IMPROVING HEALTH THROUGH SCIENCE!

Placement Rate
2009	95%
2008	91%
2007	97%
2006	92%
2005	85%
2004	84%
2003	N/A
Hourly Rate $11.00 - $18.00
Average Starting Salary $22,000 - $36,000

Improve patients’ health and well-being by becoming a valuable member of the healthcare team!

Obtain the knowledge and practical skills to gain employment as a pharmacy technician in retail pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, long-term care pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, and health maintenance organizations.

A Pharmacy Technician will assist the pharmacist and be responsible for receiving incoming prescriptions, transcribing physician's orders, calculating doses, using drug distribution systems, preparing IV's, packaging medications, processing prescriptions and interacting with patients. A combination of theoretical and hands-on training based on industry standards prepares graduates for successful careers in the pharmaceutical industry.

Course Content

PHR–102     PHARMACEUTICAL MATHEMATICS I

The student will review mathematical fundamentals and develop a working knowledge of the various systems of metric, apothecary, and imperial weights and measures encountered in the pharmacy which will enable the student to accurately prepare prescriptions. The student will become familiar with strength designations and will perform various dosage calculations and interpret drug orders.

PHR–103     KEYBOARDING

Keyboarding is a foundation skill required for effective computer usage. By use of an all-in-one keyboarding instruction program, the student will develop proper keyboarding techniques and mastery of the keyboard.  Emphasis is placed on speed and accuracy.  A typing speed of 40 wpm is required for completion of this module.

PHR–105     BASIC CONCEPTS IN PHARMACOLOGY

Pharmacology is one of the most challenging subjects for those embarking on careers in pharmacy and the health sciences. In this introductory module, the student will be introduced to the history and practice of pharmacy and the historical and current role that pharmacy, the pharmaceutical industry, and government play in the delivery of health care.  The evolving role of the pharmacy technician will be examined and the student will be introduced to drug regulation and approval along with drug classes, schedules and categories.  Various dosage forms, including their advantages and disadvantages, along with methods of drug delivery and what happens after a drug has been administered will be discussed. Knowledge of the routes of administration allows the student to comprehend how a particular drug reaches its target site.

PHR–201     MEDICAL SCIENCES

This course will provide the student with a foundational knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy and physiology. The identification of medical words is taught through word analysis (prefixes, root words and suffixes). The student will be introduced to the different body systems, the structure and function of the major organs within each system and the pathophysiology of common diseases and conditions associated with each. The student will become familiar with clinical procedures, laboratory tests and abbreviations related to each system and other specialized areas of medicine. Completion of this course will allow the student to confidently communicate with other health care professionals and patients.

PHR–202     PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS I

A comprehensive, interdisciplinary perspective drawing upon core concepts of anatomy, physiology and pathology will be used in order to make drug therapy more understandable. The student will expand his/her previously learned core concepts in pharmacology via a disease and body system approach. The student will learn the therapeutic effects of prescription medications, non-prescription medications and alternative therapies commonly used in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases that affect the nervous, cardiovascular and urinary systems. Using the prototype approach to drug therapy, the student will learn the brand and generic names and classifications of common medications in Canada along with their mechanisms of action, major side-effects, contraindications, dosage forms and routes of administration.

PHR–203     NON-STERILE COMPOUNDING TECHNIQUES

In this module, the student will develop the complex skills and the professional demeanor necessary to take on the increasingly important role of compounding various pharmaceutical products to meet the specific needs of the patient. The student will learn to compound non-sterile products, including calculation of the correct amount of each ingredient and the use of the correct compounding equipment with the proper techniques. WHMIS protocols will also be learned. Practice will include compounding lotions, creams, ointments, solutions, suspensions, gels and capsules along with preparing other non-traditional compounds such as suppositories, lollipops, lip balms and gummi-bears. Proper and timely cleaning and maintenance of compounding equipment will also be stressed. Emphasis is placed on accuracy and the preparation of a pharmaceutically elegant product.

PHR–204     PHARMACEUTICAL MATHEMATICS II

Advanced calculations in IV, TPN and chemotherapy preparations along with pediatric dosing and preparing dilutions will be included in this module in order to prepare the student for employment in a hospital pharmacy. Accuracy is stressed throughout the course along with techniques to detect and reduce medication errors.

PHR–301     RETAIL AND LONG-TERM CARE PHARMACY

The student will practice receiving, dispensing and releasing prescriptions through simulations, role-playing, and other techniques. Emphasis is placed on the correct dispensing techniques, including computer entry, measuring, labeling, packaging, product presentation, and prescription processing. The student will build his/her skills of receiving, dispensing and releasing prescriptions. The role of community and long-term care pharmacies, including the various equipment and devices used in these environments, will also be explored. The students will gain efficiency, speed and accuracy in selecting and processing pharmaceutical products using drug interchangeability information, third-party and formulary restrictions and other resources.

