Diploma in Pharmacy Assistant — INTL
Length: 30 Weeks
Credential: Diploma
Program Delivery: Online
In-Class
Blended
Practicum: 4 Weeks
Intakes: Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring
Total Program Cost: CAD $16,500
Pharmacy Assistants work with pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to ensure patients receive the proper dosage of medication and are taken care of when they visit a pharmacy.
Pharmacy Assistants play an integral role in retail and institutional pharmacies. They mainly work with customers but also do some things behind the scenes. Pharmacy assistants communicate with customers and answer their questions over the phone and in person, as well as handle payment transactions and stock shelves with over-the-counter medication.
When they’re not helping customers, they’ll help pharmacists prepare prescribed medication by counting tablets or pills then packing and labeling them. Pharmacy assistants can also help patients handle third-party insurance claims.
You can take our 30-week pharmacy assistant program at Calgary campus or Online. One of the benefits of studying with us at City College is you’ll learn from experienced industry instructors in a fully-equipped pharmacy lab setting. You’ll get comfortable using the exact technology that you’ll see in a real work environment.
Our pharmacy assistant program will give you theory, lab and practicum training so you’ll be ready to hit the ground running in your new career. You’ll learn about Community and Institutional Pharmacy procedures so you’ll be equipped to work in a variety of pharmacy environments. We’ll also teach you the basic math calculations used in retail and hospital pharmacies.
And that’s not all—you’ll gain extensive knowledge in basic human anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and medical terminology so you’ll be able to identify the major drug classes used to treat different medical conditions. The combination of theoretical and practical training will set you up for success as you enter the workforce as a pharmacy assistant.
Over the length of this program, students:
Communication, Interpersonal and Customer Relations
This course teaches students the essential skills for basic professional interaction with clients.
Microsoft Office Applications & Keyboarding
This course equips students with the Microsoft Office skills needed to work in a fast-paced pharmacy or clinic environment. Students will build skills in keyboarding, internet use, and how to use all common Microsoft Office Suite applications including Excel, Outlook, and Word.
Community Pharmacy Practice
The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the retail pharmacy workplace. This course takes a practical view in educating the students on how to receive prescriptions and be efficient at problem solving. We will emphasize customer communication skills and body language. The course will also explore the importance of inventory management within the pharmacy. We intend to develop skills needed for being an efficient Pharmacy Assistant in a retail environment.
Pharmacy Compounding
This course will prepare students to develop the skills needed to prepare various pharmaceutical mixtures, creams, ointments, solutions and suspensions in this hands-on, practical course.
Microbiology and Sterile Preparation
This course teaches students preparation of sterile products.
Pharmaceutical Calculations
This course will prepare students to learn the calculations use in the pharmacy, including dosage calculations, expressions of strength and the apothecaries’ systems of measurement.
Anatomy and Physiology
The course teaches pharmacy assistant to have a brief idea of the body systems and how they work also students help them in understanding Pharmacology, and where and how medications act in the body.
Pharmacy Software-Kroll
This course teaches hands on learning using Kroll to optimize operations and enhance customer experience, improve processes with features such as Rx filling (patient, drug, doctor, and SIG), adjudication, label printing, inventory, accounts receivable, extensive reporting, audit trails.
Pharmacy Law & Ethics
This course will focus on helping students understand the role of the pharmacy assistant and their duties and responsibilities. The course will discuss specifically on the gradual stages of development in the pharmacy profession. We will also learn to differentiate among various workplace environments such as community and institutional. This course will also educate students on the Law and Ethics in the pharmacy workplace.
Pharmacology
This course provides concrete knowledge on different drugs, and focuses on a practical and applied approaches to Pharmacology. The primary focus is on the brand name and generic names of drugs, which is essential for a pharmacy assistant when working in the pharmacy. Knowledge on different classifications, look-alike and sound-alike drugs, and their adverse effects will help in reducing the duplication of medication from the same class and thus reducing dispensing errors.
Common Drugs & Uses
Use and support pharmacists dispensing medications, a wide-ranging knowledge of common drugs and uses for the choices and decisions that pharmacy assistants make throughout the workday in the pharmacy environment.
CPR & Exam Review
Student learns Basic Life Support CPR is the foundation for saving lives after cardiac arrest and to recognize cardiac arrest, activate the emergency response system, and respond confidently.
