"My teachers and classmates were very encouraging. I found the hands-on elements of the class to be the most helpful." - Latchmin S., CDI College Graduate
CDI College's Pharmacy Assistant diploma program is a customer-centered program that gives graduates the practical knowledge and skills needed to excel in a retail pharmacy environment. Graduates of this program will be prepared for pharmacy assisting jobs in community pharmacies.
Students gain a broad knowledge of anatomy, microbiology, physiology, and pharmacology, as well as computer skills. Communications and customer service skills for the retail work environment are also a focus of the program.
All students participate in a practicum placement at a community pharmacy in order to refine their pharmaceutical skills and gain hands-on work experience.
This program is 34 weeks in length.
Job Opportunities
- Community Pharmacies
Pharmacy Assistant - AB
Also offered in British Columbia as Pharmacy Assistant - BC At:
Abbotsford Burnaby Richmond Surrey Vancouver VictoriaAlso offered in Ontario as Pharmacy Assistant - Ontario At:
Ajax Hamilton Mississauga North York Scarborough TorontoProgram Courses
The program outline below is for Alberta . Click here to see the outlines for British Columbia and Ontario.
| Code | Course Name | Hours |
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- Students are introduced to the use of pharmacy software in dispensing medications and will become familiar with the various software screen shots. Students will be able to enter the required information for patient profiles and look up particular patient profiles. Students will also be able to create or update new drug files and doctor information, as well as the third party billing information. Adjudicating a prescription on-line will also be covered.
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- This component of the program is designed to introduce students to the structures and functions of the human body. Emphasis is placed on the various effects of the disease states of the body and the manner in which pharmaceutical products affect them.
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- Students will have the opportunity to review and discuss the final practicum placement. Simulated practice may be given in panel interviews as well as practice scenarios for the job interview. Students will update their resumes and cover letters. Students will have use of a Job Search lab which has unlimited Internet access, a job search resource library and a fax machine and phone for contacting prospective employers.
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- Students are introduced to dispensing techniques and procedures with a great deal of emphasis on the role of the pharmacy technician in relation to the role and responsibilities of the pharmacist in a retail pharmacy. Students become familiar with the fact that they must complete many of the technical duties so that the pharmacist is available primarily for patient care. The student is introduced to the prescription and all of its components and the computerized and manual system of preparation and maintenance of patient profiles, as well as completion of third party billings. The student will become skilled at how to completely fill a prescription in a laboratory setting. Pharmacy equipment and dispensing techniques will be demonstrated, explained and practiced in the lab. This course is designed to expose the student to general principles of efficient inventory management in the community pharmacy.
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- The student will review and practice the various mixing techniques and standards of commercial compounding and learn the necessity of, and limitations to, commercial compounding. Compounding will be taught through a combination of lectures, demonstrations and practical exercises. The student will become proficient at the use of torsion and electronic balances to accurately weigh ingredients to compound.
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- The Pharmacy Assistant program will be reviewed during this segment. Students will write a final exam in the last week of the Pharmacy Assistant program. The examination will include a practical component and a comprehensive theory exam. The practical exam includes all skills taught throughout the program. The theory exam is composed of approximately 300 comprehensive multiple-choice items.
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- This comprehensive course includes everything covered in Emergency First Aid and CPR as well as a wide range of other first aid topics that will provide participants with advanced knowledge and skills required to prevent further injury.
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- In this course, students learn various mechanisms of drug action and will gain an understanding of pharmacokinetic processes that affect drug/body interaction, the procedure for administration of pharmacologic agents, and will be able to identify major drugs by drug class. Students will learn about drug indications, therapeutic uses, side effects, administration routes and common dosages. Students will be exposed to the work and language of the Pharmacy Assistant and the context in which the Assistant’s work is performed. Current pharmaceutical care delivery systems and drug distribution systems are introduced.
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- This course covers working with the Windows operating system to manage files and folders and customize the desktop, creating documents, and using the Internet for communication and research.
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- Introduction to Pharmacy is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the pharmacy profession. This subject will introduce the student to the important role that they will play as a Pharmacy Technician. The student will review pharmacy history to see how pharmacies in general and their role as a technician have changed throughout the centuries. The profession of pharmacy as it is today will be examined from the context of the role of the pharmacy personnel, the structure of the various types of pharmacies that are in our society, and the laws, regulations and record keeping requirements governing the practice of pharmacy in the province.
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- This course is designed to equip students with interpersonal skills identified by employers as essential for success in the professional world. Using a variety of instructional methods including case studies, group exercises, and discussion, students learn and practice key communication skills.
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- This course will introduce students to skills and concepts that will help them achieve personal, academic, and career success.
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- On the job experience in the community setting is an essential component of the Pharmacy Assistant training service. It provides the physical and human resources by which the trainee may build on their knowledge and skills in the pharmaceutical setting. Practical experience helps develop the student’s understanding of employer expectations, permits involvement in the educational process for both pharmacists and pharmacy employees, and fosters a cooperative effort between college and professional pharmacists.