PHARMACY ASSISTANT DIPLOMA

This course introduces students to basic pharmacy theory including drug development, pharmaceutical dosage forms, routes of administration, storage considerations, interpretation of prescription information, and dispensing procedures. Students will also examine the role of the pharmacy technician in the health care setting.

This course provides students with an understanding of the structure of pharmacy services in Alberta, the laws that govern pharmacy practise and the area of pharmacy ethics.s

In this course, students will be provided with a framework of knowledge, enabling them to recognize drug names and drug classes. Students will also learn to understand drug actions and the rationale for treatment. Focus will also be given to drug side effects, allergic reactions and various health issues relating to pharmacology and drugs.

This course will familiarize students with the Kroll pharmacy management software program. The course also covers the topics of prescription filling, drug interaction, third party medical plans and the Alberta Netcare system.

The focus of this course is on developing basic communication skills, especially relating to the medical field. Effective communication assists pharmacy assistants in dealing with the patients they encounter as part of their career. Understanding cultural differences and encouraging diversity can add a new dimension to patient interaction and result in safer healthcare delivery in the pharmacy.

Students will practice different tasks they will be required to perform in this practical work in the pharmacy. In this course, they will be able to submit orders through wholesalers’ portals, receive orders and do other daily on-dispensing tasks.

This course will teach students the different groups of over-the-counter medications and medical supplies, and how they interact within the community pharmacy.

In this course, students will be introduced to dispensing techniques and procedures. The emphasis is on the role of the Pharmacy Assistant in relation to the role and responsibilities of the pharmacist in a retail pharmacy. Students become familiar with the the technical duties of managing a pharmacy so their pharmacist is available primarily for patient care.

Medical Terminology covers the broad base for medical terminology, abbreviations and the systems of the body.  Students will learn to build medical words using the key components, which also include the correct pronunciation and spelling of each term.  Students also gain an understanding of proper utilization of terms to describe medical conditions and disease states.

This course reviews all aspects of compounding prescriptions. The student will prepare various mixtures, creams and ointments, solutions and suspensions. An emphasis on accuracy and preparation of a pharmaceutically elegant product is included.

Hospital aseptic techniques provide students with the opportunity to learn the terms and procedures specific to a hospital pharmacy. This course will focus on the preparation of sterile products and on infection control. Procedures covered include sterilization methods, equipment use and maintenance.

This course provides students with an understanding of the pharmaceutical expressions of strengths and dosages calculations for dispensing. Both the apothecaries’ and metric systems of measurement are reviewed as part of this training.

This course focuses on the effective writing of resumes and letter, interview skills and cold calling strategies. Additionally, students will be taught the skills for effective networking and marketing of their skills to potential employers. Students learn valuable interview skills through live role-playing exercises. Upon completion of the course, students will learn how to effectively cold call employers, use the hidden job market, use professional social networking sites, and create a cover letter, thank you letter and reference list, all of which they can then use as part of their career search.