The Thompson Career College offers a course for those interested in becoming a pharmacy technician. The Thompson Career College offers two options for students, one an eight-month on-campus program and the other a ten-month blended-learning program. The on-campus program is just that, with all courses offered in campus classrooms, while the blended-learning option has most courses offered online. According to the college, it is the first to be fully accredited by the Canadian Council for the Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs. This means that students graduating from either of their programs are eligible to take the national pharmacy technician exam, which debuted in 2010. Through classroom or on-line instruction and hands-on training students will develop skills in such areas as pharmacy practice, calculations, drugs and disease and communication. Those interested should contact the college to inquire about next available sessions as well as any prerequisites that may be required.
Thompson Career College
774 Victoria St.
Kamloops, BC V2C 2B6
250-372-8211
877-840-0888
[email protected]
thompsoncc.ca
Okanagan College offers a distance-education pharmacy technician certificate program in which classroom-based courses are offered online. Students learn through a variety of settings including online courses, labs to practice skills within a classroom setting, and practicums in a community or hospital pharmacy to give students hands-on experience. This is a 940-hour program which students must complete within two-and-a-half years. Courses include but are not limited to communications in pharmacy, computer skills, dispensing, legal issues and pharmacology. As of the 2009-2010 school year the total cost for the full program was about C$8,300. Those interested should contact the school for current tuition costs as well as admission requirements.
Okanagan College
Continuing Studies
1000 K.L.O. Rd.
Kelowna, BC V1Y 4X8
250-862-5480
888-638-0058 (in BC)
877-755-2266 (within Canada)
[email protected]
okanagan.bc.ca
Vancouver Community College offers courses including pharmacy practice, products, calculations, communications and sterile products within its pharmacy technician program. The program takes about six months to complete and is offered twice each year. It prepares students through classroom instruction as well as hands-on education in community and hospital pharmacies. There are some admission requirements including the ability to type 35 words per minute, basic computer skills, a math prerequisite and a criminal background check. Spaces in the program are limited so the college encourages those interested to apply in advance.
Vancouver Community College
1155 E. Broadway
Vancouver, BC V5T 4V5
604-871-7000
778-783-5050
vcc.ca