Pharmacy Technician National Bridging Education Program
/ Programme Passerelle National de Formation de
Technicien(ne) en PharMacl sekiicca/orecoriaging

COURSE OF STUDIES

Pharmacology

Course Name Credit

PTECB 130 Pharmacology Online 2
Total 2

Product Preparation

Course Name Credit

PTECB 131 Product Preparation Online 2
Total 2

Management of Drug Distribution Systems

Course Name Credit

PTECB 132 Management of Drug Distribution Systems Online 3
Total 3

Professional Practice

Course Name Credit

PTECB 133 Professional Practice Online 3
Total 3

Program Summary

The National Pharmacy Technician Bridging Education
Program was developed to assist individuals already
working in the role of pharmacy technician to upgrade
their skills to align with changes in the scope of
practice, without returning to school to complete

an entire training program. The ultimate goal is a
national strategy that will enable regulated pharmacy
technicians to re-locate and work anywhere in Canada,
without the need to re-qualify. The development of
consistent competency requirements and standards
enables the regulated pharmacy technician to carry
out and be accountable for technical responsibilities
related to pharmacy practice.

FOUR PROGRAM COURSES
— Professional Practice (39 Hours)

— Product Preparation (33 hours)
— Pharmacology (33 hours)

— Management of Drug Distribution Systems
(39 hours)

selkirk.ca/programs

PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT & RECOGNITION

Pharmacy technicians may be able to demonstrate the
necessary competencies addressed in one or more

of the Bridging courses. As a result, a Prior Learning
Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) Challenge
Examination process has been established to enable
candidates to earn educational credit for what they
already know.

Three of the four Bridging Program courses are PLAR-
eligible. The Professional Practice course is mandatory
for all participants and is not eligible for PLAR since

it provides an essential foundation for the pharmacy
technician’s new and expanded role. See the course
descriptions for more information on PLAR.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Bridging Education Program was developed

and introduced in Ontario in 2008, and then adapted
for use in Alberta and British Columbia in 2010.
However, as more and more provinces began the
steps towards regulating pharmacy technicians, it
became clear that a national curriculum was needed
to support consistency in the knowledge and skills
of all pharmacy technicians across Canada in order

LENGTH OF STUDY:
Each course is 11-13 weeks online

CAMPUS:
Online

to facilitate labour mobility. Thus, in 2012, NAPRA
secured funding from the Government of Canada’s
Inter-provincial Labour Mobility Initiative to revise the
existing bridging programs in Alberta, British Columbia
and Ontario in order to create a program that was
more suitable for national delivery. The ultimate

goal is a national strategy that will enable regulated
pharmacy technicians to re-locate and work anywhere
in Canada, without the need to re-qualify. Delivery
partners for Pharmacy Technician Bridging Education
include the Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities in all
participating jurisdictions.

The program is designed to provide current pharmacy
technicians with the knowledge, skills and abilities
necessary to take on the additional job responsibilities
of a regulated technician. Selkirk College will offer
each course online.

Admission Requirements

Although regulation of pharmacy technicians is not
currently in place in all jurisdictions/provinces, it is
anticipated that completion of Bridging Education will
be a mandatory requirement for individuals intending
to pursue registration/licensure in any Canadian
jurisdiction/province.

Before taking any of the Bridging courses, candidates
are advised to contact the Pharmacy Regulatory
Authority (PRA) in their jurisdiction to determine if
Bridging is required and to identify any additional
requirements that may impact their eligibility or
suitability to complete the Bridging Program. In
some jurisdictions there may be time limits or
pre-registration requirements that they need to know
about first.

Note: Requirements and completion sequence vary
from one jurisdiction to another.

Details on registration/licensure requirements in
specific jurisdictions are available on each PRA’s

web site. It is the students’ responsibility to ensure
that they meet the applicable registration/licensure
requirements in their jurisdiction. Students who do
not meet the eligibility criteria or deadlines in their
jurisdiction may jeopardize their ability to continue
with the registration/licensure process. A list of PRAS
in the various provinces and territories of Canada is
available on the NAPRA website.

Selkirk College Academic Calendar 2017-18 185