MITT Strategic Plan 2022 - 2027Pharmacy Technician Diploma
In modern pharmacy practice, the pharmacy technician’s role is essential to meeting the ever-increasing demands for health care efficiency and improved patient experience. Today, pharmacy technicians are entrusted with assisting in preparing medications, collecting medical histories, and educating patients – all of which allow the pharmacist more time to focus on patient care.
For more general program information, please refer to the attached Frequently Asked Questions sheet, schedule an appointment with a Student Recruitment Coordinator to tour the Pharmacy Technician facilities, or attend the MITT Open House held each year in February.
Canadian Student
At A Glance
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Duration2 years full-time (20 months of study)
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CredentialDiploma
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work practicumYes
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Tuition1Paid each year of a 2-year program:
$7,266
1Tuition is estimated and subject to change. Refer to the chart below for more detailed program costs.
International Student
At A Glance
-
Duration2 years full-time (20 months of study)
-
CredentialDiploma
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work practicumYes
-
Tuition1Paid each year of a 2-year program:
$19,850
1Tuition is estimated and subject to change. Refer to the chart below for more detailed program costs.
Since 1987, the MITT Pharmacy Technician Program has prepared students to work collaboratively and competently with pharmacists and other healthcare professionals in a variety of pharmacy practice settings.
The diploma program curriculum – designed by specialized pharmacy experts to reflect the current scope of practice, as well as emerging health care trends and technologies – focuses on the core competencies of everyday pharmacy technician practice. It also aligns with the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) Accreditation Standards for Canadian Pharmacy Technician Programs. Through innovative curriculum and high-impact simulated learning experiences, students are prepared for career success in today’s ever-changing pharmacy environment.
Program learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Identify and implement sector-specific knowledge to day-to-day medication preparation and dispensing;
- Apply knowledge and research-based information while collaborating in the provision of safe, effective, and high-quality patient care;
- Communicate effectively with key stakeholders;
- Act responsibly and professionally, and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development;
- Collaborate with pharmacists and members of intra- and interprofessional health teams in the promotion of a healthier workplace, community, and environment; and
- Demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed to pursue registration with the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) and listing with the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba (CPhM) as a pharmacy technician.
Skills and characteristics of ideal candidates
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Technologically adaptable
- Able to follow instructions, retain information, and prioritize tasks
- Accountable
- Objective and factual
- Active listening skills, non-judgmental and empathetic
- Detail-oriented and organized
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
Strong math skills are an absolute must for pharmacy technicians, which is why this program emphasizes a zero tolerance for math errors. An essential part of the job involves performing calculations to determine dosages and quantities to prepare and dispense medications. The following sample questions reflect the types of calculations associated with these tasks.
Program completion
The Pharmacy Technician Diploma Program requirements must be completed within four years of admission to the program to be eligible for graduation.
Credit Transfer
MITT may consider credit transfer requests for courses completed at other accredited Canadian programs, excluding simulation or practice experience courses (refer to the MITT Credit Transfer Policy).
The MITT experience: Industry driven, Student focused and Sustainable outcomes
MITT’s two-year Pharmacy Technician Diploma Program is the most comprehensive program of its kind in Manitoba, with significantly more time dedicated to hands-on simulated learning (including compounding and dispensing activities and non-sterile and sterile extemporaneous product preparation). Students participate in laboratory activities and simulations in a newly constructed community and institutional pharmacy simulation space. These distinctive programming components, as well as the comparative tuition fee advantage, set this program apart.
Mission
Create a high-impact learning environment defined by industry relevant curriculum and differentiated by a quality-centric culture.
Vision
Advance pharmacy technician practice in Manitoba and empower future leaders in the pharmacy technician profession to achieve excellence.
Simulated learning environments
MITT has invested significantly in its simulation spaces (including a new community and institutional dispensary, a community pharmacy, a compounding laboratory, and functioning aseptic product preparation space) to offer students real-world institutional and community pharmacy experiences.
To prepare students to work effectively within an interdisciplinary healthcare team environment, the program includes a number of intraprofessional and interprofessional activities with other MITT health programs, the University of Manitoba and other educational institutions in Winnipeg.
Experienced instructors
Currency of knowledge and pharmacy practice are important values to MITT. The dynamic team of instructors includes licensed pharmacists and listed pharmacy technicians who specialize in community and institutional pharmacy practice.
