Overview
Pharmacy technicians perform technical functions relating to prescriptions including gathering patients' information, product preparation, product distribution and inventory control. They work closely with pharmacists to provide pharmaceutical care to clients. Pharmacy technicians are employed in retail and hospital pharmacies, long-term care facilities and by pharmaceutical manufacturers. Pharmacy technicians who are supervisors are included in this unit group.
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Assist pharmacists to maintain inventories of medications and prescription records of pharmaceutical products
Assess prescriptions for completeness and ensure information is accurate
Gather and enter client information in databases and prepare medications for clients in collaboration with pharmacists
Compound pharmaceutical products such as intravenous injections, oral solutions, ointments and creams
Process payment of prescriptions and other pharmacy services including direct billing to third party insurers
Provide instructions on how to use health aids, and medical devices such as drug administration devices and monitoring devices
May help with scheduling and workflow.
Employment prospects
Annual salary
$34,934
$43,798
$62,255
Job openings
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British Columbia
475expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
Employment requirements
Pharmacy technicians usually require a two-year pharmacy technician college program or completion of a two- to three-year college program in pharmaceutics and supervised practical training.
Completion of the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) certification exams is required for pharmacy technicians.
Registration with a regulatory body is required for pharmacy technicians in all provinces except Quebec.
Additional information
Pharmacy technicians may progress to supervisory positions with experience.
Certification requirements
Mandatory: You need the following certifications to practice as Pharmacy technicians in B.C.
- Registration with the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia - Pharmacy Technicians
- Certification through the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) - Pharmacy Technicians
Registration with the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia - Pharmacy Technicians
Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.
To work as a pharmacy technician in B.C. you must register with the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia. Eligibility is achieved by graduating from an accredited program and successfully completing the Pharmacy Board of Canada Qualifying Examinations.
Certification through the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) - Pharmacy Technicians
To work as a pharmacy technician in B.C., you must earn certification through the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC). Eligibility is achieved through completion of an accredited program and successful writing of the Pharmacist Technician Qualifying Examination.
Post-secondary programs in B.C.
Explore programs related to this career offered at post-secondary institutions in B.C.