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Pharmacy Technician

CREDENTIAL: Certificate
START DATES
START DATES
May 2024
January 2025

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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.


VCC Pharmacy Technician program mission statement:

to prepare students to become competent registered pharmacy technicians

Tuition: 10201*
Credential: Certificate
Length: 37 0 weeks
Hours: Full-time
Delivery: Class-based
Program Flyer: Download
Campus: Broadway Broadway
Start Dates: Jan, May, Sep
 
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INFORMATION SESSION

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ENTRANCE AWARDS

September intake of this full-time program is eligible for financial award.

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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

This program has been awarded Accreditation Status by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) for a five-year term: July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2024. 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.

Campus virtual tour

Explore labs and classrooms at VCC's Health Sciences building

campus virtual tour of Broadway campus, Building B

Admission requirements

Program-specific

  • Grade 12 graduation or equivalent.* 
  • Chemistry 11 or equivalent with a minimum C+ grade completed within the last ten years
  • Biology 12 or equivalent with a minimum C+ grade completed within the last ten years
  • Completion of the VCC Health Sciences Math Assessment scoring minimum 80%
  • Certified keyboarding speed of minimum 40 net words per minute with a maximum of 5 errors
  • Attend a Program Information Session
  • English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement:
    1. Applicants who have completed three years of full-time, face-to-face secondary or post-secondary education at an accredited Canadian institution where English is the language of instruction must achieve the following scores on VCC’s Adult Basic Education (ABE) Assessments:
      • Reading           60
      • Writing ENGL 0991 level

        *NOTE: The VCC Adult Basic Education Assessment is not currently available. Please see the English Language Proficiency Requirements for the Pharmacy Technician program for information on alternate options that are being accepted on a temporary basis.

    2. Applicants who have NOT completed three years of full-time, face-to-face secondary or post-secondary education at an accredited Canadian institution where English is the language of instruction must achieve the following scores on  the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) OR the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Scores are valid for 2 years only.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Internet-based test (iBT)

  • Speaking        23
  • Writing            25
  • Reading          22
  • Listening         21

Total: 91

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test only

  • Speaking         7.0
  • Writing             7.0
  • Reading           6.5
  • Listening          7.5

Overall Band: 7.0

*Grade 12 graduation or equivalent is a requirement mandated by the Canadian Council for the Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP).

Note: For applicants who have NOT completed three years of full-time, face-to-face secondary or post-secondary education at an accredited Canadian institution, the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) and the College of Pharmacists of BC only accepts the TOEFL and IELTS as proof of English Language Proficiency. No other evidence, including completion of VCC coursework or other studies in English outside of Canada, or VCC’s English Language Assessment will be accepted.

Upon acceptance:

•        Proof of a negative TB skin test or chest X-ray

•        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. 

•        Up-to-date immunizations are highly recommended, and are required for practicum placements.

Program-specific

  • Grade 12 graduation or equivalent.* 
  • Chemistry 11 or equivalent with a minimum C+ grade completed within the last ten years
  • Biology 12 or equivalent with a minimum C+ grade completed within the last ten years
  • Completion of the VCC Health Sciences Math Assessment scoring minimum 80%
  • Certified keyboarding speed of minimum 40 net words per minute with a maximum of 5 errors
  • Attend a Program Information Session
  • English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement:
    1. Applicants who have completed three years of full-time, face-to-face secondary or post-secondary education at an accredited Canadian institution where English is the language of instruction must achieve the following scores on VCC’s Adult Basic Education (ABE) Assessments:
      • Reading           60
      • Writing ENGL 0991 level
    2. Applicants who have NOT completed three years of full-time, face-to-face secondary or post-secondary education at an accredited Canadian institution where English is the language of instruction must achieve the following scores on  the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) OR the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Scores are valid for 2 years only.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Internet-based test (iBT)

  • Speaking        23
  • Writing            25
  • Reading          22
  • Listening         21

Total: 91

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test only

  • Speaking         7.0
  • Writing             7.0
  • Reading           6.5
  • Listening          7.5

Overall Band: 7.0

*Grade 12 graduation or equivalent is a requirement mandated by the Canadian Council for the Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP).

Note: For applicants who have NOT completed three years of full-time, face-to-face secondary or post-secondary education at an accredited Canadian institution, the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) and the College of Pharmacists of BC only accepts the TOEFL and IELTS as proof of English Language Proficiency. No other evidence, including completion of VCC coursework or other studies in English outside of Canada, or VCC’s English Language Assessment will be accepted.

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. 
  • Up-to-date immunizations are highly recommended, and are required for practicum placements.

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
  • Ability to work varied shifts during practicums (e.g. evenings, weekends)

Courses *

Program general hours

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.

Fees and other costs *

Tuition Deposit

0 (0 non-refundable)

Tution deposits are payable usually within two (2) weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued.

Fee descriptionFee AmountNotes
Application fee36
Tuition Tuition 10201
Student union192
College initiative151
Materials365 not including textbooks
Campus resource205
Laundry0
Tools (deposit)0
Coverall (deposit)0
Uniform (deposit)0
Medical and Dental 275
Temporary Medical Insurance 0
U-PASS 354
Graduation45
Program-specific extra fees0
Total
Textbooks or other supplies may be required for this program. For information and prices, visit the VCC Bookstore.

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MAIL
Fill out a PDF form and mail to:
VCC Registrar's Office
1155 East Broadway
Vancouver, B.C., V5T 4V5
ATTEND AN
INFORMATION SESSION

Meet instructors, ask questions, and tour our facilities. Sign up now
 

ENTRANCE AWARDS

September intake of this full-time program is eligible for financial award.

Learn more

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