Pharmacy Assistant

Pharmacy Assistant

Pharmacy Assistant
Certificate Program
Total Program Hours:
620 Hours
Full-Time Program Length:
33 Weeks
Delivery Methods:
  • In-Class Instruction
  • Distance Education / Online
  • Combined Delivery (Both In-Class and Distance)
Includes holidays and professional days.
Program content is subject to change.

Program Overview

Online and On-Campus Delivery Options may be available!

Pharmacy assistants help licensed pharmacists provide medication and other health care products to patients. Assistants usually perform routine tasks to help prepare prescribed medication, such as counting tablets and labelling bottles. They also perform administrative duties, such as answering phones, stocking shelves, and operating cash registers. Assistants refer any questions regarding prescriptions, drug information, or health matters to a pharmacist.

In large pharmacies and health-systems, pharmacy assistants with significant training, experience and certification can be promoted to supervisory positions, mentoring and training pharmacy assistants with less experience. Some may advance into specialty positions such as chemotherapy assistants and nuclear pharmacy assistants. Others move into sales. This program gives the student the necessary skills to be competitive in this exciting field.

Career Opportunities

  • Retail pharmacy assistant
  • Clinical pharmacy assistant

Pharmacy Assistant Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Assist licensed pharmacists in providing medication and other health care products to patients
  • Perform tasks to help prepare prescribed medications, such as counting tablets and labelling bottles
  • Perform administrative tasks such as answering phones, stocking shelves and receiving payments

Methods of Evaluation
Methods of evaluation vary amongst the courses in the program. Please see the individual course outlines on how students are evaluated for each course

Why Study To Be a Pharmacy Assistant At Sprott Shaw?

  • Lifetime access to dedicated Employment Services Specialists (ESS) who can help you with resume and cover letter writing, interview skills, and the overall job search after graduation 
  • Lifetime tuition-free access to course refreshers if you ever need to retrain and update your skills 
  • Practicum opportunities with recognized organizations across BC 
  • Multiple start dates so you can start your education when you want to without the wait 
  • Career and professional development success courses to help create a career development marketing plan, learn the cardinal rules of professionalism, and identify the target markets and employment resources in the counselling field 
  • Preparation and orientation courses to teach you how to find credible research, write papers, create proper citation formats including APA, and study effectively for exams 
  • All-inclusive program costs where what you see is what you pay. Our costs include registration fees, assessment fees, tuition, textbooks, supplies, course materials, uniforms, certificates, graduation fees, practicum fees, and much more 
  • Grant and scholarship opportunities are available to help you save on tuition. Up to $4000 in scholarships and grants are open to recent high school graduates, Sprott Shaw alumni, military veterans, and more! Click here to browse our full list of grants and scholarships.

Where Are Sprott Shaw Graduates Working? 

Our Health Care, Nursing and Dental graduates can be found working throughout the province. In addition to health authorities across BC, our Practical Nursing and Health Care Assistant graduates are working at recognized hospitals like Vancouver General Hospital, Surrey Memorial Hospital, Chilliwack General Hospital, Kelowna General Hospital, Victoria General Hospital, and more. 

Our Dental Assistant graduates can be found working at a variety of dental clinics throughout the province such as Family Care Dental Clinic, Heavenly Dental, NOVO Dental Centre, and more. Our Pharmacy Assistants can be found working in Walmart Pharmacies, Rexall Pharmacies, and numerous other independent pharmacies throughout BC. 

Click below to learn more about where our graduates are currently working. Please note that these lists do not cover every single business that has hired a Sprott Shaw graduate, but they do provide a good representation of the sort of industries that Sprott Shaw graduates are working in. 


  • pharamacy assistant college students sprott shaw college in pharmacy lab learning hands-on prescription pills
  • pharamacy assistant college students sprott shaw college in pharmacy lab learning hands-on prescription pills
  • pharamacy assistant college students sprott shaw college in pharmacy lab learning hands-on prescription pills

Program Details

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet all of the pre-requisites listed below, meet their financial obligations to the college at registration, and acknowledge their understanding of SSC’s policies and procedures provided in the Student Handbook, prior to starting classes.

NOTE: Students are provided with a detailed list of books, e-resources, workshop/lab supplies, and lab/tool kits that are included in the program’s fees and will have the opportunity to opt in or out of purchasing from Sprott Shaw College or any other specific source any of these items at the time of registration.

ADMISSION INTERVIEW(S)

* Applicants must successfully complete the admissions interview

MATH REQUIREMENT

* Applicants must successfully complete the Math Entrance Assessment with a minimum score of 20/40
* Domestic students that can provide a Canadian transcript showing completion of Math 10, 11, or 12 or equivalent; Post Secondary Math; with a passing grade of ‘C’ will be exempt from having to write the Math Entrance Assessment. The equivalent credential must be evaluated and verified.
* International students that can provide a Canadian transcript showing completion of Math 10, 11, or 12 or equivalent; Post Secondary Math; with a passing grade of ‘C’ will be exempt from having to write the Math Entrance Assessment. The equivalent credential must be evaluated and verified.

EDUCATION LEVEL (one of the following)

* Grade 12 or equivalent (GED, Adult Basic Education) with evidence of a ‘true certified copy’ or original transcript
* Mature student status (age 19 and one year out of high school)

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY POLICY

All programs at Sprott Shaw College (SSC) are conducted in English, making proficiency in the English language a requirement for enrollment.

The required proficiency can be demonstrated through 1) completion of secondary or post-secondary education where English is the language of instruction and is also one of the country’s official languages, or 2) An approved English Language Assessment, 3) For mature (≥ 19 years) students who are facing barriers and cannot access their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education.

