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Pharmacy Assistant

Course Delivery

Online theory with a small in-class component

Wages

Earn up to $26.95/hr in BC

Start & Duration

Start: October, February, & June

13 weeks

About the Career

Pharmacy Assistants keep community and hospital pharmacies running. They work side-by-side with Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians, supporting the safe and accurate preparation, packaging, and labeling of prescriptions, managing inventory, processing billing, and providing the front-line customer service that patients rely on. It's a detail-oriented, fast-paced role inside one of the most stable corners of healthcare.

Career Highlights:

  • Work alongside Pharmacists and other healthcare professionals
  • Roles available in community pharmacies and hospital pharmacies
  • Entry into healthcare in just 13 weeks
  • Strong demand driven by an aging population and a growing pharmacy sector
  • A practical first step toward further pharmacy or healthcare credentials

Potential Employers

Community pharmacies

Hospital pharmacies

About the Program

Stenberg College's Pharmacy Assistant Program is a 13-week certificate program that prepares you to support licensed Pharmacists in community and hospital pharmacy settings. You'll build foundational knowledge in medical terminology, prescription processing, inventory management, pharmacy software, billing, and customer service, the core skills employers expect on day one. You'll learn from instructors with real-world pharmacy experience, not just textbook knowledge.

The Stenberg College Pharmacy Assistant Program prepares graduates to:

  • Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes to meet industry expectations for practice as a Pharmacy Assistant.
  • Gain paid employment within the Pharmacy Assistant field within 6 months of graduation.

Accreditation and Recognition

Stenberg College is designated by the BC government's Ministry of Advanced Education through the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU). This program is approved by the PTIRU of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. PTIRU is responsible for setting standards of quality and ensuring consumer protection. Stenberg College has also received the BC government's Education Quality Assurance (EQA) designation, which is BC's brand or "seal" of quality post-secondary education for public and private institutions.

BC Education Quality Assurance designation PTIRU designated institution

Admission Requirements

PROGRAM-SPECIFIC ACADEMIC ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

  • Grade 12 graduation or Mature Student Status (19 years of age or older)
  • Grade 11-level English course or higher, or one of the following:
    Acceptable score in one of the approved LPR tests as noted below
    Accuplacer: Reading 230, Writing 230 and WritePlacer 4
    CLBPT: No component less than 6
    English challenge exam (minimum 70%)
  • Passing Stenberg College entrance examination for Math (minimum 70%) or the following in lieu:
    Evidence of any Math 10 or higher
  • Successful completion of the online Computer Skills Entrance Test (minimum 70%)
  • Completion of Stenberg College informational interview as part of the admissions procedure

English is the language of instruction at Stenberg College. Therefore, all applicants must demonstrate an adequate level of English proficiency to ensure success in any program and courses by meeting one of the following minimum requirements:

  • 1) Evidence of completion of 3 years of full-time Secondary if Grades 8-12, or 2 years of Secondary if Grades 10-12, or 2 years of Post-Secondary education in English in a country where English is one of the principal languages. (Language courses cannot be included in this calculation)
  • OR 2) Submit the results of one of the accepted English language proficiency tests at the score level specific to the program as listed in the admission requirements below:
    IELTS Academic – Overall band score of 6.0 with no component less than 5.5
    Duolingo – Overall score of 105 with no component less than 85
    CELPIP – Overall score of 7 with no component less than 6
    TOEFL – Minimum overall score of 68
    CAEL – Minimum overall score of 50
    Pearson PTE Academic - Minimum overall score of 50
  • OR 3) Mature students that are 19 years of age or older at the start of the program and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who cannot access their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education as outlined above can:
    a. Complete an English Language Attestation to confirm completion of 3 years of full-time instruction in English in a country where English is one of the principal languages, AND
    b. Complete an Accuplacer Next Generation English Assessment with minimum scores of: Reading 230, Writing 230 and WritePlacer 4

Evidence may be demonstrated by providing a high school transcript, completion of a provincial Adult Graduation program, permanent student record, GED, or by providing international education credentials confirming medium of instruction in English as recognized through WES, ICES, or IQAS. Alternatively, where 2 years of post-secondary education are being determined based on credits, it is expected that the student has taken studies with a minimum of 18 credits per academic year and/or indicates completion of a minimum of 36 credits in total. For regulated programs, language proficiency requirements, including permitted tests and scores dictated by the regulatory body, will supersede all else.

Student Diversity

Stenberg supports diversity in our student population, and we hold one seat per program for a self-identified Indigenous applicant who meets admission requirements. If the seat remains unfilled at 12 weeks prior to the program start, the seat will be released and offered to other qualified applicants.

Program Courses

Orientation & Student Success Skills

This course will provide a comprehensive orientation to Stenberg College and the program you are enrolled in. In addition to orienting you to Stenberg College resources, policies, and procedures, this course will explore the transition to postsecondary education, learning styles, critical thinking, and citation and referencing. You will undertake self-evaluation, set learning and study strategy goals, and investigate the resources available to support you in achieving those goals.

Medical Terminology

This course introduces the fundamental language of medicine with a focus on terminology related to body systems, common conditions, and medications. You will learn to interpret prefixes, suffixes, root words, and abbreviations that are widely used in pharmacy and healthcare environments. Emphasis is placed on applying terminology accurately in prescription preparation, documentation, and professional communication with patients and healthcare providers.

Introduction to the Community Pharmacy & Customer Service

In this course, you will be introduced to the role of the pharmacy assistant in a community pharmacy setting, with an emphasis on customer service and interpersonal skills. This course covers effective communication techniques for interacting with patients, pharmacy staff, and other healthcare professionals. You will explore ethical and professional standards, cultural sensitivity, and strategies for handling challenging customer interactions while maintaining patient confidentiality and safety.

Medication Dispensing, Handling, and Inventory Management

This course provides you with the foundational knowledge required to support prescription processing under the supervision of a pharmacist. Topics include safe and accurate preparation, packaging, and labeling of prescriptions, as well as inventory control practices and financial considerations related to pharmacy operations. You will gain practical experience in handling medications, maintaining stock levels, and applying quality assurance procedures that ensure patient safety and regulatory compliance.

Pharmacy Billing & Software

You will develop skills in pharmacy management software and billing systems used in community pharmacies. This course covers prescription entry, inventory tracking, patient profile management, and reporting functions within pharmacy software applications. You will also learn common billing procedures and third-party insurance processes, with a focus on accuracy, compliance, and customer support in resolving payment-related issues.

Superhost Foundations of Service Quality

A 6-hour in-person workshop.

Student Support

  • Academic tutoring
  • Assessment and skill development support
  • Open study skills tutorials
  • Typing practice support
  • One-on-one student support coaching sessions
  • English language learning support
  • Online learning resources
  • Online academic journals and databases
  • Campus life events

Stories from our Pharmacy Assistant grads

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