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.

Program Content

Code Statement of Competency Hours Credits
746-202 Determine their suitability for the occupation and the training process 30 2
746-213 Comply with the laws, regulations, standards and ethics governing pharmacies 45 3
746-222 Interpret prescription information 30 2
746-236 Establish connections between non-parenteral drugs and therapeutic indications 90 6
746-244 Use digital tools in a pharmacy setting 60 4
746-253 Perform calculations related to prescriptions 45 3
746-262 Prevent damage to health and safety at work and to the environment 30 2
746-274 Prevent infections and contamination 60 4
746-283 Perform calculations related to preparations 45 3
746-292 Communicate in the workplace 30 2
746-304 Establish connections between parenteral drugs and therapeutic indications 60 4
746-317 Perform activities related to assisting with patient management 105 7
746-325 Operate pharmacy equipment 75 5
746-337 Fill prescriptions in community pharmacies 105 7
746-347 Fill prescriptions and process requests in health care institutions 105 7
746-354 Carry out operations related to packaging 60 4
746-363 Perform operations related to maintaining and controlling inventory 45 3
746-373 Make non-sterile extemporaneous preparations 45 3
746-387 Make non-hazardous sterile preparations 105 7
746-392 Make hazardous sterile preparations 30 2
746-403 Carry out operations related to medication reconciliation (MR) 45 3
746-413 Perform container/content verification and dispense drugs 45 3
746-424 Carry out operations related to the distribution of drugs 60 4
746-438 Integrate into the workplace of health care institutions 120 8
746-448 Integrate into the workplace of community pharmacies 120 8
1590 106

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 instructionSecond languageMathematics
AdultsYouthAdultsYouthAdultsYouth
ENG-2102-4 ou (ENG-2061-3)632-206 or (632-212)--MTH-2101-3 ou (MTH-2006-2)563-226 ou (563-206)

Educational Organizations Offering the Program

Schedule:

Montérégie

Legend
Places available
Admission by waiting list
Course full
Riverside SB
Vocational Training Centre Group Status D/E Start Date
ACCESS Career Centre RAC- PTA D Periodic entry
PTA2509 D To be determined
PTA241021 D Oct. 21st, 2024

Montréal

Legend
Places available
Admission by waiting list
Course full
English-Montréal SB
Vocational Training Centre Group Status D/E Start Date
Shadd Health and Business Centre/Centre d'études commerciales Shadd B5125 D Feb. 17th, 2025
J5124 D Oct. 28th, 2024
Lester-B.-Pearson SB
Vocational Training Centre Group Status D/E Start Date
Pearson Adult and Career Centre PHAPR25 D Apr. 1st, 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.

Targeted Professions

Find out more about a trade or an occupation on Québec.ca

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

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