Pharmacy Technician Bridging Program
For more information: call 780-644-6395 or 780-644-6396.
As of July 1, 2011, the profession of Pharmacy Technician has been added to the list of regulated health professions in the Province of Alberta. As such, the title of Pharmacy Technician is now protected and use of this professional designation requires registration with the Alberta College of Pharmacists (ACP). To be eligible for registration with the ACP, individuals must have graduated from an accredited pharmacy technician program, passed a national qualifying exam administered by the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC), and passed a provincial jurisprudence exam offered by the ACP.
Due to this change there are a number of individuals who have been performing the duties of a pharmacy technician but who did not graduate from an accredited program. The Pharmacy Technician Bridging program was developed to assist these individuals in transitioning to a Registered Pharmacy Technician. This four-course program gives those who had been working as a pharmacy technician, but who are not yet licensed, a standard base of education before they sit the PEBC entry-to-practice exam. Evidence of completion of the bridging program is required for those who did not graduate from an accredited pharmacy technician program to satisfy the registration requirements with the ACP.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this be a certificate or diploma program?
These are non-credit courses which prepare the student to sit the PEBC entry-to-practice exam, the PEBC Evaluating exam, and the ACP Jurisprudence Exam. A transcript detailing the courses taken is available to students.
How many courses are there in the program?
There are four courses in the bridging program:
- Pharmacology
- Professional Practice
- Management of Drug Distribution Systems
- Product Preparation
What are the requirements for entry into the program?
Participants must meet one of the following criteria to enrol in the bridging program:
- Successful completion of the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board of Alberta (PTCB-AB)
- Successful completion of the OCP Certification exam prior to December 2008
- Successful completion of the PEBC Evaluating exam
- Successful completion of a CCAPP Accredited Training Program
- Inclusion on the ACP Voluntary Membership Register
- At least 2000 hours of practice experience in the field of pharmacy within the past 36 months (see Application for PEBC Evaluating Exam)
Is this program available online?
Yes, the program will be available online (audio only). Students preferring to take the course by distance will be able to log on to a computer, listen to, and communicate with the class instructor live. The lectures are recorded so that students unable to log on at the scheduled class times will be able to log on at their convenience and listen to the lectures. Your registration gives you access to Blackboard where you can obtain all slide presentations and class handouts.
Do I need a computer with internet access to take the course?
Yes, even if you are NOT taking the class online you need access to a computer and the internet as some assignments and homework readings require the student to access the internet. Additionally, several assignments must be typed so access to a printer is also required. Outside of the classroom your instructor will communicate with you via email.
What are the minimum system requirements necessary to take a course via distance?
Students taking the bridging courses via distance (online) must be computer competent and must have access to the internet and a printer.
To access the bridging courses online, the minimum system requirements are as follows:
- Windows XP
- Internet Explorer 7.0
- Java (latest version)
- Adobe Reader - Version 10.0
- Adobe Flash Player - Version 10.0
How will the exams be written?
Exams are scheduled for the last day of the class and are written in the same classroom as scheduled. Students need to bring their ID to class on exam day.
Exams for distance students will be scheduled for the same date and time as in-class students. Those students living too far from Edmonton to come in to NorQuest may work with their instructor to arrange for an alternate assessment. This will include choosing an appropriate proctor and arranging to write the exam in a secure setting.
When will the program begin?
The first course in the fall series will begin in September 2011. Over the course of the 2011-2012 school year, we will be offering all four courses using various delivery methods. See attached schedule for details.
What are the days/hours of the course offering?
See attached schedule for details.
What is the cut-off date for registration for the fall intake?
The cut-off dates for the fall offering will be one week prior to the start date of each course. For challenge exams, the cut-off date is two weeks prior to the start date. See attached schedule for details.
Is there a textbook for this course?
There are required texts and learning materials for some courses. The following table provides information on the required texts and learning materials for each course.
Pharmacology : Moscou K., Snipe K., Pharmacology for Pharmacy Technicians, 2009, ISBN: 978-0-323-04720-3. This is a required for the Pharmacology course.
