how to uncover the hidden job market and identify employment opportunities. Self-assessment during this course allows students to identify their personal skills that are transferable to the work place and to describe these skills to a prospective employer. Students may be videotaped during a mock interview and will participate in the analysis of their performance in the “interview”.

Anatomy and Physiology

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This course provides students with an opportunity to discover and understand the basic Anatomy and Physiology of the body systems and to give them the knowledge of various disease states of the body and how pharmaceutical drugs may affect them.
Students are introduced to the basic anatomy and physiology of the major body systems and their components. They are made aware of how a body and its multiple parts function together by working as one unit. They are introduced to the effects that disease states have on the body whether they are viral, fungal, bacterial, hormonal or other and will begin to understand the role that medications play in treatment.

Introduction to Pharmacy

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This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the pharmacy profession, the role of the Canadian Pharmacy Organization, Standards of Practice, legislation, and ethical best practices and what it means to be a healthcare professional.

Fundamentals of Pharmacology

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This course is designed to introduce the student to the fundamental concepts of pharmacology, dosage formulations, routes of drug administration, and OTC medications. It will enable the student to understand the role of drugs in individualized patient care and will introduce the student to the recognition and association of generic and trade names of common and/or important medications in community and hospital pharmacy practice. Students will learn various mechanisms of drug action and understand pharmacokinetic processes that affect drug/body interaction. They will learn the procedure for administration of pharmacologic agents as well as learning to identify major drugs by drug class. Students will know drug indications, therapeutic uses, side effects, administration routes, and common dosages.

Pharmaceutical Calculations

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This course is designed to provide students with the mathematical skills needed in the preparation of prescription products in a pharmacy setting. The course will allow the student to become familiar with different systems of weights and measures, methods of expressing strengths, dosage calculations, compounding calculations, accurate fluid measurement, and basic principles of pharmacy business math.

Inter and Intra Professional Skills

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This course will help students develop their teamwork skills and gain a better understanding of the role of the pharmacy technician as a member of the health care team. The course will serve to improve student’s critical thinking skills and broaden their knowledge of patient care communications. Students will have the opportunity to interact with students and faculty from other health profession programs as well as other members of health care providers including pharmacists, nurses and other health care professionals. Students will gain the knowledge, skills, and values required to work with other health care professionals through a collaborative learning approach within and across their disciplines.

Jurisprudence

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Jurisprudence is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the legislation and standards that govern the pharmacy profession.
This course will introduce the student to the important role that they will play in a career as a Pharmacy Technician. They will also become familiar with provincial and federal laws, regulations, standards of practice and ethical principles.

First Aid/ CPR /Medical Emergencies

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This comprehensive course includes everything covered in Emergency First Aid and CPR as well as a wide range of other first aid topics that will provide participants with advanced knowledge and skills required to prevent further injury.
** This course is taught by a St. John’s Ambulance or Red Cross certified trainer. There is both an online and in-person component to this module. **

Pharmacy Software Applications

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This course will review the use of Kroll®, a pharmacy software in dispensing medications. Students will become familiar with the various features of the software. Students will be able to enter the required information for patient profiles and look up particular patient profiles. Students will also be able to create new drug files or update existing drug files and doctor information, adjust and add third-party billing information and learn the theory of adjudicating a prescription. Students will also practice and learn the principles of prescription filling, starting with prescription verification to dispensing to the patient.

Community Pharmacy

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Community Pharmacy will teach dispensing procedures commonly used in the community pharmacy settings with an emphasis on the pharmacy technician’s role. Students will be familiarized to dispensing procedures commonly encountered in a community pharmacy setting.


Students will learn and work on the technical duties of a community pharmacy so that the pharmacist is available primarily for clinical patient care. The student will learn how to fill a prescription in a laboratory setting from intake of the prescription to dispensing. Pharmacy equipment and dispensing techniques will be explained, demonstrated and practiced in the lab. Students will learn how to utilize key aspects of the pharmacy technician’s role in the community pharmacy, including but not limited to, receiving a verbal prescription, counselling on medical devices and patient interviewing.

Compounding

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Students will become proficient at preparing pharmaceutical preparations and doing the necessary documentation to meet and maintain current standards.


The student will review and practice the various mixing techniques and standards of commercial manufacturing and learn the necessity of compounding. The student will become proficient at the use of balances to accurately weigh ingredients to compound. A variety of dosage forms will be reviewed with emphasis being placed on the knowledge that is needed to accurately prepare compounds. The student will be expected to calculate, measure, and weigh various compounding ingredients. Proper and timely cleaning and maintenance of compounding equipment will be stressed.

Aseptic Technique and Sterile Products

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This course is designed to provide students with a chance to learn the basic principles of microbiology and the reasons why reducing microbial contamination in a pharmacy are necessary. Students will learn how to control microbial contamination by using both chemical and physical means. Students will learn basic principles of infection control. Students will also learn aseptic techniques in preparation of pharmaceutical products. Students will be introduced to basic microbes such as bacteria (pathogenic and non-pathogenic), viruses and fungi and the diseases they cause.

