MHC receives approval for new pharmacy technician program
Medicine Hat College (MHC) is set to become the only postsecondary institution in southern Alberta to offer high demand pharmacy technician training following approval from the provincial government this week.
MHC will launch a two-year Pharmacy Technician diploma program in Fall 2025 to address increasing demand for pharmacy technicians in the region and across Alberta. With waitlists at other provincial colleges, MHC’s push to offer this program already has strong local support from private and public health stakeholders to fill its 20 seats. MHC will be starting small with hopes to expand once the program is established.
"We listen to the needs of our region and through conversations in our communities we heard that Pharmacy Technician was a much needed but difficult position to fill,” explains Dr. Nancy Brown, vice president academic and provost.
Building on the success of an existing pharmacy technician program, MHC will deliver NorQuest College’s nationally accredited curriculum. Practicums and work integrated learning opportunities will be regionally focused, supporting the needs of businesses and health care providers in southern Alberta.
“The program is an excellent example of both postsecondary system and partnership collaboration,” adds Brown. “We'd like to thank NorQuest for working with us on curriculum and are grateful to donors like the Yuill Family Foundation for their recent financial gift to support rural health education and research."
Pharmacy Technician is a licensed, regulated career with an expanding scope of practice. Techs are trained to compound, prepare, and dispense prescriptions and pharmaceutical products under the direction of pharmacists and help handle the flow of the pharmacy environment. They also provide services that promote health and wellness, as well as safe and effective drug distribution. Pharmacy technicians work in a variety of community pharmacies, hospitals, and long-term care facilities and can also find employment with health insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, and pharmacy suppliers.
For more information about the program, or to apply, please click here.