Meet Our Team:
Jennifer Buffie, Lead Instructor
An accomplished academic, Jennifer graduated with a Bachelor of Science with distinction in 1999 and a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 2003 as the silver medalist. After a one-year pharmacy residency at the Ottawa Hospital through University of Toronto, she added a Bachelor of Education with distinction to her portfolio in 2006. Ongoing professional development has broadened this further with specialized certifications.
A practicing pharmacist with extensive institutional and community pharmacy experience, she actively contributes to future practice mandates as a Learning Review Panelist for the Canadian Council on Continuing Education in Pharmacy and on the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba Safety IQ Committee.
After assuming the Program Lead in 2017, Jennifer spearheaded a major program redesign and shepherded the Pharmacy Technician Program through successful program accreditation. Recognized for her academic leadership and contributions to quality programming, Jennifer earned the MITT President's Award of Excellence in 2019.
Emelié Gillingham, Program Instructor
Emelié is a listed Pharmacy Technician and a graduate of the MITT Pharmacy Technician program in addition to a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Winnipeg with studies in the faculty of Education. An active alumnus since graduation, Emelié began with the Pharmacy Technician Program Advisory Committee and transitioned to a role in curriculum development. Her agile creativity and passion for technology has shaped the experiential learning components within the program. As an instructor—Emelié focuses on the institutional side of pharmacy practice with a passion for quality assurance and safety culture, leveraging her breadth of practical experience to prepare her students for success.
Alysha Buck, Program Instructor
Alysha earned a Bachelor of Pharmacy (BSc Pharm) with distinction from the University of Manitoba in 2004. She has distinguished herself in community practice, earning a nomination for Shoppers Drug Mart Western Pharmacist of the Year within a year of graduation and later The North West Company President's Award for Leadership in 2017.
Transitioning from clinical practice into a leadership role, she became the Director of Pharmacy Operations at The Northwest Company in 2018. She is passionate about increasing the visibility of Indigenous health issues, and spearheaded several national corporate cultural awareness campaigns. In 2020, she moved into independent pharmacy consultancy to support a broader network of local pharmacies. A champion of accessible pharmacy services, she co-founded Sabe Wellness, a virtual medical clinic to support remote, rural and underserved communities in 2020.
Applicants must have a Manitoba high school diploma (or expected completion 45 days prior to the program start date), or equivalent, including:
- Grade 12 Math (40S)*, or equivalent;
- Grade 12 Biology (40S)*, or equivalent;
- Grade 12 Chemistry (40S)*, or equivalent; and
- Grade 12 English Language Arts (40S)*, or equivalent.
*A minimum grade of no less than 60% is required in each of these 40S courses.
Students needing to upgrade any of these high school requirements may contact one of MITT’s Adult Learning Centres (ALC).
To be considered for admission to this program, applicants must meet one of the following English language proficiency requirements:
- Language proficiency test results that meet the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) Language Proficiency Requirements for licensure as a Pharmacy Technician in Canada; OR
- Graduation from a Canadian high school with three (3) first language English or French courses within a maximum of three (3) consecutive semesters; OR
- Graduation with an undergraduate degree from a university in Canada, where instruction was provided in English or French.
For more information regarding Admissions to the MITT Pharmacy Technician Program, please refer to the Application Guide for Domestic and Permanent Resident Students.
Please review this Letter from Instructor – Pharmacy Technician to help prepare you for the Pharmacy Technician program.
Pre-Practicum Clearance Requirements
To determine practicum eligibility, this program has established practicum clearance requirements. Please review the information on our Pre-Practicum Clearance Requirements webpage before applying to this program.
Tap and drag table to view more
| Intakes | Start Month* | Class Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | September |
|
| For the most up-to-date information on current availability, visit apply.mitt.ca/guide. (Click “Get Started” and “view Available Programs”.) *Note: Start date does not include Work Skills Foundations. For information on the start of your Work Skills Foundations course, please see: Academic Schedule. |
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Work Skills Foundations will be open for students to complete, independently and online. Please note that completion is mandatory for graduation. Work Skills Foundations helps you successfully transition into a post-secondary academic environment and navigate the cultural, academic, and work expectations you find there as well as in the workplace. Visit our Work Skills Foundations page for full information.