Career Preparation
This course teaches job search skills and helps students understand the labour market. It includes coaching in writing effective resumes and cover letters. Students also participate in mock interviews to correct and refine skills, increasing employment readiness.
Topics include
- Portfolios
- Job search strategies
- Resume and cover letter writing
- Mock interviews and retrospective reviews
- The role of social media in job hunting
Practicum
Students gain practical and hands-on experience to apply the knowledge and skills learned in class to real-world experiences in a professional capacity.
Most pharmacies require trained pharmacy assistants for their day-to-day operations. Graduates of our Express Pharmacy Assistant program can find employment at community pharmacies, healthcare facilities, clinics, pharmaceutical wholesalers, and laboratories.
Our graduates have found employment at numerous pharmacies, working for Alberta Health Services, community pharmacies, clinics, and businesses such as Safeway, Loblaws, Shoppers Drug Mart and Walmart.
For more information about the career of pharmacy assistant, visit alis’ pharmacy assistant career information page.
Program Admission Requirements for International Students
An applicant who is neither a Canadian citizen nor a landed immigrant is considered an International Student. An International Student must meet ALL of the following requirements to be considered for admission:
- Meet English Requirements: Because English is the language of instruction at City College, International Students must demonstrate their English language competence by submitting a letter from a College/University stating that student completed a Diploma, Certificate, Undergraduate Degree at a College or University in which English Language is the primary language of instruction.
- IQAS/WES: Students must submit the verified transcripts of international students who have received their High School Diploma/Grade 12/Secondary School Education outside of Canada, through International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) or World Education Services (WES) to be eligible for admissions.
- Students must have a minimum of a High School Diploma/Grade 12/Secondary School level of education.
- Students must be a minimum of 18 years of age prior to applying.
- English Language Proficiency Requirements: Completed within the last two years one of the following language proficiency tests with the marks listed below or higher:
| English Proficiency Test | Minimum English Proficiency Scores Accepted |
|---|---|
| TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language | IBT Overall: 80 |
| IELTS – International English Language Testing System (Academic) | Overall: 6 |
| CAEL – Canadian Academic English Language | Overall: 60 |
| PTE – Pearson Test of English Academic | Overall: 50 |
| MELAB – Michigan English Language Assessment Batter | Overall: 70 |
International Student Policies
City College is committed to adapting reasonable policies and procedures to ensure Students have the opportunity to successfully complete their studies. The College maintains a professional setting by assuring a safe, respectable, and fair environment for all Students and staff members. Students and Staff are required to support the academic and ethical standards of City College. Violation of Student policies may be subjected to suspension and/or expulsion under the conditions of inadequate performance and unacceptable actions.
Student Academic Policy
Students are expected to complete assignments in the time allowed by instructors. Assignments are to be completed individually. There is zero tolerance at City College regarding plagiarism/academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty or plagiarism will result in a zero result in the assignment or exam and may include suspension or termination from the program.
Student Expulsion Policy
City College has a zero-tolerance policy regarding academic dishonesty, the non-payment of tuition fees, harassment, and/or discrimination of any form.
Academic Dishonesty
Outstanding Fees
Failure to pay tuition or other fees due to the College is considered a debt to the college. Students may be expelled if fees are not paid after the College has provided a written warning.
Cheating, plagiarism, unapproved collaboration, alteration of records, bribery, falsification of information, use of aids that have not been expressly permitted by instructors, theft or solicitation of another Student’s assignments, paperwork, tests, or personal belongings, and intentionally attempting to assist another Student to commit any act of academic dishonesty.
Harassment or Discrimination
Harassment and discrimination is a serious offense, there is a zero tolerance policy at City College. Students are required to be respectful to their peers/instructors/staff. Students participating in harassment or discriminatory activities are subject to suspension under pending investigation. Expulsion will be automatic for any Student who will be deemed, after the result of the investigation, to have engaged in harassment or discriminatory activities.
Significant Omissions in Admissions Documentation
Students who knowingly misrepresent their personal information on their application forms are subject to immediate expulsion.
Academic Failure
Re-test are available for some courses. Please refer to your course syllabus regarding academic failure and re-write requirements. Programs offering re-test will only award the passing mark (70%) on the final transcript regardless of mark attained on the exam.
Practicum Placement
A Student who does not qualify in the classroom will not be sent out for Practicum in the designated program until all theory, lab, and exam requirements have been met.
