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Continuing Studies
ufv.ca/cs
Community Pharmacy Technician certificate
Note: This program is not available in 2013/14. Please contact 604-851-6324 for details.
The Community Pharmacy Technician certificate program provides students with
the knowledge and skills necessary to find employment as a pharmacy technician.
Students will gain knowledge of:
• The history, law, and ethics of pharmacy practice in Canada
• Pharmaceutical mathematics
• Prescription preparation
• Recordkeeping
• Inventory management
• Home health products
• Compounding techniques
• Communication skills including customer relations and drug information
retrieval skills
• Elementary pharmacology, physiology, and anatomy job search skills
The training program is offered over nine months as a part-time program on
Saturdays. Theory components must be successfully completed prior to practicum
placement.
A practicum is required upon completion of the program.
Entrance requirements
1. Successful completion of Grade 12 or equivalent (please attach copy of
transcript).
2. Grade 10 Math and Grade 11 Science: Biology or Chemistry (please attach
copy of transcript).
3. Strong oral and written knowledge of English.
4. A CPT (composition placement test) score of 48 or better or successful
completion of ESL course level 80 English may be required.
5. Typing speed of 30 wpm (attach copy of certification).
6. Completion of an introductory computer course or equivalent experience.
7. A 500-word written statement outlining your reasons for taking the
program.
8. A personal interview with the course instructor.
9. Personal suitability.
10. Good health.
11. Must be bondable. (Must submit a criminal record check prior to being
placed in practicum)
Program objectives
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
• Demonstrate appropriate knowledge and understanding of pharmacy's role in
the health care industry
• Demonstrate thorough knowledge and understanding of the duties and
responsibilities of pharmacy technicians, including standards of ethics
governing pharmacy practice
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of the pharmaceutical and medical terms,
abbreviations, and symbols commonly used in the prescribing, dispensing, and
administering of medications
• Perform the mathematical calculations required for the usual dosage
determinations
• Perform the essential functions relating to drug purchasing and inventory
control
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of drug dosages, routes of administration, and
drug delivery systems
• Perform the manipulative and recordkeeping functions associated with the
dispensing of prescriptions including the completion of third-party insurance
claim forms
• Perform the essential patient functions on the three most commonly used
computer pharmacy
systems
• Demonstrate appropriate knowledge and understanding of the purchase and retail
sale of home health products available in community pharmacies
• Communicate effectively in the workplace
• Use job-search skills.
Working conditions and personal skills and
attributes
Community pharmacy technicians are often required to work shifts and/or
weekends and holidays. Furthermore, many pharmacy technician positions remain
open in communities outside British Columbia's Lower Mainland due to a shortage
of trained personnel.
Therefore, recommended skills or attributes of applicants include:
• Flexibility in job placement and work schedule.
• Good communication and people skills.
• Good physical health and coordination.
• St. John First Aid and/or CPR certificate.
When to apply
This program is not accepting applications for 2013/14.
How to apply
1. Fill out a UFV Application for Admission form (available at ufv.ca/admissions/admissions/apply).
2. Fill out a Continuing Studies additional application form (available at ufv.ca/admissions/forms).
3. Attach your written statement explaining why you would like to be a
community pharmacy technician.
4. Attach all documentation and submit the completed application package to
the Continuing Studies office in Abbotsford.
5. You may be required to take a composition placement test and/or a math
placement test.
6. Once advised of acceptance to the program, you may register.
Financial aid
For more information, contact the Financial Aid and Awards office at either the
Abbotsford or Chilliwack campus. There are also a variety of bursary
applications available from the Financial Aid and Awards offices.
Student evaluation
Students will be evaluated for each course in the program on classroom
participation, classroom assignments, study projects, practica, and by
examination. You must maintain a grade percentage of 75% and an attendance
record of 90%. All theory components must be successfully completed prior to
practicum placement
Note: In PHAR 03 (Pharmaceutical Technology), you must obtain
100%.
Challenge policy
Students challenging components are required to pay the full tuition fee for
that section prior to examination. (Based on UFV's Course Challenge policy.)
Workload
In addition to classroom activities, students will be required to research,
study and prepare assignments outside of class for approximately three to four
hours per week.
Schedule of courses
All classes will be held on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Program runs
September—July. Students will be required to attend lab sessions at the
University of British Columbia.
Course descriptions
Introduction to Community Pharmacy Practice
(PHAR1)
This course familiarizes students with the role of the pharmacy, pharmacists,
and pharmacy technicians in the health care system. Topics include history, law,
ethics, and the basic concepts and terms in the practice.
Introduction to the Health Sciences (PHAR2)
An introductory class which examines the anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology
and pharmacology of the human body. Students will learn the names of the
most-used pharmaceutical agents including brand names, generic names,
therapeutic classification, dosage forms and strengths, recordkeeping, and
special storage.
Pharmaceutical Technology (PHAR3)
This course will provide students with the technical skills to perform as a
pharmacy technician. The course will provide the mathematical skills required
for the compounding and dispensing of pharmaceutical products that are taught in
the laboratory component of this course.
Community Pharmacy Practice (PHAR4)
This course provides students with the information and skills necessary to
fulfil the specialty functions of a community pharmacy technician. Topics
include third-party billing, inventory management, computer systems, and home
health products.
Professional Development (PHAR5)
Interpersonal skills are essential in your role as a pharmacy technician as
you communicate with other health care providers and the public. This course
describes principles and elements of communication, types of communication,
barriers to communication, and practical communication skills.
Practicum (PHAR6)
The practicum provides students with an opportunity to apply their newly
acquired knowledge and skills in a workplace setting.
For more information
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