Professional Practice : Rantucci M., Stewart I., Focus on Safe Medication Practices, 2008, ISBN: 978-0-7817-7078. This is a required text for the Professional Practice course.
Product Preparation : A materials kit and a 4-function calculator are required for the Product Preparation course. A list of the materials kit contents can be obtained from the instructor.
Management of Drug Distribution Systems : Class handouts only (see statement regarding optional course pack printing fee under the question "What is the cost of course?")
Where can we purchase the texts?
These books can be purchased from the NorQuest bookstore or online from Amazon.com or Chapters.ca.
What is the cost of the course?
The cost of each course is $395.00 plus G.S.T. Once classes begin, the cost of the course is non-refundable. You must call a minimum of two days prior to the first day of class in order to receive a full refund.
There is an optional course pack printing fee associated with some course offerings. You may choose to print your own materials from Blackboard, our online system. Your instructor will inform you of your options on the first day of class.
The cost of textbooks is not included in the registration fees.
Is funding available for these courses?
Students can call the Student Finance Aid office at 780-644-6130 or discuss Professional Development funds with their employer.
When will the next course be offered?
See attached schedule for details.
How do I register for courses?
- Fill out the Continuing Education/Non Credit Registration Form and fax it to Amber Long at 780-644-6013 or call her at 780-644-6011
or
- Visit the Office of the Registrar at 10215 - 108 Street, Edmonton
When is the deadline for registration?
The college will be taking registrations for upcoming courses now until one week prior to the start of each course. See attached schedule for details.
Is class attendance mandatory?
Class attendance is mandatory, and instructors will take attendance in class. If you anticipate being unable to attend all classes as scheduled, you are strongly advised to enrol in a distance offering.
How do I know if I am a good fit for distance studies?
Many students with active professional, personal and family lives find that distance studies are an attractive option because it allows for some flexibility in studying. As well, students who live a distance from our downtown campus, or find it hard to leave other commitments to attend class regularly, enjoy distance studies. However, successful distance students are highly motivated and independent with a good base of computer skills in order to access online resources, and receive and send email and assignments.
Can the courses in the PTD Bridging Program be challenged?
Yes, there is a "fast track option", allowing for three of the four courses to be challenged. This allows technicians who believe that they have the necessary knowledge and abilities to challenge a bridging course. The PLAR (Prior Learning and Recognition) challenge has been set up as an exam process. Three of the four courses in the program can be challenged. These include:
- Management of Drug Distribution
- Pharmacology
- Product Preparation
The Professional Practice course cannot be challenged. It must be taken by all technicians in the bridging process. If this course is not passed, the student must re-take the course.
Please note that students planning to challenge Product Preparation must ensure that they are ready to attempt the exam. Specific documentation must be completed, verifying the student's skills, prior to the PLAR. Please contact the program office at 780-644-6395.
If a PLAR (challenge) exam is not passed, students must re-attempt by enrolling in the full course.
For the Pharmacology, Management of Drug Distribution Systems and Product Preparation courses, students who do not pass the course may subsequently write the challenge if they can show that they have taken remedial steps to improve their knowledge and skills. This requires consultation with the instructor in order to guide the student through this remediation process.
What is the cost of a challenging course?
The cost of challenging a PTD Bridging course is $170.00 per course, plus an administration fee of $25.00, for a total of $195.00 plus G.S.T. Students may register to challenge courses on the dates listed in the attached schedule.
How many courses can a student take during any given semester?
Students may take as many of the four courses as they feel they can handle. However, we strongly recommend that in order to complete and succeed, that a maximum of two be attempted during any given semester.
These courses require a great deal of commitment and are academically rigorous. If this is your first time taking a bridging course, it is recommended that you begin your journey with one course in order to best gauge your time commitments.
PLEASE NOTE: A minimum of 10-15 hours of study time is required for each course. Students anticipating enrolment into the Spring 2012 intake for Pharmacology, MDDS, or Profession Practice must be highly motivated to take this fast-paced delivery which, because of its intensity, will require even more of a commitment in terms of study time.
Last updated:
January 27, 2012
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