Estimated Program Costs
2024/25
Tap and drag table to view more
| Item | Cost1 |
|---|---|
| Tuition | Year 1: $7,266 Year 2: $7,266 |
| Fees | Year 1: $1,165 Year 2: $1,145 |
| Estimated Textbook Costs2 | Year 1: $600 Year 2: $400 |
| Estimated Supply Costs2 (Includes laptop) |
Year 1: $1,500 Year 2: $500 |
| Estimated Program Cost | $19,842 |
| 1Costs are estimates and are subject to change. Refer to mitt.ca/tuition for specific tuition rates. 2Supplies and books, including laptops, are purchased by students. Find more information about supplies and textbooks below. |
|
A complete supply list can be found in the program information section.
Details regarding additional technology requirements for online learning at MITT can be found here.
Work Skills Foundations
Starting in August 2022, domestic and international students enrolling in most post-secondary programs at MITT will be required to complete Work Skills Foundations.
Formerly known as Introduction to College and Work, Work Skills Foundations helps you successfully transition into a post-secondary academic environment and navigate the cultural, academic, and work expectations you find there as well as in the workplace.
Work Skills Foundations will be open for students to complete, independently and online, two weeks prior to their program start date. Please note that completion is mandatory for graduation.
Visit our Work Skills Foundations page for full information.
High school diploma (or expected completion within 45 days of the program start date), or equivalent. International applicants must meet the general entrance requirements [PDF] based on country/curriculum of study. Applicants must also meet the program-specific requirements, including:
- Senior Level Math*, or equivalent;
- Senior Level Biology*, or equivalent;
- Senior Level Chemistry*, or equivalent; and
- Senior Level English Language Arts*, or equivalent (Language Arts / Literature courses in a language other than English will not be accepted for admission to the Pharmacy Technician program)
*A minimum equivalent grade of no less than 60% is required in each of these senior level courses.
To be considered for admission to this program, applicants must meet one of the following English language proficiency requirements:
- Language proficiency test results that meet the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) Language Proficiency Requirements for licensure as a Pharmacy Technician in Canada; OR
- Graduation from a Canadian high school with three (3) first language English or French courses within a maximum of three (3) consecutive semesters; OR
- Graduation with an undergraduate degree from a university in Canada, where instruction was provided in English or French.
For more information regarding Admissions to the MITT Pharmacy Technician Program, please refer to the Application Guide for International Students.
Please review this Letter from Instructor – Pharmacy Technician to help prepare you for the Pharmacy Technician program.
Pre-Practicum Clearance Requirements
To determine practicum eligibility, this program has established practicum clearance requirements. Please review the information on our Pre-Practicum Clearance Requirements webpage before applying to this program.
Tap and drag table to view more
| Intakes | Start Month* | Class Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | September |
|
| For the most up-to-date information on current availability, visit apply.mitt.ca/guide. (Click “Get Started” and “view Available Programs”.) *Note: Start date does not include Work Skills Foundations. For information on the start of your Work Skills Foundations course, please see: Academic Schedule. |
||
Work Skills Foundations will be open for students to complete, independently and online. Please note that completion is mandatory for graduation. Work Skills Foundations helps you successfully transition into a post-secondary academic environment and navigate the cultural, academic, and work expectations you find there as well as in the workplace. Visit our Work Skills Foundations page for full information.
Estimated Program Costs
2024/25
Tap and drag table to view more
| Item | Cost1 |
|---|---|
| Tuition | Year 1: $19,850 Year 2: $19,850 |
| Fees | Year 1: $1,165 Year 2: $1,145 |
| Health Insurance | Year 1: $1,003.75 Year 2: $984.50 |
| Estimated Textbook Costs2 | Year 1: $600 Year 2: $400 |
| Estimated Supply Costs2 (Includes laptop) |
Year 1: $1,500 Year 2: $500 |
| Estimated Program Cost | $46,998.25 |
| 1Costs are estimates and are subject to change. Refer to mitt.ca/tuition for specific tuition rates. 2Supplies and books, including laptops, are purchased by students. Find more information about supplies and textbooks below. |
|
A complete supply list can be found in the program information section.
Details regarding additional technology requirements for online learning at MITT can be found here.