He/she will also learn inventory management of medications, including narcotics and controlled drugs, along with various clerical functions. During the course, each student will also spend one day job shadowing in a retail pharmacy.

PHR–302     PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS II

This continuation of pharmacology and therapeutics will cover the therapeutic effects of prescription medications, non-prescription medications and alternative therapies commonly used in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases that affect various body systems such as the immune, respiratory, visual, auditory, gastrointestinal, reproductive and endocrine systems. Using the prototype approach to drug therapy, the students will learn the brand and generic names and classifications of common medications in Canada along with their mechanisms of action, major side-effects, contraindications, dosage forms and routes of administration.

PHR–303     HOSPITAL PHARMACY & STERILE PRODUCTS

The student will be introduced to the hospital environment including its structure, organization, and the role in health-care delivery. The role of the hospital pharmacist, pharmacy technician, and other health care professionals will be discussed. The various drug-distribution systems used in hospitals will be presented along with the advantages and disadvantages of each. The student will be introduced to medication order processing as well as the role of a drug formulary in a hospital setting. Purchasing and inventory control and record-keeping requirements are also discussed. During the course, each student will also spend one day job shadowing in a hospital pharmacy.

In both health care facilities and community pharmacies, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians aseptically prepare sterile products. The student will be introduced to the basic principles of microbiology as they relate to the practice of pharmacy along with the concepts of sterility, aseptic technique, sterilization methods, infection control and incompatibilities. The student will gain practical experience in the correct preparation, measuring, computer entry, labeling and packaging of the sterile hospital prescription, including IV Admixtures, TPNs and ophthalmic preparations, according to appropriate standards of practice relating to the preparation of sterile products in the pharmacy.  Emphasis is placed on accurate dispensing techniques, including methods of checking work for accuracy, while also ensuring sterility of the product.

PHR–305     PROFESSIONAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT

One area of emphasis in this module is placed on giving the student competence in Microsoft Windows and in Windows related software.  The student will become familiar with the operation of Microsoft’s Office 2007 software.  The student will also learn to use e-mail to communicate productively and the Internet as an effective business tool. 

Another area of emphasis in this module will be preparing the student for employment.  The student will develop good verbal and written communication skills along with customer service skills, including dealing with the difficult customer. Principles relating to motivation, interpersonal relations, confidentiality, leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, attitude and other workplace issues will be investigated.  The student will gain an understanding of current hiring practices as well as effective interview and job search techniques while participating in role-playing exercises to further his/her skills.  An emphasis is placed upon learning the knowledge and skills required to enable the student to perform professionally and confidently as a member of the healthcare team.

PHR–401     CLINICAL RETAIL PHARMACY EXPERIENCE

At the completion of the program, the student will participate in a four-week retail pharmacy practicum in order to continue his/her training for as a pharmacy technician. Specific objectives must be met in order to complete this module successfully.  Successful completion of this module is mandatory for graduation from the program.

PHR–402     CLINICAL HOSPITAL PHARMACY EXPERIENCE

At the completion of the program, the student will participate in a four-week hospital pharmacy practicum in order to continue his/her training for as a pharmacy technician. Specific objectives must be met in order to complete this module successfully.  Successful completion of this module is mandatory for graduation from the program.

BUS–665     SELF – DIRECTED STUDIES

This module is used by the student who may want to obtain one-on-one instruction with an instructor. This optional module is completed on Friday mornings during the entire length of the program.  The student does not receive a mark for this module as it is optional.

Students can add French as a Second Language certificate to this program.
Click here for details.

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DURATION

12 Months
November to October
(1568 hours based on 30 hours of instruction per week and 40 hours per week during OJT period)

ADMISSION REQUIRE-
MENTS

• Grade 12, Adult Education Diploma or GED
• One of the following courses: Grade 11 or 12 Chemistry or Biology (Must be Academic or Regular Level)
• Grade 11 or 12 Math, or successful completion of pre-admissions math test
• Meeting with Admissions Officer
• Acceptance by Admissions Officer
• Criminal Background Check with no criminal conviction of guilt
• Immunization Record completed before clinical experience

TUITION/
COSTS

Canadian Student:
Tuition: $8,288 (No taxes are charged on tuition)
FSL Option: $10,288
Books and Supplies: approx. $1,200 (includes taxes)
Student Protection Fee / Province of NB: $82.88 (FSL $102.88)
Student Council fee: $50
Non-Refundable Registration Deposit: $400 (deducted from tuition)

International Student:
Tuition: $9,288
FSL Option: $11,288
Books and Supplies: approx. $1,200 (includes taxes)

START DATE/
END DATE

November 1, 2010 to
October 28, 2011

Study Breaks: 1 week in March, 2 weeks in July

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE TRAINING PERIOD

September 6, 2011 to
October 28, 2011

(Students may be expected to travel to clinical sites outside the Moncton area. Costs incurred for travel and accomodation are at the expense of the student.)