Students will learn how to control microbial contamination in the pharmacy environment and apply these techniques and standards to the preparation of intravenous admixtures and parenteral hospital compounding. Students will become familiar with the equipment used in parenteral compounding such as vials, ampoules and needles. Students will learn how to manipulate these products and using the proper technique.

Institutional Pharmacy

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Students will learn the various types of drug distribution systems in hospitals and institutional settings and the procedure for managing drug inventory. Students will become familiar with the process of receiving drugs and record keeping, as well as the drug delivery systems that may be used in long-term care facilities. Students will be introduced to provincial formularies and central supply lists.

Final Review and Comprehensive Exam

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Students will write a series of final exam in the last week of the Pharmacy Technician program, prior to leaving from practicums. The examination will include both written and practical exams. The practical exam includes all skills taught throughout the program, including but not limited to compounding as well as an observed structure practical exam (OSPE).

Community Pharmacy Practicum

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Practicum (on-the-job) experience is an essential component of the Pharmacy Technician training experience. It provides real world practical training in a pharmaceutical setting, allowing the student to gain a better understanding of employer and customer needs and expectations. The practicum is divided into two components, five weeks of practicum in a community pharmacy setting and the four weeks in an institutional (hospital) pharmacy setting. Successful completion of both components is a mandatory criterion for graduation.

Institutional Pharmacy Practicum

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Practicum (on-the-job) experience is an essential component of the Pharmacy Technician training experience. It provides real world practical training in a pharmaceutical setting, allowing the student to gain a better understanding of employer and customer needs and expectations. The practicum is divided into two components, five weeks of practicum in a community pharmacy setting and the four weeks in an institutional (hospital) pharmacy setting. Successful completion of both components is a mandatory criterion for graduation.

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Admission

Benefits of this program

Employment Opportunities

  • Academic Requirements for Admissions:
    • High school graduation; or mature student status
    • Pass the college's admissions test
    • Successful completion of Biology 11, Chemistry 11, Math 11
    • English 12 or equivalent
    • Basic competency in computer literacy and basic keyboarding

 

  • Administrative Requirements for Admissions:
    • Interview with the campus director, program coordinator, or 
      designate
  • Qualification for Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) and the College of Pharmacists of BC
  • Real-world practicum experience
  • Industry-recognized skills and technologies
  • Industry-experienced instructors
  • Student-focused learning environment
  • One-on-one instruction
  • Six months of post-graduate career services support
  • Hospital Pharmacies
  • Community Pharmacies
  • Academic Requirements for Admissions:
    • High school graduation; or mature student status
    • Pass the college's admissions test
    • Successful completion of Biology 11, Chemistry 11, Math 11
    • English 12 or equivalent
    • Basic competency in computer literacy and basic keyboarding

 

  • Administrative Requirements for Admissions:
    • Interview with the campus director, program coordinator, or 
      designate
  • Qualification for Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) and the College of Pharmacists of BC
  • Real-world practicum experience
  • Industry-recognized skills and technologies
  • Industry-experienced instructors
  • Student-focused learning environment
  • One-on-one instruction
  • Six months of post-graduate career services support
  • Hospital Pharmacies
  • Community Pharmacies
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English Language Requirements

As approved by the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) and the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) and per the consensus statement by the Council of Pharmacy Registrars of Canada (CPRC), admission requires evidence of language proficiency.

Test Details Minimum Score
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Speaking

Writing

Reading

Listening

Total

23

25

22

21

91

Michigan Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) 

Speaking

Writing

Reading

Listening

Total

3+

80

83

80

81

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Speaking

Writing

Reading

Listening

Overall

6

6

6

6

6.5

The Canadian Test for English Scholars and Trainees (CanTEST)

Speaking

Writing

Reading

Listening

4.5

4

4.5

4.5

 

Industry Certifications

Gain a distinct advantage by earning industry-recognized certifications that validate your expertise and skills in key areas such as digital marketing, project management, and CRM. Our program prepares you to succeed, whether you're advancing, switching careers, or starting your own business. Invest in yourself and join a community of certified professionals shaping the digital economy.

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Industry Leading Employers

Our extensive network and reputation for excellence ensure that graduates are in high demand in today's competitive job market. Prepare to excel in sought-after roles with renowned companies and unlock limitless career opportunities. Elevate your career trajectory and secure your future with our program tailored to meet the demands of industry leaders.

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Hear From Our Graduates

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Classrooms have a lot of space and it's just like working in a pharmacy. I feel very welcomed and made some new friends. Teachers and staff are awesome.

Sandra T.

Pharmacy Program Graduate

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The healthcare programs at CDI College are definitely top-tier. The program coordinator and instructors are very passionate about students' growth and development. I am grateful to them for equipping me with the medical knowledge and technical skills to be an excellent student.

Tracy-Ann J.

Healthcare Program Graduate

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