Pharmacy Assistant Program (PA)

 

The Pharmacy Assistant Program was reviewed and approved by the Registrar of the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.

 

Program Description:

The Pharmacy Assistant Program prepares students for entry-level careers in retail, hospital, and clinical pharmacy settings. Students develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to support pharmacists through training in pharmacy operations, prescription processing, pharmacology, pharmaceutical and medical terminology, pharmacy calculations, customer service, pharmacy software, and administrative procedures.

The program includes a supervised practicum, providing valuable hands-on experience in a professional pharmacy environment. Upon graduation, students are prepared to work safely and effectively as entry-level Pharmacy Assistants within the Canadian healthcare system.

 Domestic/International

Online (Asynchronous and Synchronous), Combined, or In-Person

StudentAid BC (SABC) Available for Domestic Students

$ 5,000.00

Application Fee: $250 (Non-refundable/Non-transferable)

Next start date: October 5, 2026 End date: March 21, 2027

Register

Program Highlights

  • Affordable Tuition: Program tuition is $5,000, with flexible payment options available in 1, 2, or 3 installments. 
  • Practicum Placement Included: CCBC arranges one practicum placement for each student at no additional cost.
  • Program begins the first Monday of each month.
  • Experienced Instructors: Learn from qualified instructors with extensive industry knowledge and practical experience.
  • Easy Registration: Enjoy a simple and streamlined application and registration process.   Enrollment is limited, so early registration is recommended.
  • Career-Focused Training: Gain practical skills through a relevant curriculum designed to prepare graduates for employment in the field.

Admission Requirements

Click here to view

Credential Earned:

Certificate

Learning Management System (LMS):

Google Classroom

Program length:

24 weeks = 20 weeks of coursework + 100-hour practicum (Approximately 4 weeks)

Fees and Practicum Information

  • Application Fee: $250, payable at the time of registration. This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
  • Criminal Record Check Cost (B.C.)-$28
  • Tuition Fee: $5,000, payable in 1, 2, or 3 installments. Payments may be made by:
  • Textbooks:
    • Approximate costs:
      • E-textbooks: $350
      • Hard-copy textbooks: $395
  • Practicum Placement:
    • CCBC will arrange one practicum placement for each student.
    • All tuition and fees must be paid in full before the practicum begins.
    • Practicum placements are unpaid.
    • Students currently employed in a medical office may be eligible to have the practicum requirement waived. Please contact the College for additional information and eligibility requirements.

Finanacing:

  • StudentAid BC is available for domestic students.
  • Please note that the College cannot guarantee that students will receive StudentAid BC funding. Eligibility and the amount of funding provided are determined by StudentAid BC based on each student’s individual circumstances and application. Students are responsible for applying directly to StudentAid BC and meeting all application requirements. The College cannot apply for funding on a student’s behalf. Students can apply through the official StudentAid BC application page.

Delivery Methods:

A. Online/Distance — 50% Asynchronous and 50% Synchronous

  1. Synchronous/ONLINE ZOOM Class. Instructors will share the  Zoom class schedule at the start of the course.  Students must inform their instructor if they cannot attend prior to the session start.  No penalties will apply for missed sessions. Students can then view missed lectures at their convenience.
  2. Asynchronous- Students will receve a pre-recorded lecture, and learning materials to complete the weekly assignment.
  3. Practicum — 100 hours/4 weeks. In-person.

B. In-Person

  1. In-person classes – Fridays 5pm to 9pm, Saturdays 8am to 4pm, Sundays 8am to 4pm at Unit 203- 1120 Westwood St. Coquitlam, B.C.
  2. Practicum – 100 hours/4 weeks. In-person.

C. Combined

  1. Online – Synchronous Classes. Instructors will share the weekly Zoom class schedule at the start of the course.  Students must inform their instructor if they cannot attend. No penalties will apply for missed sessions. Students can then view missed lecture at their convenience.
  2. In-person Classes: Fridays 5pm to 9pm, Saturdays 8am to 4pm, Sundays 8am to 4pm at Unit 203- 1120 Westwood St. Coquitlam, B.C.
  3. Practicum – 100 hours/4 weeks. In-person.

Students must progress with their assigned cohort and cannot accelerate course completion. Due to limited capacity, early registration is strongly recommended.

Employment Opportunities

Students completing this program may find employment in the following:

  • Pharmacy Assistant 
  • Pharmacy Aide
  • Pharmacy Clerk
  • Community Pharmacy Assistant
  • Hospital Pharmacy Assistant
  • Retail Pharmacy Assistant
  • Pharmacy Support Worker

Program Content:

  • Upon successful completion of the Pharmacy Assistant Program, graduates will be able to:
    • Apply pharmacy, medical, pharmacology, and anatomy terminology in professional practice.
    • Understand Canadian pharmacy operations, prescription processing, regulations, ethics, and privacy requirements.
    • Perform accurate pharmacy calculations, prescription processing, inventory management, and pharmacy software functions.
    • Demonstrate knowledge of medications, dosage forms, medication safety, infection prevention, and quality assurance practices.
    • Communicate professionally and provide patient-centered service while working effectively within an interprofessional healthcare team.
    • Apply administrative, documentation, organizational, and workplace safety skills in community and institutional pharmacy settings.
    • Demonstrate professional, ethical, and accountable practice during a supervised practicum, preparing for entry-level employment as a Pharmacy Assistant

Fees for textbooks:

  • Students are responsible for purchasing textbooks through a third-party vendor. E-textbooks are recommended as they are more affordable and delivered quickly by email.
  • Approximate costs:
    • E-textbooks: $350
    • Hard-copy textbooks: $395
  • Do not purchase textbooks until directed by your instructor.
  1. Beck, Connie. Community Pharmacy in Canada: Fundamentals for Technicians and Assistants. Northrose Educational Resources, 2023. Approximate cost for e-textbook is $95.95 or hard copy is $97.95
  2. Davis, Karen; Guerra, Anthony. Mosby’s Pharmacy Technician: Principles and Practice. 7th ed. Elsevier Health Sciences, 2022. Approximate cost for e-textbook is $142.99 or hard copy is $152.95
  3. Beale, Karen. Math Calculations for Pharmacy Technicians: A Worktext. 4th ed. Elsevier Health Sciences, 2021. Approximate cost for e-textbook is $112.99 or hard copy is $152.95

  4. Lab Manual 1: Kroll User Guide

    https://go.telushealth.com/hubfs/Pharmacy/support/kroll/Kroll_User_Guide_2025.pdf

    Lab Manual 3: Kroll Tutorial Video

Criminal Record Check (CRC)/Vulnerable Sector Check

The Criminal Record Check must be completed and approved before you are permitted to begin any practicum hours. Students are encouraged to start this process early, as processing times may vary. Failure to obtain a clear Criminal Record Check may affect your eligibility to participate in practicum placements.

How do I submit a CRC request online?

Click the link below to request a Criminal Record Check in British Columbia. Please note that each province will have a different process to obtain a CRC.

https://justice.gov.bc.ca/screening/crrpa/org-access

Access Code: ECPV6DALVN

Contact us:

For more information or to speak with an Academic Advisor, students may email info@coastalcollegeofbc.com or call the college Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Registration Form – Click here