Professional Competencies for Canadian Pharmacy Technicians at Entry to Practice

This competencies document is a foundational document developed for a number of specific purposes:

 

·          to support the development of a national accreditation standard for pharmacy technician educational programs (under the authority of the Canadian Council on Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs);

·          to support the development of a national entry to practice examination for pharmacy technicians (being developed by the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada); and

·          to support national educational outcomes for pharmacy technician programs (developed by the Canadian Pharmacy Technician Educators Association).

These competencies have been written assuming pharmacy technicians will be a regulated profession.  In those jurisdictions where this occurs, these competencies may assist in the development of standards of practice for pharmacy technicians.

These competencies may assist in the development of transitional “bridging” educational programs to assist those pharmacy technicians who wish to become regulated in meeting the requirements established by their regulatory body.

 

These competencies do not authorize pharmacy technicians to immediately assume expanded roles.  As well, these competencies do not authorize pharmacists or any other health professionals to immediately delegate responsibility for activities to pharmacy technicians.