Pharmacy Technical Assistance

Program objectives

The Pharmacy Technical Assistance program prepares students to practise the occupation of pharmacy technical assistant. Pharmacy technical assistants (PTAs) may work in community pharmacies or pharmacies in health care institutions.

PTAs support pharmacists in tasks related to the medication circuit and assist them in patient management. Under the responsibility of pharmacists, they process prescriptions and requests in various work environments, package medications, prepare sterile and non-sterile preparations, and carry out activities related to the dispensing and distribution of medications. They also perform activities related to inventory maintenance and control as well as related tasks such as document production and participation in special projects. In addition, they may collaborate in risk management activities and the training of peers. Finally, the task of performing container/content verification of medications may be delegated to PTAs.

PTAs use computer equipment, pharmacy software, automated and specialized equipment, and various technologies to perform the various tasks associated with the steps in the medication circuit. Their work requires communication and teamwork skills in an interprofessional setting. PTAs must also ensure that they prevent infection and contamination as well as health, safety and environmental hazards. To do so, they must comply with current laws, regulations and standards.

Targeted professions (find out more about a trade or an occupation on Québec.ca)

Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health) (3219)

Admission conditions

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

This section identifies the modules or course codes for the actual programs of study in adult general education that are specific prerequisites in language of instruction and mathematics. Functional prerequisites includes the successful completion of specific prerequisites as well as the general development test (TDG). When a DVS doesn't require specific prerequisites in language of instruction or in mathematics, a dash ( - ) is displayed in the appropriate cell. For programs that lead to an AVS, specific prerequisites and the TDG do not apply (N/A).

Program content