Explore This Program
Program Overview
The Robertson College Pharmacy Technician program is based on the NAPRA Competencies and CPTEA Educational Outcomes for Pharmacy Technicians at Entry to Practice.
Successful graduates of the Pharmacy Technician program will be eligible to register with the Alberta College of Pharmacy as Provisional Pharmacy Technicians.
This program is licensed under Alberta’s Private Vocational Training Act (PVTA).
Pharmacy Technicians registered with the Alberta College of Pharmacy are health care professionals regulated under the Health Professions Act of Alberta.
Vision
To provide a high-quality education that is focused on the needs of students and employers; allowing graduates to find successful employment in their chosen profession and to provide the knowledge and skills that they need to achieve success as health practitioners.Â
Mission
To provide the public with competent, ethical, and patient-focused pharmacy technicians capable of producing positive health outcomes.
Our Teaching Facilities at Robertson College
The teaching facilities at Robertson College include both a simulated retail and institutional pharmacy with sterile compounding laminar airflow hoods. The students are able to fill prescriptions using the Kroll computer system and receive hands-on training in the simulated pharmacy labs.
Additional Resources
Program Delivery
Hybrid Learning
- A mix of online and on-campus learning.
- Enjoy the flexibility of remote learning without sacrificing valuable in-person training under the guidance of your instructors.
- You only come to the campus for scheduled in-person labs! The theory portion of the program is delivered online through Brightspace, our online learning platform.
Visit our Hybrid Learning to learn more about this delivery format.
Campus Locations
This program is offered out of Robertson's Calgary campus location with the option to complete the face to face clinical laboratory components at either Edmonton or Calgary campus. Select a campus below to view campus specific information, like schedule information and enrolment dates.
Select A Campus
Program Details
Admission Requirements
Contact AdmissionsAccreditation
CCAPP
Career Opportunities
Most Pharmacy Technicians (NOC 3219) are employed in community pharmacies, hospitals or medical centre pharmacies. However, employment can also be found in health insurance companies, third party billing centres (such as Alberta Blue Cross) or related organizations such as pharmaceutical companies, drug wholesalers and pharmacy supply companies.
Pharmacy Technicians can also be known as Dispensary Technicians or Pharmacy Technologists.Â
Continue your research:
- Alberta Alis profile including traits & Skills, working conditions, duties, related high school subjects
- The Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs
You could be earning in less than a year
Lifetime Career Services
Even though you’ll leave Robertson once you graduate, we will support you throughout your career. Our team will help you with resume building, job hunting and interview preparation and will continue to guide you as you advance in your role.
Before you graduate, you’ll be paired with a career specialist in your field who will help you find a meaningful place to start your career. As a graduate, you’ll have lifelong access to student services that are committed to your success and helping you thrive.
Learn more about Lifetime Career Services.
Next Start Dates
To view enrolment dates for a specific location please select a Robertson College campus.
Select A CampusTopics of Study
Interprofessional Collaboration (IPC) - 30 Hours
Robertson partners with CTS Canadian Career College to offer an online interprofessional collaboration (IPC) course for our Pharmacy Technician students. Students will be provided the opportunity to experience team and case-based approaches with other health sciences students from a variety of programs.
Anatomy & Physiology - 80 Hours
Introduces students to the basic concepts of medical terminology, physiology and pathophysiology of the human body as well as common drug therapeutic classifications and common laboratory procedures.
Computer Fundamentals - 20 Hours
Provides students a basic understanding of common computer applications, keyboarding skills and an introduction to the Windows operating system, including Microsoft.
Dispensing in Community Pharmacy - 170 Hours
Provides a combination of hands-on lab and theory in a simulated pharmacy lab. Students explore dispensing procedures, the workflow of a community pharmacy, customer relations, an overview of pharmaceutical software and third party plans and billing.
Jurisprudence and Ethics - 60 Hours
Familiarizes students with the role of the pharmacy technician, assistant and pharmacist, including both a historical and current perspective. Students are introduced to legislation governing the practice of pharmacy and the code of ethics of the College of Pharmacists of Alberta.
