Pharmacy Assistant

CampusStart DateTuition/Fees
Saint JohnSeptember 2025 (Blended Delivery) Offered every other year / Application opens Fall 2024 Domestic | International
MonctonSeptember 2024 (Blended Delivery) Domestic | International
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Program Overview

Local pharmacies are a critical link in the healthcare chain. And in almost every pharmacy, you’ll find pharmacy assistants working as part of a team to make sure people in the community get the medications they need. From managing records to processing prescriptions and providing excellent customer service, we help people feel comfortable and cared for every day. If you’re interested in starting a career in healthcare, there are plenty of paths to achieving your dream. Becoming a pharmacy assistant could be yours. 

In our Pharmacy Assistant program, you’ll learn the medical and administrative skills to contribute to effective pharmacy operations. Specific areas of study include anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, communication skills, pharmacy law and ethics, pharmacy calculations, non-sterile compounding techniques, long-term care pharmacy, receiving and entering a prescription, pharmacy software, inventory, and third-party billing. During your studies, you’ll learn skills in lab sessions that occur on campus, and through a work practicum period in the field. When you graduate, you’ll be ready for anything that comes your way on the job.

Duration

The requirements for this certificate may be achieved within one year of full-time study. 
 

Admission Requirements

    Profile K

  • High School Diploma or Adult High School Diploma or GED Diploma of High School Equivalency or Essential Skills Achievement Pathway: Post-Secondary Entry High School Diploma
    • Foundations of Mathematics 110
      or
      Geometry and Applications in Mathematics 112 and Functions and Relations 112
      • Biology 112 or 122
        • Chemistry 112 or 122

          NB Francophone High School Math Equivalencies
          International Student Admission Equivalencies

          Career Possibilities

          Our graduates gain the broad range of skills and knowledge required for success in busy pharmacy settings. You could find employment in a community pharmacy. Some graduates also work directly for pharmaceutical distributors or insurance companies. Others choose to continue their education to become pharmacy technicians.

          Find career possibilities related to this program in Career Coach.

          Specific Considerations

          Prior to, or during an applied workplace experience, Host Agencies may require:

          Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector checks

          Host agencies require students to provide a current criminal record check and/or vulnerable sector check from a recognized police service in order to be considered for an applied workplace experience. Please note: An up-to-date (less than 6 months old) criminal record check is necessary before a student can participate in practicum. Individuals who have been convicted criminally and not pardoned may be prohibited from proceeding to a work placement. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that he or she is eligible to participate.

          College Immunization and Medical form

          Students will be asked to submit proof of specific immunizations prior to commencement of training.  Any associated costs are at the students' expense. The form can be accessed through the following link: https://documents.nbcc.ca/FileCSSearch.ashx?Id=1119.4985 (pdf)

          Mandatory Clearance Requirements

          To protect the health and safety of students during their clinical/practicum placements, as well as anyone they may encounter, students will be obligated to complete mandatory clearance requirements as a part of the process of being assigned a placement. There will be a cost associated with completing these requirements, which has been calculated as part of the Material Cost of this program. Students who do not complete the requirements will be unable to attend their clinical/practicum placements, which could impact eligibility for the required courses or industry facility visits needed to complete their program. See Clinical/Practicum Placement Requirements for more details.
           
          Living accommodations must be secured, and paid for, by the student

          You may be expected to travel to practicum sites outside the campus area, and potentially around the province. Costs incurred for travel and accommodation are at your own expense.
           
          Student must adhere to a dress code (e.g.: wearing a uniform) Students must adhere to employer policies.

          There are irregular work hours, including evenings and weekends.
           
          Technology Requirements
          NBCC is a connected learning environment. All programs require a minimum specification, including access to the internet and a laptop. Your computer should meet your program technology requirements to ensure the software required for your program operates effectively. Free wifi is provided on all campuses.

          Note to International Applicants
          International applicants, or those that present with international credentials, must provide proof of English proficiency, as per the benchmarks listed here. Please note that this is a higher standard than most other programs at NBCC.

          Areas of Study

          • anatomy and physiology
          • pharmacology
          • communication skills
          • pharmacy law and ethics
          • pharmacy calculations
          • pharmacy software
          • non-sterile compounding techniques

          Program Courses

          Course curriculum for this program is still under development. Once the courses have been finalized, they will be posted here. Courses are subject to change.

          Disclaimer: This web copy provides guidance to prospective students, applicants, current students, faculty and staff. Although advice is readily available on request, the responsibility for program selection ultimately rests with the student. Programs, admission requirements and other related information is subject to change.

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