SSC programs that have a higher English language level, require additional years of secondary or post-secondary education where English is the language of instruction, or where language proficiency is to be otherwise demonstrated, are identified within the relevant program outlines. For all other SSC programs, English language proficiency is demonstrated by:

1. EDUCATION

a) Secondary Education. Evidence of Successful Fulltime Secondary Education Completion*, where English is one of the principal languages of instruction:

i) Showing two (2) years, if all Grades successfully completed are 10, 11, or 12, or

ii) Showing three (3) years if the successful Grades are 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12, or

iii) Showing validation of both language of instruction and credential level is provided by WES, ICES or IQAS.

OR

b) Post- Secondary Education. Evidence of 2 years of full-time Post-Secondary Education Completion*, where English is one of the principal languages of instruction. Language development courses (i.e. ELL courses) cannot be included in this calculation.

* This may be demonstrated by providing a high school transcript, completion of a BC Adult Graduation program or providing validation of both language of instruction and credential level is provided by WES, ICES or IQAS.

Countries where English is the language of instruction:

American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saint Helena, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, United States Virgin Islands, Zambia, & Zimbabwe.

OR

2. ASSESSMENT

By achieving a recognized standardized language test/assessment. Approved English language assessment options.

• IELTS. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: Minimum overall score of 5.5.
• TOEFL. Test of English as a Foreign Language IBT: Minimum overall score of 46
• CAEL. Canadian Academic English Language Assessment. Minimum overall score of 40
• CELPIP (General) Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program: Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5 and Writing 5.
• DET. Duolingo English Test: Minimum overall score of 95
• PTE. Pearson Test of English Academic: Minimum overall score of 43
• Cambridge English Qualifications: Minimum overall score of 160 or “C”
• Cambridge Linguaskill: Minimum overall B2 level
• LANGUAGECERT Academic: Minimum overall B2 level
• MET. The Michigan English Test: Minimum overall B2 level
• iTEP Academic: Minimum overall score of 3.5
• EIKEN: Minimum placement of Grade Pre-1

OR

3. ACCUPLACER

For mature (≥ 19 years) students who are facing barriers and cannot access their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education. Applicant must be 19 years or older at the start of the program and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and provides attestation that they have completed at least three years of full-time of secondary or post-secondary instruction in English in a country where the English is one of the principal languages (please refer to Countries where English is the language of instruction).

Accuplacer English Assessment (Next Generation) and achieves the following minimum scores required:

• Reading: 230
• Writing: 230
• WritePlacer: 4

Certificate Requirements

* Successful completion of all courses with a minimum of a 60% overall average.

CPR, First Aid and WHMIS will be completed during the program.

Contact Us Today!

Our advisors are happy to answer any questions.

Courses List

This 33 week Certificate program requires the student to complete the following courses.

  • This course provides students with an understanding of the fundamental features and functions of word processing, and a widely used word processing software application.
  • Students will learn how to create, edit, format, and manage documents efficiently using Word's powerful tools and capabilities. Topics covered include document creation and navigation, text formatting, paragraph and page layout, working with tables and graphics, document collaboration, and advanced features such as mail merge and templates.
  • By the end of the course, students will be equipped with the essential skills and proficiency needed to create professional-quality documents for various purposes, including reports, letters, resumes, and presentations.

  • This course equips students with fundamental skills and knowledge necessary to proficiently navigate and utilize spreadsheet applications.
  • Students will learn to create, edit, analyze, and visualize data using a wide array of features and functions. Topics covered include spreadsheet navigation, data entry and formatting, formula and function creation, data analysis and visualization, and spreadsheet management techniques. By the end of the course, students will be able to confidently manipulate and analyze data, create professional-grade spreadsheets.

  • Learn effective study skills, time management, and goal setting.
  • Understand college policies, technology, and expectations.
  • Apply organization, writing, and citation techniques.
  • Develop self-care and stress-management strategies for success.

  • Research, prepare and deliver presentations
  • Apply proper use of grammar principles
  • Overview of processes of communication in the workplace
  • Use MS Office PowerPoint

  • Importance of written communication within the business environment
  • Memos, email, letters and reports

  • Effective customer service and support
  • Problem-solving theory and applications

  • Anatomy and physiology as related to the body systems
  • Associate pathological conditions with the body systems
  • Define Pharmacology and related terminology
  • Identify all standard medical abbreviations
  • WHMIS Certification

  • This introductory course introduces the students to the profession of pharmacy in Canada.
  • The history of medicine and pharmacy will be reviewed to help understand the evolution of the roles in pharmacy, emphasizing Pharmacy Assistant.

This course introduces some basic pharmacology principles with emphasis on drugs used for prevalent diseases in the community setting.

  • This course provides students with the necessary math skills to work as a Pharmacy Assistant in a pharmacy.

  • KROLL® is a pharmacy software application that is commonly used in community pharmacies.
  • It is a user-friendly program with options that help deliver optimal care to the patient.

  • This course emphasizes the role of the Pharmacy Assistant in the community pharmacy.
  • The students learn the dispensing process, dispensing techniques, packaging medications, compliance, packaging and related third party billing.

  • This course introduces both non-sterile and sterile compounding, they will learn the reasons for compounding and the necessary precautions.

Strategies for Student Success:

  • Interview techniques
  • Create a Career Development Marketing Plan
  • Apply aspects of professionalism
  • Identify target markets and employment resources

Career Opportunities

Clinical Pharmacy Assistant
Diabetic Meter Assistant
Health Care Consultant
Retail Pharmacy Assistant
* Pharmacy Assistant was reviewed and approved by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
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