Institutional Pharmacy - 80 Hours
Introduces students to pharmacy practices in both hospitals and personal care homes. The courses covers services provided by the pharmacy with particular emphasis on the product-oriented responsibilities of the technician.
Pharmacology and Therapeutic Terminology - 140 Hours
Introduces students to general principles underlying the use of drugs. In addition, the student is introduced to therapeutic and chemical drug classifications, the drugs used to treat disease states in various body systems and the mechanism of action of common drug groups.
Pharmacy Calculations - 110 Hours
Concentrates on teaching math calculations that are used in both a community and hospital setting when preparing and dispensing medications. This subject is taught with a ‘zero tolerance’ policy which focuses on the ability of students to ensure 100% accuracy in calculations by the end of the program.
Sterile Product Preparations - 150 Hours
Introduces students to the basic concepts of sterile drug preparation and to develop, through practical experience, the skills and techniques required to prepare sterile drug preparations.
Communication in Health Care - 40 Hours
This course is designed to develop verbal and non-verbal communication strategies, and active listening skills related to professional relationships. Students will also be introduced to intra and inter-professional collaboration, learn to function in a team environment and are taught conflict resolution skills with an emphasis on patient care.
Final Product Check - 20 Hours
This course is designed to introduce the student to the basic concepts of checking products before they leave the pharmacy in a simulated Pharmacy Lab, teaching such skills necessary to ensure consistency and accuracy. It will introduce systematic checking processes to help detect common errors.
Pharmacy Career Preparation - 25 Hours
Prepares students to conduct a thorough employment search strategy that incorporates personal marketing and an assessment of skill inventories. Teachers focus on discovering a better understanding of the skills that employers seek as well as directing students to understand what an employer may expect from their employees.
Qualifying Exam Preparation - 30 Hours
This course is designed to prepare students to be successful in the Pharmacy Exam Board of Canada’s Qualifying Exam. Students get familiarized with the application process and the format and timelines of the exams. They will have the opportunity to practice for Part 1 and 2 of the exam, including interactive and non-interactive stations in a simulated setting.
Community Pharmacy Practicum - 200 Hours
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Institutional Pharmacy Practicum - 160 Hours
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Learning Experience
Classes
Have the flexibility to live your life while going to school with our half-day classes. Our flexible start dates and small class sizes give you plenty of opportunities to learn when it’s best for you and gain the hands-on skills to succeed in any industry.
Industry-Leading Instructors
Learn from industry professionals who bring real-life experience into the classroom. You can book office hours or get virtual support from your instructors through Brightspace, where you can schedule video appointments and use instant messenger to ask questions.
Lifelong Career Services
Connect with a career specialist in your field who will help you find a meaningful place to start your career. As a graduate, you’ll have lifelong access to student services that will help you with resume building, interview preparation and networking.
Financial Assistance and Funding
Financial assistance is available for qualifying students. Registration with the Alberta College of Pharmacists is not included in the tuition.
- All textbooks, manuals, and workbooks will be loaned by Robertson College at no charge. Students will have the option to purchase if they choose.
- Students are responsible for all costs associated with obtaining the required documentation needed for clinical placements (eg. immunizations, criminal record checks with vulnerable sector check)
If you need extra support, we have flexible funding to accommodate all our students, no matter their financial situation. Our dedicated Financial Aid Officers will help you every step of the way.
Questions about tuition and funding?
Contact Admissions
Practicum
The practicum is an essential part of a learner’s program. It is both a graduation requirement and an extension of in-class learning. The practicum asks you to apply the skills, theories, and concepts that you learned in your classes in an entry-level work experience situation.Â
Practicum must begin and end within the dates outlined in your program schedule and enrolment contract. Practicum is a full-time, unpaid commitment, and is jointly-procured — where you work directly with our Practicum team to obtain a training-related placement. Your active participation with our Practicum team in the search for your practicum placement will enhance your career development skills, industry networking opportunities, and professional communication skills.
Let's Get Started
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Program Availability
This program is offered at multiple Robertson College campus locations. Select a campus below to view campus specific information, like schedule information and enrolment dates.