Pharmacy Technician Diploma

Applicants are required to have either a MAC or PC laptop that meet the following specifications: 

Apple Laptop  

Minimum Requirement:   

• MacBook Air with 1.6 GHz dual-core Intel i5 processor, 128 GB storage solid state, 4 Gb memory 

• Web camera (built in or as peripheral)  

• Microphone 

Windows Laptop  

Minimum Requirement:   

• Laptop with a 2.6 GHz dual-core Intel i5 processor, 128 GB storage, 4 Gb memory and Windows 10 operating system 

• Web camera (built in or as peripheral)  

• Microphone 

Software:   

Latest version of Adobe Flash, Google Chrome browser, *Microsoft Word. 

*Microsoft Word is used for several purposes. Students can either purchase and install the Microsoft Word application or install the free software client to use a Red Deer Polytechnic virtual desktop with the full Microsoft Office Suite of applications. 

Students should possess basic computing skills and have the ability to use word processing software. 

Students will be required to successfully complete a keyboarding assessment and obtain at least 30 wpm. Testing will be provided at RDP. Students must pass this assessment by December 1 of their first year of studies in the program as this is a prerequisite for the second term of studies. Students should begin preparing for this assessment upon admission to the program. 

Admission into a CCAPP-accredited pharmacy technician program should be limited to candidates who provide documentation of one of the following as evidence of language proficiency: 

The following tests and scores may be accepted as evidence of language proficiency. Applicants must complete all four subtests in a single testing session of any approved test and achieve passing scores for each. The minimum passing scores are as follows: 

OR: 

• Graduation from a high school, CEGEP (general and professional teaching college in Quebec), community college, private career college or university program located in Canada, if the program was of at least three years’ duration and was provided in the language required for licensure, with successful completion of three consecutive, English language courses. Second language or additional language courses are not acceptable as evidence. 

OR: 

• Graduation from a CCAPP accredited pharmacist education program located in Canada, a CCAPP accredited pharmacy technician program within Canada whose language proficiency requirements match the requirements, or an ACPE accredited pharmacist education program located in the United States that was instructed in English. 

For more information, please consult the NAPRA Language Proficiency Requirement Policy released by the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities.

Note: Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency in addition to the program admission requirements.
 

Students with Study Permits that are admitted to a program that has a practicum or clinical placement in childcare, primary/secondary school teaching or health service field occupations must complete their Medical Authorization as required by Citizenship and Immigration Canada one month prior to the start of classes. 

Due to the rapidly changing nature of pharmacy and health care, students must complete both practicum courses within one academic year of completing the other required courses. Students unable to meet this timeline may have to repeat courses as deemed necessary. Practicum courses are designed to be completed on a full-time basis due to the number of required hours in each practicum block.

Practicum Expenses - The RDP Pharmacy Technician diploma program includes a 4-week (160 hours) community pharmacy practicum placement and a 5-week (200 hours) hospital pharmacy practicum placement. Practicum expenses can vary depending on the practicum location. Minimum costs will be room and board, relocation costs, and travel to and from the workplace. You will require appropriate clothing or uniform attire for working with the public in a professional setting. 

Practicum Travel - While every effort is made to consider student preferences for practicum location, due to practicum availability students may be required to travel to locations outside of their preferences in the province of Alberta in order to complete practicum courses. In extreme circumstances, the institution may need to delay completion of a practicum placement until a suitable placement becomes available. 

Physical Requirements: 

• Good manual dexterity and eyesight
• Ability to stand and sit for long periods of time
• Ability to lift items up to 10 kilograms
• Ability to to work well in stressful and busy situations, both alone and with others

If you have any concerns about these requirements, please talk to the program faculty.

Sterile/Aseptic Compounding:

• Sterile/Aseptic compounding requires compliance with the requirements set forth by the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) standards for pharmacy compounding of sterile preparations. 
  • These standards have specific requirements for garments and restrictions on personal adornments including, but not limited to:
    • jewelry, makeup, nails, permanent tattoos, and piercings
      • students must comply with these standards in order to perform sterile compounding both in their sterile course and in their practicum placement
• Sterile compounding also requires significant hand dexterity and the ability to work with the hands for extended periods of time. 

If you are concerned about these requirements, please contact program faculty as not meeting these standards will hinder your ability to complete the program successfully.   

Health & Safety Requirements: 

Health workers are responsible to attain and maintain required health and safety certifications and maintain recommended immunization standards. 

For clinical and practicum placements, as a student of a Health program, you also are required to meet these standards of practice. 

These health and safety requirements do not need to be submitted as part of your application. However, failure to submit the required documents will affect your progression in your chosen program. 

View further details about health & safety requirements for work-integrated learning (clinical and practicum) placements, including document submission deadlines, by clicking below. 

Students presenting courses from other recognized post-secondary institutions may be granted transfer credit towards the Pharmacy Technician program, visit our Recognition of Prior Learning and Transfer Credit page to learn more.

The Pharmacy Technician Diploma program recognizes the need to facilitate access to post-secondary education for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners. To increase participation of Indigenous Peoples the program has designated three (3) seats for qualified applicants who are First Nations, Metis, or Inuit.  After June 1 for the Fall term and October 1 for the Winter term unallocated seats will be released to qualified applicants on the waitlist if one exists for the program. 

Indigenous applicants must meet the admission requirements for the program as outlined in the Academic Calendar and qualify for a designated seat by: 

• Self-identifying as an Indigenous applicant on the Application for Admission. 
• Providing proof of Indigenous ancestry

 Proof of Indigenous ancestry (one of the following): 

• Certified copy of a Status or Treaty card, Metis membership card, Nunavut Trust Certificate card, roll number or any other proof accepted by Inuit communities. 
• Proof that an ancestor’s name has been entered in the Indian Register according to the Indian Act, band list of an individual band, or the Inuit roll. 
• Written confirmation of Indigenous ancestry from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. 
• Statutory Declaration by an applicant attesting to Aboriginal ancestry with supporting documentation. 

Other forms of proof may also be considered at the discretion of the Registrar.