Program Overview

Why a Pharmacy Assistant?

Help patients daily by providing assistance and preparing medications to aid their wellbeing. Pharmacy assistants play a vital role in pharmacies, as they assist pharmacists with the day-to-day operations in running a pharmacy, including customer service and interacting with clients, sterilizing products, mixing compound medications, and more.

Pharmacy Assistant Diploma Program

Vancouver Career College offers pharmacy assistant courses that cater to the needs of community and retail pharmacies. Learn about pharmacology, pharmaceutical calculations, pharmacy software and office computer applications, compounding, sterile products and aseptic techniques.

The Pharmacy Assistant program will prepare you for an indispensable career in preparing medications, mixing compounds, and updating client information with KROLL software.

Before you graduate, and under the direct supervision of a pharmacist, you will put these skills into practice during a real-world practicum placement within a community or retail pharmacy setting.

In addition to the Pharmacy Assistant diploma, graduates of this program will also receive certification in First Aid Level 1 and CPR.

Admission Requirements

Students must meet all of the prerequisites listed below, meet their financial obligations with the college, and acknowledge their understanding of the college’s policies and procedures provided in the student handbook, prior to starting classes.

• Proof of high school graduation or equivalent (General Education Development or BC Adult Basic Education or At a minimum, 1 year of post-secondary) completion)

OR

• Mature student status (19 years of age upon starting classes and must pass the College’s General Math Exam with the passing score of 50%)

AND

• Proof of English Language proficiency

*Note: Transcripts from an institution outside of Canada must be verified by an international education credential evaluation service, such as WES or ICES.
Meet the English Language Proficiency Policy

Practicum, Clinical Placement or Preceptorship Requirements

• Criminal record check (in accordance with the Criminal Records Review Act)

This program is approved by the Registrar of the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of British Columbia.

The Pharmacy Assistant program is available at the Surrey campus and is delivered through a combined (hybrid) learning format, which includes both in-class and online.

For more information about our college policies, click the link below:
Student Handbook    Dispute Resolution Policy    Sexual Misconduct Policy    Refund Policy