Dispensary Technician
Interest in assisting pharmacists by labelling drugs, chemicals and other pharmaceutical preparations, and by unpacking and storing supplies and verifying items received against invoices
Interest in compiling information to compound, mix and formulate ointments, solutions, lotions, mouthwashes and other medications under the supervision of pharmacists
Interest in handling scales, weights and measures to ensure correct amounts of ingredients are present in formulas and prescriptions
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Pharmacy technicians work under the direction of a pharmacist. Their duties and responsibilities vary depending on where they work (in a hospital or community pharmacy). In general, they:
Other responsibilities depend on the setting. For example, in community pharmacies, pharmacy technicians may:
In hospital settings, they may:
In addition to the duties and responsibilities listed above, technicians may:
Pharmacy technicians may be required to work shifts including evenings, weekends and holidays, sometimes under stressful conditions. The work is demanding because it requires both accuracy and efficiency to ensure patient safety; there is no room for error.
Pharmacy technicians are on their feet for most of their shift. They may be required to lift and move objects that weigh up to 10 kilograms.
Pharmacy technicians must be able to perform routine tasks while maintaining a high degree of concentration and attention. They also need the following characteristics:
They should enjoy having clear rules and organized methods for their work, compiling information and using computers.
The minimum education requirement for pharmacy technicians is a certificate or diploma from a training program accredited by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP).
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Prospective pharmacy technicians are advised to check the CCAPP website to ensure the program they intend to take is accredited.
Pharmacy technicians work under the direction of pharmacists to promote safe and effective drug distribution. They may gather and store prescription and patient information, repackage products, compound and dispense drugs, manage inventory or teach the practice of pharmacy technicians.
Under Alberta's Health Professions Act and Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians Profession Regulation, registration with the Alberta College of Pharmacists (ACP) is mandatory if you meet identified competency requirements and provide professional services directly to the public. Registered members, who are authorized by the College, provide restricted activities specified in the Regulation. Only registered members may call themselves Pharmacy Technicians, Pharmacy Technologists, Dispensary Technicians or Dispensary Technologists.
Registration requires: (1) a certificate or diploma from a training program approved by the Council of the Alberta College of Pharmacists, (2) successful completion of a structured practical training program for pharmacy technicians, and (3) successful completion of examinations approved by the Council. Applicants who have been out of practice for a period of time also may have to demonstrate that they are currently competent to practice. For official, detailed information about registration requirements, contact ACP or visit the ACP website.
Pharmacy technicians who are registered and in good standing with a regulatory organization elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for registration in Alberta if registered pharmacy technicians in the two jurisdictions have similar responsibilities and competencies. For more information, see "What if I am already certified in another province or territory?" and the Alberta regulatory authority (below).
Alberta College of Pharmacists
1100, 8215 - 112 Street
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T6G 2C8
Phone number: 780-990-0321
Toll-free phone number: 1-877-227-3838
Fax number: 780-990-0328
Website: www.pharmacists.ab.ca
Above-average occupational growth is expected in Alberta for 2016 to 2020. Job openings are a result of employment turnover and newly created positions.
Most pharmacy technicians are employed in community pharmacies or hospital or medical centre pharmacies. Some are employed by health insurance companies, third party billing centres (for example, Alberta Blue Cross) or related organizations such as pharmaceutical companies, drug wholesalers and pharmacy supply companies.
Depending on the size and nature of the organization, experienced pharmacy technicians may advance to supervisory positions.
Pharmacy technicians are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 3219: Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health). In Alberta, 95% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Over 7,700 Albertans are employed in the Other assisting occupations in support of health services occupational group. This group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.2% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 246 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As pharmacy technicians form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for pharmacy technicians.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
For information about current collective agreements in the public and not-for-profit sectors, see the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website.
Pharmacy Technician are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 3219: Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health).
According to the 2015 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health) occupational group earned on average from $15.97 to $22.99 an hour. The overall average wage was $19.86 an hour. For more information, see the Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health) wage profile.
Alberta College of Pharmacists website: www.pharmacists.ab.ca
Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) website: www.ccapp-accredit.ca
Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: www.hsaa.ca
Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) website: www.pebc.ca
Pharmacy Technician Society of Alberta (PTSA) website: www.pharmacytechnicians.ab.ca
For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.
Updated Apr 11, 2014. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.