Pharmacy Technician Diploma at Bow Valley College - Program overview

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes

Last updated on 2025-07-09

Program overview

Program Overview

The Pharmacy Technician Diploma program at Bow Valley College is designed to equip students with the skills necessary to prepare compounds, sterile products, and dispense medications. This full-time program emphasizes practical experience through community and hospital practicum placements, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for the workforce. With a focus on hands-on training, students will gain valuable insights into the pharmacy profession, making them competitive candidates in the job market.

Program Structure

The Pharmacy Technician Diploma program is structured as follows:

Program Length: 4 Terms
Credits: The program includes a comprehensive curriculum that integrates both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Work Integrated Learning: Students will complete practicum placements in both community and hospital settings, which may require travel to various locations.
Lab Hours: Over 350 lab hours are included, providing students with hands-on experience in a state-of-the-art facility.
Accreditation: The program has Full Accreditation Status with the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP).

Students will also have the opportunity to engage in various shifts during their practicum, including day, evening, night, and weekend shifts, depending on the placement site.

Featured Experiences

Hands-on training in a world-class lab that simulates community and hospital pharmacy practice.
Access to cutting-edge technology, including certified sterile production hoods and a high-speed automated medication packager (PACMED®).
Integration of over 350 lab hours to ensure students are dispensary-ready upon graduation.
Practicum placements in both community and hospital pharmacies, providing real-world experience.
Work Integrated Learning placements that may occur outside the City of Calgary.

Career Options

Graduates of the Pharmacy Technician Diploma program can pursue various career opportunities in Canada, including:

Pharmacy Technician: Assist pharmacists in preparing and dispensing medications, ensuring accuracy and compliance with regulations.
Community Pharmacy Technician: Work in retail pharmacies, providing customer service and managing medication inventory.
Hospital Pharmacy Technician: Support hospital pharmacists in preparing sterile products and managing medication distribution within healthcare facilities.
Compounding Technician: Specialize in preparing customized medications for patients, including sterile and non-sterile compounds.
Medication Management Technician: Collaborate with healthcare teams to ensure safe and effective medication use among patients.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

Visit Bow Valley College official website

Last updated on 2025-07-09

Program overview

Academic Requirements

To apply for the Pharmacy Technician Diploma program at Bow Valley College, applicants must meet the following Academic Requirements:

High School Diploma or equivalent
Minimum 60% in:
- English 30-1, or 70% in English 30-2, or equivalent
- Math 30-1 or Math 30-2 or equivalent
- Biology 30 or equivalent
- Chemistry 30 or equivalent

Additionally, the following program recommendations are strongly advised:

A minimum keyboarding speed of 30 wpm
A working knowledge of personal computers, including general business applications and internet navigation
Basic math skills, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and conversion of fractions, percentages, decimals, ratios, problem-solving, and linear equations
Proficient manual dexterity
Detail-oriented with the ability to problem-solve and multi-task

Before starting practicum placements, students must fulfill the following pre-practicum requirements:

Current Police Information Check (PIC) with a Vulnerable Sector Search (VSS)
Proof of Rubella vaccination and full COVID-19 vaccination (mandatory for many sites)
All other immunizations are highly recommended and must be up-to-date for the duration of the program

Transcripts may be required to be evaluated by WES in some cases. For any clarification and support, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

Before you apply, make sure you meet the language proficiency requirements for your program. Bow Valley College teaches courses in Canadian English. To be admitted, you must demonstrate English proficiency, usually through high school or college transcripts or an English language test, depending on your program.

English language test results are valid for two (2) years from the day of testing. Results that expire before the program start date cannot be accepted. Official results must be submitted.

The following English language tests are accepted:

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
IELTS (International English Language Testing Service)
CLB (Canadian Language Benchmarks)
Duolingo
PTE (Pearson Test of English)
CELBAN (Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses)
CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program)
OET (Occupational English Test)

The English language requirements apply to all Bow Valley College programs except Health Care Aide Certificate, Pharmacy Technician Diploma, Practical Nurse Diploma, Recreation Therapy Aide Certificate, and Interdisciplinary Therapy Assistant Diploma, which have specific requirements listed below.

Pharmacy Technician Diploma

English proficiency requirements for Pharmacy Technician are changing, pending approval of the college's Board of Governors, to comply with 2024 National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities standards. These changes increase IELTS Academic requirement, remove the TOEFL exam, and introduce the Occupational English Test. Applicants for September 2025 will be evaluated on the following:

IELTS Academic:
- Reading: 7.0
- Listening: 7.0
- Speaking: 7.0
- Writing: 6.5
Occupational English Test (OET):
- Reading: B
- Listening: B
- Speaking: B
- Writing: C+
BVC Academic English 1: Not accepted
BVC Academic English 2: Not accepted
Canadian Language Benchmarks: Not accepted
PTE A (Pearson Test of English): Not accepted
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Not accepted

OR Graduation from a Canadian high school with three (3) years of study including three English language arts courses.

OR Graduation from a Canadian college, university, or CEGEP with three (3) years of study including three English language arts courses.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.

Not meeting the minimum language requirements?

You may still be able to apply!