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 (Diploma)
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What you will learn
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate the role of a pharmacy technician within legal requirements while upholding professional standards of practice and the College of Pharmacists of BC's Code of Ethics.
- Establish and maintain professional relationships with patients, healthcare providers, and pharmacy team members, using clear and respectful communication to optimize patient care.
- Accurately prepare and check pharmaceutical products using a variety of distribution systems to ensure their safe distribution to patients.
- Demonstrate leadership and management skills by overseeing pharmacy operations and optimizing workflows to ensure efficient delivery of safe and high-quality pharmacy services.
- Demonstrate the application of health promotion activities for patients and the public within pharmacy practice to enhance community health and well-being.
- Access, evaluate, and apply relevant information and research to make evidence-informed decisions to enhance patient care.
- Collaborate with members of the intra- and inter-professional health teams to facilitate the delivery of comprehensive services and promote continuity of patient care.
- Establish and maintain quality assurance policies and procedures to optimize patient safety and foster a culture of safety in pharmacy practice.
- Provide culturally safe, person-centered care that recognizes and respects the uniqueness of each individual and is sensitive to cultural humility, cultural safety, and diversity.
What to expect
Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion
The Pharmacy Technician Diploma Program is one year (12 months) of full-time study. The maximum time to complete the program is four (4) years from the start of the program.
Instructional activities include lectures, discussions, group work, audio-visual presentations, demonstrations, dispensing labs, compounding labs, aseptic technique labs, case studies, role-plays, 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.
The program emphasizes meaningful engagement and students will be expected to contribute to classroom discussions, online forums, and lab-based activities. Instructors will foster a learning environment that encourages safe and respectful participation. Throughout the program, the instructor will encourage and support students in becoming increasingly more self-directed and responsible for their own learning.
Admission requirements
Program-specific
- Grade 12 graduation or equivalent.
- English Studies 12 with a minimum 'B' grade, or equivalent as specified for the Pharmacy Technician program
- One of the following:
- Foundations of Math 12 with a minimum ‘C+’ grade, or equivalent
- Pre-Calculus 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
- VCC Health Sciences Math Assessment with a minimum 80%
Upon acceptance:
- Students must submit a negative tuberculosis (TB) skin test or chest X-ray dated a maximum of six months prior to the program start date. An additional TB test is required after each potential exposure to TB and/or travel to areas with a known prevalence of TB.
- 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 School of Health Sciences Student Immunization Record must be completed. Students may be declined placement in a clinical or practicum site if a completed immunization record is not provided.
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.
Program Considerations
- Program tasks require precise hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills for measuring medications and preparing sterile products.
- Program tasks require extended periods of standing during laboratory work and practicum placements.
- Program tasks require visual distinction of fine details and small print.
- Practicum placements can require variable work schedules, including evening and weekend shifts.
- Learning environment involves potential exposure to pharmaceutical ingredients that may cause allergic reactions or sensitivities during practicum placements.
Courses *
Prior learning assessment and recognition
Prior learning assessment and recognition is not available for this program.
| Term One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| PHAR 1100 | Professional Practice for Pharmacy Technicians 1 | 6 |
| PHAR 1102 | Pharmacology for Pharmacy Technicians 1 | 3 |
| PHAR 1103 | Pharmaceutical Calculations 1 | 1.5 |
| PHAR 1104 | Communications for Pharmacy Technicians 1 | 1.5 |
| PHAR 1105 | Management for Pharmacy Technicians 1 | 1.5 |
| PHAR 1106 | Community Pharmacy | 7.5 |
| Credits | 21 | |
| Term Two | ||
| PHAR 1206 | Hospital Pharmacy | 7 |
| PHAR 1207 | Sterile Products | 3 |
| PHAR 2100 | Professional Practice for Pharmacy Technicians 2 | 3 |
| PHAR 2110 | Pharmacology for Pharmacy Technicians 2 | 3 |
| PHAR 2115 | Pharmaceutical Calculations 2 | 1.5 |
| PHAR 2120 | Communications for Pharmacy Technicians 2 | 1.5 |
| PHAR 2130 | Management for Pharmacy Technicians 2 | 1.5 |
| Credits | 20.5 | |
| Term Three | ||
| PHAR 2230 | Non-Prescription Medications and Complementary Therapies | 1.5 |
| PHAR 2240 | Career Development and Licensing Preparation | 1.5 |
| PHAR 2250 | Non-Sterile Compounding Lab | 2 |
| PHAR 2260 | Pharmacy Practicum Preparation | 1.5 |
| PHAR 2265 | Pharmacy Technician Practicum | 13 |
| Credits | 19.5 | |
| Total Credits | 61 | |
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 *
The tuition for this program is changing. Please see the details below.
Full program tuition rates:*
- January 2027 through December 2027: $14,297
- January 2028 through December 2028: $18,353
- January 2029 and onward: 2% increase annually
Other costs as of 2027 (these costs may increase annually):
- Application fee: $36
- Student Union: $217
- College initiative: $185
- Materials (not including textbooks): $450
- Campus resource: $360
- Medical and Dental: $285
- U-PASS: $563
- Graduation: $45
- Total other costs: $2,141
*Effective January 2027, the VCC Board of Governors approved tuition fees of $18,352.92 for the Pharmacy Technician Diploma program. However, the increase will be introduced in stages, and VCC will waive a portion of the fees in 2027/28 and 2028/29. The waivers are as follows:
- 2027/28: $18,352.92 total tuition - $3,696.06 waiver = $14,297 tuition
- 2028/29: $18,352.92 total tuition (no waiver)
* 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 non-refundable deposit ($300 or $500, depending on program).
Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.
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Info Week at VCC
Join us online or in-person for our info sessions, April 20-24.