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Pharmacy Technician

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Pharmacy Technician

Become a trusted health-care professional with our accredited Pharmacy Technician program. Gain a solid theoretical grounding and hands-on experience dispensing prescriptions, preparing compounded medications and sterile products, managing inventory, and supporting patient care. Get ready to thrive in this fast-paced, respected career. 

Navleen Mavi - Pharmacy Technician

What I like most about the pharmacy technician program is the combination of theoretical knowledge and practical skills it provides. I appreciate how the program covers a wide range of topics, from pharmacology and pharmacy law to sterile compounding and patient communication. This comprehensive approach has helped me develop a solid understanding of pharmacy operations and is preparing me for real-world scenarios. 

Navleen Mavi

Pharmacy Technician

What to expect from the program

In the Pharmacy Technician program, you'll start by building a strong theoretical foundation. Classroom learning covers the fundamentals of anatomy and physiology, medication use, safety, and management, pharmaceutical calculations, communication skills, and the legal and ethical standards that guide professional practice. 

You’ll then apply this knowledge through hands-on training in NorQuest’s pharmacy technician lab, where you’ll practice compounding, sterile product preparation, repackaging, inventory management, and dispensing. Together, these theoretical foundations and essential lab skills will prepare you for the high-stakes responsibility of working with medications, where accuracy and safety are critical. 

You will graduate with the skills and knowledge you need to write the qualifying examination with the Pharmacy Examining Board. 

Graduate with experience

NorQuest College believes in the importance of on-the-job experience that provides an enriched learning opportunity. 

Hands-on learning 

Our state-of-the-art simulation lab prepares students to work collaboratively with other health-care professionals as part of an interdisciplinary team. 

Students learn with technologies currently employed by those working in the profession, including laminar airflow hoods and Kroll® computer software. 

Practicum placements 

You’ll graduate from this program with 360 hours of work experience from two practicums. 

Your practicums may be in your community or close by. Your schedule may include day, evening, or night shifts any day of the week, including weekends and holidays. You will work full-time during the practicum and provide your own transportation to the facility. 

Choosing your delivery option

NorQuest understands that students have different learning styles and preferences. This program includes two delivery options. When determining how and where you would like to attend classes or complete your program, consider how you learn best.

In person - 2 years

Classes are held in a classroom with face-to-face instruction and regularly scheduled meeting times.  

  • Due to course load, this option is best suited for students who can commit to full-time studies each term.
  • All courses must be taken in the preplanned order.
  • Attendance to all lab components is mandatory.

Blended with in-person labs - 3 years

A method of course delivery where both online and in-person/real-time instruction are required components, with in-person labs at scheduled locations.

  • 2-3 evenings per week, and 1-3 weekends per term.
  • Attendance to all lab components is mandatory.

Additional information

Graduates of the NorQuest College Pharmacy Technician diploma program will be recognized as eligible to write the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada Qualifying Examination and register as a provisional pharmacy technician with the Alberta College of Pharmacy.

Successful completion of the PEBC examination and various tasks with the ACP are necessary for registration as a pharmacy technician in Alberta. This process takes a minimum of six months after graduation to complete before licensure as a pharmacy technician can be achieved.

Visit the Alberta College of Pharmacy website for more information on becoming a registered pharmacy technician in the province of Alberta.

Career opportunities

Pharmacy technicians work in hospitals, community pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, and insurance companies. 

For more information on related careers see: 

This program prepares you to step confidently into your field while providing the flexibility to continue your education. Credits you earn may be transferable toward additional diplomas, degrees, or certifications—helping you advance your career and increase your earning potential. 

Explore transfer pathways

What to expect as a pharmacy technician 

Applicants should assess their ability to fulfill the demands of the occupation of pharmacy technician. 

As a pharmacy technician, you must be able to: 

  • Work day, evening, and weekend shifts 
  • Stand and sit for extended periods of time 
  • Use your knees, back, and arms to move objects that weigh up to 10 kilograms 
  • Have good manual dexterity and vision, which are essential for some tasks 
  • Physically and emotionally manage workplace demands 
  • Function effectively in stressful situations 
  • Multi-task and problem-solve 
  • Perform all skills independently 
  • Work collaboratively with other health-care professionals 
  • Communicate effectively in written and verbal form with patients, colleagues, and other health-care professionals 

Upcoming event

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Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy Technician Info Session

November 3, 2025
3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Online

Join a student recruiter and a program expert to learn everything you need to know about NorQuest’s Pharmacy Technician program.

Have a question about the Pharmacy Technician program?

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