Misuse of College Property
Students who damage, misuse, steal or otherwise use the property in a manner prohibited by common sense may be expelled and will be required to make restitution to the College.
Student Evaluation Policy
These Student Evaluation Policies cover topics in relation to academic progress, participation, homework, projects, course assignments, tests, quizzes, exams, make-up work, exam retakes, and graduation requirements.
Academic Progress and Grading System
All City College courses are divided into individual modules, and module durations vary based on course material. Final marks for a module are determined by varying combinations of Assignments, Quizzes, Midterms, and Final Exams.
Module Test Security
Under NO circumstances are Module Tests returned to the students. After the test is written and marked, Instructors will review the correct answers with the class. The tests are then retained in a locked file at the school until the student has graduated, at which time they may be shredded.
Rewrite Policy
The policy of City College is to ensure that all of our Students receive a fair evaluation of their academic performance. The College understands that unforeseen circumstances may prevent a Student from writing a scheduled exam or may negatively affect the outcome thereof.
Missed Tests (including assignments and performance demonstrations)
- A student who misses a test will receive a grade of zero.
- With acceptable documentation (i.e., a doctor’s certificate), the Instructor may provide a make-up test.
- The make-up test must be written outside of regularly scheduled class hours.
- The maximum mark the student can attain for a make-up test is 80%.
- Only one date will be offered for a student to write a make-up test.
- Failure to write the make-up as scheduled will result in a zero grade.
Failed Tests (including assignments and performance demonstrations)
- Students who fail to attain a passing grade of 70% in a Module activity may rewrite the test or redo the assignment/performance demonstration.
- The module test to be used for the rewrite must be different from the original test.
- The maximum mark the student can attain for a rewrite / redo Module activity is 80%.
- A student who fails the rewrite / redo must re-enroll in the course.
- Failed assignments and exams are automatically reread and reviewed to ensure appropriate credit has been awarded to the student.
Practicum Completion Requirements
City College is committed to ensuring that its graduates have completed the program requirements and training necessary to excel in their chosen career. For most of our programs, that includes a practicum placement. As a graduation requirement, it is important that the practicum be completed successfully, and within an acceptable time frame.
One of our practicum coordinators will work to place you in an approved work environment. The following outlines the college policies and student expectations of this placement. In order to complete your course and graduate, you must successfully meet all of the following practicum requirements:
- Submit all required documents to practicum coordinators before your practicum start date.
- Complete and pass all of your academic courses prior to commencing the practicum.
- Demonstrate a high level of professionalism at all times.
- Complete 40 working hours a week at your designated organization.
- Submit weekly attendance every Friday to your practicum coordinator.
- Finish your total practicum hours before your contract termination date.
- Pass your final practicum evaluation.
If you cannot attend your provided schedule, you will need to seek approval from your placement supervisor and inform your practicum coordinator. You are directly responsible for any warnings or discipline issued by your practicum supervisor for tardiness, unapproved absence, and/or any unacceptable workplace behavior.
Please contact your practicum coordinator with any questions or concerns regarding your practicum experience.
Program Completion Date
All programs must be completed within their allotted timeframe, this includes any mandatory Practicums. As extenuating circumstances may arise, the program completion date may be extended for up to four (4) weeks beyond the original end of term date. All extensions are at the discretion of, and must be approved by City College.
Excused Extensions
Extensions will only be provided as per the requirements established in the Student Attendance Policy available in the Student Handbook. Any extensions for medical reasons must be accompanied by a doctor’s note clearly stating the reason for the extension, and the date the Student will be cleared to start or resume their practicum.
Valid extension reasons include:
- Severe Illness or Medical Issues (including Maternity related reasons)
- Severe Psychological Issues
- Personal Emergencies (such as a death in the family)
In the event of an emergency, Students can extend their completion date by up to thirty (30) days with proper documentation. If an extension requires more than thirty (30) days, a new application is required.
Consequences
A Student who fails to meet any of the above requirements will be ineligible for graduation and will receive a failing grade for the program.
Graduation Requirements
Unless otherwise indicated by program specific requirements, the student MUST meet all of the following requirements in order to qualify for graduation:
Minimum Grades:
Students must achieve a minimum grade of 70% in each course. If their final mark for the course is below 70%, they must redo the course before they can complete the program and receive their diploma or certificate. Refer to our Policy on Rewrites for Failed Modules for eligibility and procedure.