Work Skills Foundations
Starting in August 2022, domestic and international students enrolling in most post-secondary programs at MITT will be required to complete Work Skills Foundations.
Formerly known as Introduction to College and Work, Work Skills Foundations helps you successfully transition into a post-secondary academic environment and navigate the cultural, academic, and work expectations you find there as well as in the workplace.
Work Skills Foundations will be open for students to complete, independently and online, two weeks prior to their program start date. Please note that completion is mandatory for graduation.
Visit our Work Skills Foundations page for full information.
Accreditation: Canadian council for accreditation of pharmacy programs
The Pharmacy Technician Program at the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology has been awarded Accreditation Status by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs from January 1, 2023 to June 30, 2028.
The MITT Pharmacy Technician Program has qualified for accreditation since 2010.
The program curriculum aligns with the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) Professional Competencies for Canadian Pharmacy Technicians at Entry to Practice and the Canadian Pharmacy Technician Educators Association (CPTEA) Educational Outcomes for Pharmacy Technician Programs in Canada.
This program qualifies students to write the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) Qualifying Exam. With a PEBC Pharmacy Technician Certificate of Qualification, graduates of this program may pursue listing with the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba.
The Pharmacy Technician Diploma Program includes three work practicum placements: two in community pharmacy practice and one in an institutional pharmacy environment.
- All practicums in this program are preceptor-led placements in which students work under the direction of a pharmacy technician and/or pharmacist.
- Practicums are unpaid practice experiences that offer students the opportunity to gain relevant work experience and further develop entry-to-practice competence.
- MITT does not guarantee the student’s choice of placement site or a placement within close geographical proximity of their home.
- MITT reserves the right to assign students to out-of-town placements with regional health authority facilities outside of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority boundaries (which may include, but is not limited to, Steinbach, Portage, Brandon, Winkler, The Pas, and Thompson). Practicum shifts may be scheduled outside of the standard program hours.
- Students may be required to adjust personal work schedules and make alternative arrangements for transportation and parking, accommodation, and childcare. They will also be responsible for all costs associated with the assigned placement.
Work practicum is a mandatory component of this program. Students must meet all program eligibility criteria to qualify for practicum. MITT does not guarantee practicum placements when students do not meet eligibility criteria (including having a valid co-op work permit).
Students may not participate in Work Practicum without the following clearances and immunizations:
- Clear Police Information Check (PIC) clearance * with Vulnerable Sector
- Clear Provincial Child Abuse Registry Check clearance
- Clear Adult Abuse Registry Check clearance
- Up-to-date immunization record (as per the WRHA Guidelines for Health Care Workers)
- Co-op Work Permit (international students only)
* At the discretion of individual Work Practicum sites, students may be declined access to Work Practicum based on the findings of a Police Information Check. It is a prospective student’s responsibility to report the existence of a criminal record or any pending legal issues that could adversely impact their practicum eligibility to MITT before applying for admission to this program.
Students are responsible for all costs associated with these clearances and immunizations. Further, the PIC and abuse registries must be dated no more than six months prior to the start of each Work Practicum to be valid; therefore, multiple PIC and abuse registry clearances are required for this program.
Work practicum partners
MITT has extensive ties in industry and works with recognized community and institutional partners to provide our students with meaningful practice experiences. These partnerships include organizations such as, but are not limited to:
- Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA)
- Southern Health-Santé Sud
- Interlake Eastern Regional Health Authority
- Prairie Mountain Health Authority
- Northern Regional Health Authority
- St. Boniface General Hospital
- Sobeys National Pharmacy Group
- Shoppers Drug Mart
- Walmart Pharmacy
Resources
- Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs
- College of Pharmacists of Manitoba
- National Association for Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities
- Canadian Pharmacy Technician Educators Association
- Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada
- Canadian Association of Pharmacy Technicians
The Pharmacy Technician Program gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the following donors:
Simulated Pharmacy
Pharmacy Technician Compounding Laboratories
Computer Lab and Pharmacy Sterile Room
MITT continuously reviews and improves programs to maintain relevance in the workplace and effective learning experiences for all students. Although the institution strives to have the website reflect the most current version of all programs, MITT reserves the right to change the program curriculum as necessary to meet industry and accreditation requirements. As a result, course information and learning outcomes may be adjusted prior to the scheduled course start date.