Pharmacy Assistant
Diploma Program
This 56-week program will give you the skills you need to begin your career as a pharmacy assistant. Pharmacy assistants help with patient interactions, gathering medications from stock, and record keeping.
Online Courses
56 Week Program
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Tuition: $13,000.00
Fees:
$500.00
Total Cost:
$13,500.00
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Average Wage
$23.86
Per Hour
* Data from alis.alberta.ca
Average Salary
$39,005.00
Per Year
* Data from alis.alberta.ca
Our Program at a Glance
What is a Pharmacy Assistant?
A Pharmacy Assistant is a healthcare professional who supports Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians in running a pharmacy by helping ensure safe and accurate medication dispensing. They work in various settings, such as hospitals, retail pharmacies, and long-term care facilities.
Career Opportunities
Pharmacy assistants can work in:
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Retail Pharmacies
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Hospital Pharmacies
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Healthcare Facilities
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Long Term Care Facilities
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Laboratories
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​Independent Pharmacies
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Dispensaries
What You Will Learn
Program Overview
At Alberta Paramount College, our Pharmacy Assistant program undergoes rigorous review and validation by seasoned pharmacists, including those who manage their own pharmacies. This ensures that you receive an education recognized and valued by employers.
Our comprehensive 56 week Pharmacy Assistant program covers an extensive range of topics, from pharmaceutical terminology to drug classifications and medication administration. You will gain practical, hands-on experience that allows you to apply your knowledge in real-world settings.
Moreover, we offer comprehensive training on Kroll software, one of Canada's most widely used pharmacy systems. Our program includes hands-on experience in our well-equipped college lab and remote access for practice from home. Proficiency in Kroll software significantly boosts employability, opening doors to job opportunities in pharmacies across Canada, particularly in Alberta.
The program includes a 200 hour practicum. You are placed in a workplace and gain real-world work experience by working in an active pharmacy.
Courses
Keyboarding Skills and Microsoft Office: This course will prepare you to be efficient in using Microsoft Office. A key task in a pharmacy assistants day is typing and using computer systems. You will need good keyboarding skills and a typing speed of least 55 wpm. After successful completion of the typing speed and accuracy test you are able to switch to the next module.
Human Anatomy: You will learn about the human body, including the skeletal, muscular, nervous, cardiovascular, lymphatic, endocrine, immune, respiratory, urinary, and reproductive systems. You must understand the functioning of the body systems to understand the medication effects.
The Primary Structure of Pharmacy Practice: You will learn and understand roles and duties of a Pharmacy Assistant. They will understand the various cultural origins of pharmacy and their impact on the profession. Distinguish the role of Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technician and the difference between them. Understand the educational and licencing requirement of the Pharmacist/Pharmacy Technician & Pharmacy Assistant. You will learn the different workplace environments such as community pharmacy, institutional pharmacy, hospital pharmacy and long-term facility and compounding. Identify the importance of customer service in pharmacy business and controlling workflow and business target. You will also learn pharmacy ethics and law.
Pharmacy Math & Calculation Dosage Form: You will understand subdivisions of number systems, estimating and accuracy. Understand how to prepare intravenous, injectable medication. Use special calculations for compounding medication. How to calculate dose of steroid and to taper it down.
Comprehensive Pharmacology: You will learn the principles of pharmacology, the evolution of medicinal drugs, and basic concepts of pharmacology. Prescription assembly data entry. How to dispense medication, fill prescriptions, ordering, and inventory management. As well as how to assemble Blister Packs. During this course you will learn prescription management, and how to prevent filling errors. You will memorize 500-700 drugs, their uses, and drug interactions.
Hospital Pharmacy /Long term Care facility: In this course you will learn the classification and functions of a hospital pharmacy. Understand the service needs of inpatient, outpatient, and long-term Care residents. Describe the roles of each pharmacist, pharmacy technician and Assistant in a hospital/ long term setting. How to properly label and package the medication in these facilities.
Community Pharmacy Practice & Lab: You will fully understand the Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) for community pharmacies. Learn how to assist clients and help to verbally explain the medication to them. Schedule professional Clinical services (medication reviews, health risk assessment, disease state management etc.) using the management system. Understand how to read prescriptions for proper input and learn about the most common abbreviations used in the pharmacy. Learn and understand the federal law on the filling, refilling, and transferring of controlled substances. Handling inventory and stocking the medication and properly managing inventories of medications and pharmaceutical products. Understand the different parts of the patient’s profile and how to properly input the patient information. Students will understand how to prevent filing errors. Know the importance of entering up to date insurance, allergy and adverse reaction information.
Compounding: Explore the basics of sterile compounding (medication order and calculations). Aseptic procedures. How to prepare ampoules, capsules, creams, chemotherapy, and eye drops preparation.
Kroll and Pharmacy Software: Telus Kroll is the most popular Pharmacy Management software being used in pharmacies today. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of Kroll's workflow, so they become efficient with handling the software with ease to maximize pharmacy efficiency.
Job Search and Resume Writing: This course is designed to guide students through the process of job searching and resume writing. The course will cover various methods of finding job opportunities, including online job boards, networking, and informational interviews. Students will learn how to create a professional resume that effectively showcases their skills and experiences to potential employers. You will to write an effective cover letter that grabs the attention of recruiters and hiring managers. You will cover interview skills, including how to make a strong first impression, appropriate behavior and dress. How to communicate effectively, and body language.
