Pharmacy Technical Assistance

Code	5841
Diploma	DVS
Sector	Health Services
Length of training	1230 hours
Number of credits	82
Status	Program approved in 2013. In effect until June 30th, 2024.

This program is offered in French:
5341 - Assistance technique en pharmacie

Training

Admission conditions and prerequisites

Organizations
offering
the program

At a glance

Useful links
and videos

Program Objectives

The Pharmacy Technical Assistance program prepares a person to practice the trade of pharmacy technical assistance in a health establishment as well as in a community pharmacy.

The pharmacy technical assistant (PTA) works under the supervision of a pharmacist and assists in filling prescriptions, managing patient files and performs work-related technical tasks related to preparing medications.

Program Content

Code	Statement of Competency	Hours	Credits
746-012	Analyze the occupation	30	2
746-025	Perform pharmaceutical calculations	75	5
746-032	Observe the laws, regulations ans standards governing the practice of the occupation	30	2
746-047	Identify non-parenteral drugs and their characteristics	105	7
746-052	Take occupational health and safety precautions	30	2
746-063	Use pharmaceutical applications software for community pharmacies	45	3
746-073	Use pharmaceutical applications software for health care institutions	45	3
746-085	Do a practicum in the workplace	75	5
746-094	Perform customer service activities	60	4
746-104	Identify the characteristics of parenteral drugs	60	4
746-112	Make non-sterile preparations	30	2
746-129	Fill prescriptions in a community pharmacy	135	9
746-139	Fill prescriptions in a health care institution	135	9
746-143	Manage inventory	45	3
746-158	Make sterile preparations	120	8
746-167	Perform work-related tasks in a community pharmacy	105	7
746-177	Perform work-related tasks in a health care institution	105	7
		1230	82

Admission Conditions and Prerequisites

To be eligible for admission to this program, candidates must meet one of the following requirements:

Persons holding a Secondary School Diploma or its recognized equivalent, for example, an Attestation of Equivalence of Secondary V studies, or a postsecondary diploma such as the Diploma of College Studies or a Bachelor's degree
OR
Persons who are at least 16 years of age on September 30 of the school year in which their training is to begin and have earned the Secondary IV credits in language of instruction, second language and mathematics in the programs of study established by the Minister, or have been granted recognition for equivalent learning
OR
Persons who are at least 18 years of age upon entry into the program and have the following functional prerequisites: the successful completion of the General Development Test (see the following table), or recognition of equivalent learning
OR
Persons who have obtained Secondary III credits in language of instruction, second language and mathematics in programs established by the Minister are required to pursue general education courses, concurrently with their vocational training, in order to obtain the Secondary IV credits they lack in language of instruction, second language and mathematics in programs established by the Minister.

Functional Prerequisites

A person who has reached the age of 18 can be admitted to a program of study leading to a Diploma of vocational studies (DVS) based on functional prerequisites. These prerequisites, in place for those aged at least 18 years at the start date declared for the vocational training program, are: successful completion of the general development test (GDT) and obtaining and passing the tests relative to the specific prerequisites in the language of instruction and mathematics, if applicable.

This table indicates the new course codes for common core basic education (CCBE) and diversified basic education (DBE) required for the specific prerequisites in language of instruction and mathematics for the targeted program of study. In the cases where the new course codes for the CCBE and the DBE are in progressive implementation, the old codes are indicated in parenthesis and are still valid. The equivalent course codes in basic education in the youth sector are also indicated in the table. When a DVS does not require any specific prerequisites in language of instruction or in mathematics, a (-) will be displayed in the appropriate field. Please note that the functional prerequisites do not apply to attestation of vocational specialty (AVS) programs.

Specific Prerequisites

Language of instruction		Second language		Mathematics
Adults	Youth	Adults	Youth	Adults	Youth
ENG-3101-1 et ENG-3102-2 ou (ENG-3070-3)	632-306 ou (630-316)	-	-	-	-

Educational Organizations Offering the Program

Region

Region:

Schedule:

All

Day

Evening

Specifics:

Capitale-Nationale

Legend

Places available
Admission by waiting list
Course full

CS Central Québec

Vocational Training Centre	Group	Status	D/E	Start Date
C.F. Eastern Québec	PTA2425		D	To be determined

Montérégie

Legend

Places available
Admission by waiting list
Course full

Riverside SB

Vocational Training Centre	Group	D/E	Start Date
ACCESS Career Centre	RAC-PTA	D/E	Continuous entry
	PTA2509	D	To be determined
	PTA241021	D	Oct. 21st, 2024

Montréal

Legend

Places available
Admission by waiting list
Course full

Collège supérieur de Montréal (C.S.M.) inc.

Vocational Training Centre	Group	Status	D/E	Start Date
Collège supérieur de Montréal (C.S.M.) inc.	—	—	—	—

English-Montréal SB

Vocational Training Centre	Group	Status	D/E	Start Date
Shadd Health and Business Centre/Centre d'études commerciales Shadd	J5124		D	To be determined

Lester-B.-Pearson SB

Vocational Training Centre	Group	D/E	Start Date
Career Development Services	PHARM 2021	D/E	Periodic entry
Pearson Adult and Career Centre	PHSEP24	D	Sept. 3rd, 2024
	PHAPR25	D	Apr. 23rd, 2025

Pharmacy Technical Assistance

Pharmacy technical assistants greet clients and answer their inquiries. Under pharmacist supervision, they fill prescriptions. They keep client files up to date in databases, perform transactions at the register and maintain inventory. They may also work in medical clinics. This is an essential trade in high demand. A job as a pharmacy technical assistant requires discretion, respect and honesty. It is suitable for people with good listening skills who like to work in a team.