Pharmacy Technician Bridging Program
Each module is 11-13 weeks online at Castlegar
Delivered with the following methods: Online
The Bridging Pharmacy Technician Program is availabe online at Selkirk College, Castlegar or UBC.
Program Calendar
Current Offerings
Winter- Spring 2012
- PTEC 130 Pharmacology – 11 weeks Jan 30th – April 13th
- PTEC 131 Product Prep – 11 weeks Feb 6th – April 20th
- PTEC 132 Management of Drug Distribution – 13 weeks Feb 27th – May 25th
- PTEC 133 Professional Practice -13 weeks Feb 20th – May 18th
Summer 2012
- PTEC 130 Pharmacology – 11 weeks June 4th – Aug 17th
- PTEC 131 Product Prep – 11 weeks June 4th – Aug 17th
- PTEC 132 Management of Drug Distribution – 13 weeks June 4th – Aug 31st
- PTEC 133 Professional Practice -13 weeks June 4th – Aug 31st
Fall 2012
- PTEC 130 Pharmacology – 11 weeks Sept 10th – Nov 23rd
- PTEC 131 Product Prep – 11 weeks Sept 10th – Nov 23rd
- PTEC 132 Management of Drug Distribution – 13 weeks Sept 10th - Dec 7th
- PTEC 132 Professional Practice -13 weeks Sept 10th - Dec 7th
Winter 2013
- PTEC 130 Pharmacology – 11 weeks Jan 7th – March 22nd
- PTEC 131 Product Prep – 11 weeks Jan 7th – March 22nd
- PTEC 132 Management of Drug Distribution – 13 weeks Jan 7th – April 5th
- PTEC 133 Professional Practice -13 weeks Jan 7th – April 5th
Program Summary
The BC Pharmacy Technician Bridging Program has been designed to assist pharmacy technicians currently working in the profession to meet new regulatory requirements and expanded practice capabilities defined in the Health Professions Act, the Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act and the Pharmacists Regulation and Bylaws of the College of Pharmacists of BC (June 2010).
The Pharmacy Technician Bridging PLAR Online Application is available to pharmacy assistants who feel they have the knowledge and skills needed to challenge a bridging module through an examination. Assessment of this knowledge and skills is available with a PLAR exam for 3 of the Pharmacy Technician Bridging program Modules.
PTECB 130, PTECB 131 and PTECB 132 are all eligible for PLAR.
Program Objectives
The Pharmacy Technician Bridging Program is divided into 4 modules;
- PTECB 130, Pharmacology (33 hours)
- PTECB 131, Product Preparation (33 hours)
- PTECB 132, Management of Drug Distribution Systems (39 hours)
- PTECB 133, Professional Practice (39 hours).
The program is designed to provide current technicians with the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to take on the additional job responsibilities of a regulated technician. Selkirk College will offer each module online. It is important to note that successful completion of the 4 modules from any BC provider qualifies the student to take the PEBC Qualifying Examinations.
To receive the Selkirk College credential of Associate Certificate for the Pharmacy Technician Bridging Program a student must complete two of the 4 modules from Selkirk College. However, students are welcome to complete any number of the modules from Selkirk College.
Admission Requirements
Prior to registering for the Pharmacy Technician Bridging modules, a pharmacy technician must pre-register with the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia (CPBC). The CPBC pre-registration form can be found on the CPBC website.
Career Potential
With the completion of the 4 bridging modules, current technicians can move onto the next steps to become a Regulated Pharmacy Technician. To see the steps to regulation please visit the College of Pharmacist of BC site for more details.
The expanded role for Regulated Pharmacy Technicians in both community and hospital environments continues to emerge as a result of the regulation process. Regulated Pharmacy Technicians are well poised to take on a number of technical responsibilities within the pharmacy environment as the demand for pharmacy services increases.
Approximate Expenses
Total program expenses are comprised of both College Fees and Program Specific Fees.
Important Notice
All students in Pharmacology 130 only need to have the following textbook for this course. You can order it online from amazon.ca or similar website.
Moscou K, Snipe K. Pharmacology for Pharmacy Technicians 2009 ISBN: 978-0-323-04720-3
Program Courses
Course of Studies
Translation key:
- Crd = Credits
- Ttl = Total course hours
Courses marked as (D) are available via Distance Education.
| Course | Name | Cred | Ttl |
|---|---|---|---|
| (D) | Pharmacology | 2 | 33 |
| (D) | Product Preparation | 2 | 33 |
| (D) | Management of Drug Distribution Systems | 3 | 39 |
| (D) | Professional Practice | 3 | 39 |
| Total: | 10 | 144 | |
PTECB 130 Pharmacology
This course provides a practical, applied approach to pharmacology. Through a variety of learning tools such as assignments, quizzes, case studies and group work, the student will enhance his/her ability to practice competently and contribute to a safe patient care setting. Participants will gain basic knowledge related to the pharmacological uses of drugs within a variety of commonly encountered medical conditions.
For more information click on
Prerequisites:
Currently a Pharmacy Technician and registered with the College of Pharmacists of BC.
This course is available via Distance Education.
PTECB 131 Product Preparation
This course addresses the theoretical knowledge and practical skills essential for safe and accurate preparation of sterile and non-sterile pharmaceutical products. For non-sterile preparation, students will focus on compounding practices for various internal and external preparations and specialty dosage forms, equipment and tools, professional guidelines, standards and legislation, pharmaceutical calculations, and documentation requirements. For sterile product preparation, areas of emphasis include infection control, aseptic technique, parenteral dosage forms, accurate calculations, appropriate use of equipment, and quality control. Best practices associated with the preparation of Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) and antineoplastics are also covered.
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Product Preparation PLAR - Either before or after the PLAR exam, a pharmacy technician must complete two components (extemporaneous and sterile) and have their work checked and signed by an assessor. This signed checklist must be submitted to the College of Pharmcists of BC.
- Information about the compounding checklists - CPBC compounding checklist - CPBC compounding checklist
Prerequisites:
Currently a Pharmacy Technician and registered with the College of Pharmacists of BC.
This course is available via Distance Education.
PTECB 132 Management of Drug Distribution Systems
This course will examine various drug distribution systems in pharmacy practice, and prepare learners to effectively manage operations in different practice settings to ensure safe and effective drug supply and distribution. Learners will explore distributive functions in institutional settings, as well as common drug plans and their formularies, adjudication challenges, inventory management elements and common business practices. Accurate product release within the parameters of the pharmacy technician role receives special emphasis.
There will be a structured practical evaluation following theManagement of Drug Distribution Systems PLAR (and managed by the College of Pharmacists of BC) to verify the learners ability to consistently perform accurate product release in the workplace (independent double check). The Structured Practical Evaluation (SPE) is managed by the College of Pharmacists of BC. Details for this evaluation can be found on the College of Pharmacist website.
For more information click on
Prerequisites:
Currently a Pharmacy Technician and registered with the College of Pharmacists of BC.
This course is available via Distance Education.
PTECB 133 Professional Practice
Students will be prepared for entry to practice in five main areas of focus: legal requirements, scope of practice, ethical principles, professionalism and communication skills. Through a variety of learning tools such as interactive case studies, assignments, quizzes and group work, the student will enhance his/her ability to practice competently within the professional practice framework. The final examination in this course meets the jurisprudence examination requirement of the College of Pharmacists of BC. This course is mandatory and does not qualify for PLAR challenge.
For more information click on
Prerequisites:
Currently a Pharmacy Technician and registered with the College of Pharmacists of BC.
This course is available via Distance Education.
Staff
The following staff are associated with this program:
