Overview
As our population grows and ages, there is a vital need for trained professionals to provide pharmacy-related assistance.
In this program, learners will train to assist pharmacy personnel in addressing and ensuring the health needs of a diverse population. As future professionals working under Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians, students of this program will learn to prepare pharmaceuticals, manage inventory, and as the potential first point of contact, assist customers in a variety of related ways.
Through a combination of theory-based study and hands-on laboratory practice, this program covers pharmacy concepts, pharmaceutical calculations, body systems, pharmaceutical implications, order processing, clerical functions, and professional and communications standards. Students will also spend time increasing their competency through integrating theoretical knowledge with real dispensing practice and customer service, during a practicum based in a community pharmacy.
Is this the right fit for me?
Job expectations for success in this profession include:
- fine motor skills
- communication (e.g. verbal, reading, writing, and listening)
- able to work independently
- able to work with others
- adaptable
- able to work well under stress
- able to use technology
- attention to detail
- able to maintain professional behaviour; emotional self-regulation
- able to work extended hours, including nights and/or weekends, and shift work
- able to assist in transporting, lifting, and positioning of patients and/or equipment
- able to meet the physical demands of the job
- spend most hours working on your feet, walking, repetitive bending, and repetitive tasks
- able to use hand, wrist, and arm for prolonged periods of time
- able to type at 35 wpm with high accuracy
Prospective students are strongly encouraged to refer to the ALIS website for career, learning, and employment information for Pharmacy Assistants for more information on this profession.
Rural stream
The rural stream of the Pharmacy Assistant program, offered in spring, addresses a need for services in Edmonton and rural Alberta. As such, all practicum placements will occur within Edmonton and rural Alberta.
Only applicants with a home address (living) in those regions will be eligible for admission to the program. Calgary addresses are not eligible to apply. Students will be responsible for all fees born of their practicum placements, including the cost of travel, relocation and dwelling.
Credential
After successfully completing this program, graduates will receive a SAIT Pharmacy Assistant certificate.
Get important updates about our health and medical programs
Career opportunities
Graduates can pursue job opportunities in:
- community-based pharmacies
- hospital pharmacies
- long-term care facilities
Related careers include:
- pharmacy technician
- physician assistant
- pharmacist
Tuition and fees
Estimated cost per year:
Domestic total 2023/24
- Year 1: $8,986
Final costs are dependent on the number of courses a student takes per semester.
This program is eligible for Canada Alberta Job Grant funding.
Requirements
You will be offered admission to this program through direct entry if you meet the admission requirements and space is available.
Are you a rural student ready to apply?
A limited number of reserved seats are available for this program - apply now!
Learn more about our rural seat programsAdmission requirements
Program requirements
Completion of the following courses or equivalents with an overall average of at least 60%:
- Math 30-1 or Math 30-2
- English Language Arts 30-1 or English Language Arts 30-2.
All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.
SAIT accepts high school course equivalents for admission. If you don't meet the requirements, consider Academic Upgrading.
SAIT evaluates international documents for admissions. After you've applied, consider our international document assessment service if your education is from outside of Canada. SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions.
Practicum requirements
The School of Health and Public Safety has many practica partners located within Alberta and across Canada. Practicum placements in Calgary are limited and students may be required to relocate outside of Calgary for practicum.
Successful candidates will be informed of the allocation of their practicum placement by the program. There is no guarantee that students will be placed at their desired practicum location. Special considerations of personal circumstances will not be given in regards to assigning practicum placements. Students will be responsible for fees associated with practica such as relocation and travel costs.
In compliance with the practica agreements with our clinical partners, successful candidates will be requested to provide proof of the following requirements:
- Security clearance - Police Information Check including Vulnerable Sector Check
- Health and wellness status
When should you apply?
Visit our Apply page to see when applications open and close for upcoming semesters.
To see which semesters this program has intakes for, look at the Available Intakes information at the top of this page.
Direct entry: four-step process
Step 1: Read the program information to see the qualities needed for student success.
Step 2: Ensure that you meet all of the admission requirements listed above.
Step 3: Apply to the program and submit your transcripts.
Admission will be extended on a first-qualified, first-offered basis until the program is full.
Step 4: Continue to monitor your application status through mySAIT.ca.
You must submit final transcripts/grades to show you have completed the courses and met the minimum admission requirements by the transcript deadline or your seat will be rescinded.
Communication during admission
Email is the primary source of communication during the admission process. Ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications.
We recommend you add hps.info@sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages.
When do classes start?
Classes for this program adhere to the following year start and end dates based on the semester the student begins their program.
| Classes begin | Year start date | Year-end date |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2022 | Sept. 6, 2022 | Feb. 17, 2023 |
| Fall 2022 (Rural intake) | Sept. 12, 2022 | July 29, 2023 |
| Winter 2023 | Jan. 9, 2023 | June 30, 2023 |
| Winter 2023 | April 3, 2023 | Oct. 27, 2023 |
| Fall 2023 | Sept. 5, 2023 | Feb. 16, 2023 |
Courses
Program outline
Looking for course descriptions and requisites? Visit the course catalogue
Open Studies courses available
Some courses in this program are available through Open Studies.
Open Studies is a great way to explore a certain subject before diving into the full program. See what courses are offered by finding this program on the Open Studies courses tab.
Semester 1
| Course code | Course name | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| PHAR-203 | Pharmacy Concepts | 1.5 |
| PHAR-204 | Pharmaceutical Calculations | 1.5 |
| PHAR-211 | Assistive Devices | 1.5 |
| PHAR-212 | Order Processing I | 1.5 |
| PHAR-214 | Body Systems and Pharmaceutical Implications I | 1.5 |
| PHAR-223 | Order Processing II | 1.5 |
| PHAR-227 | Body Systems and Pharmaceutical Implications II | 1.5 |
| PHAR-232 | Professional Standards and Ethics | 1.5 |
| PHAR-234 | Order Processing III | 1.5 |
| PHAR-236 | Body Systems and Pharmaceutical Implications III | 1.5 |
| PHAR-247 | Compounding and Inventory Management | 1.5 |
| PHAR-248 | Body Systems and Pharmaceutical Implications IV | 1.5 |
| PROF-240* | Healthcare Professionalism | 1.5 |
| Semester 1 total | 19.5 | |
Semester 2
| Course code | Course name | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| PRAC-213 | Practicum | 3.0 |
| Semester 2 total | 3.0 | |
| Program total | 22.5 | |
April intake
In this intake, students will attend their lectures online, laboratories on-campus, and subsequently complete a practicum placement. In order to accommodate students with significant distances to travel, on-campus lab days will be scheduled in groups of four to five consecutive days, and occur approximately once per month.
Progression
Students must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better in each semester and pass the necessary prerequisite courses to progress through the program. To qualify for graduation, students must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.
Review our grading and progression procedure >
Transfer options
The opportunity to advance your education by transferring in, within or on from SAIT is available.
Learn more about program and institution partnership agreements.
Costs 2022/23
Domestic tuition and fees
Cost per credit: $309
| Year | Number of semesters | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees* | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | $6,952 | $916 | $553 | $8,421.50 |
*Maximum fee. Actual fees may be less and are based on the number of credits a student takes per semester and whether they opt-out of health and dental benefits.
This program is eligible for Canada Alberta Job Grant funding.
SAIT fees
- Campus athletic and recreation fee: $196
- Universal transit pass (Upass): $320
- Student support fee: $200
- Student technology fee: $200
Saitsa fees
Student Association fee
- Maximum: $291
This is the maximum amount the student will pay. Actual fees may be less and are based on the number of credits the students take per semester.
Health and dental fees
- Health plan: $127
- Dental plan: $135
Students with existing health and/or dental plans can opt-out. Please refer to Saitsa's website for information.
Books and supplies*
Books and supplies are approximately $500.
Students are responsible for any additional expenses related to their practicum, including pre-practicum requirements as outlined by the program, and relocation costs to practicum sites outside of Calgary.
There is a fee associated with obtaining a Police Information Check including Vulnerable Sector Check and is payable to the Police or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
There is a fee, approximately $50-$100, associated with an Electronic Student Permit Checking submission which is required for clinical practicum placements, payable to Synergy Gateway through the Verified software platform.
For an estimate of the costs associated with purchasing a computer that meets the program's hardware and software requirements, see our computers and laptops page.
Learn more about tuition and financial aid.
*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change.
Costs 2023/24
Tuition and fees
The following costs are effective as of July 1, 2023. They are an estimate of tuition and fees based on the recommended course load per year. *
Domestic students
| Year | Number of semesters | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | $7,416 | $948 | $622 | $8,986 |
*For a detailed breakdown of tuition costs per course, visit the domestic fee table.
This program is eligible for Canada Alberta Job Grant funding.
Fees
Your fees are calculated based on the number of course credits you take per semester (approximately 16 weeks of study). In most cases, your fee is determined based on whether you're taking more or less than nine (9) course credits (more than nine credits in a semester are considered full-time studies.)
Fees are adjusted for programs with start dates outside of the typical 15-week program.
Learn more about what your fees are for
Fees are subject to change without notice.
| Fees | < 9 credits per semester | > 9 credits per semester |
| SAIT fees | ||
| Campus athletic and recreation | $51.50 | $103 |
| Student support fee | $52.75 | $105.50 |
| Student technology fee | $52.75 | $105.50 |
| UPass* | N/A | $160 |
| Total | $157 | $474 |
| Saitsa fees | ||
| Student association fee** | $16.22/credit | $146 |
| Health plan*** | N/A | $86 ($172 annually) |
| Dental plan*** | N/A | $79 ($158 annually) |
| Total | $311 maximum | $476 |
*Additional eligibility requirements apply for students to obtain a UPass. To check your eligibility, visit our Upass page.
**Saitsa fees are paid per credit to a maximum amount of $146 per semester.
***Health and dental fees are charged per semester to an annual maximum amount of $172 for health and $158 for dental. In most cases, program fees quoted are based on students paying for a full year of health and dental coverage. International students are charged these fees regardless of course load. Domestic students with existing health and/or dental plans can opt-out. Learn more at saitsa.com/benefits.
Books and supplies*
Books and supplies are approximately $500.
Students are responsible for any additional expenses related to their practicum, including pre-practicum requirements as outlined by the program, and relocation costs to practicum sites outside of Calgary.
There is a fee associated with obtaining a Police Information Check including Vulnerable Sector Check and is payable to the Police or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
There is a fee, approximately $50-$100, associated with an Electronic Student Permit Checking submission which is required for clinical practicum placements, payable to Synergy Gateway through the Verified software platform.
For an estimate of the costs associated with purchasing a computer that meets the program's hardware and software requirements, see our computers and laptops page.
*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change.
Next steps for incoming students
Have you been accepted to this program? Here's what you'll need for your first day of classes.
✅ Plan ahead ❗️
You are required to complete several health, confidentiality and consent forms before starting your program. All completed and signed paperwork is needed on orientation day.
Ensure you complete all three steps below ahead of orientation.
Get started on pre-orientation requirements
Orientation
Program orientation for students beginning in Winter 2023 will take place on SAIT campus on Friday, Jan. 6. Look for ORNT 118 in your schedule in mySAIT for the time and exact location.*
You can also prepare by attending Big SAIT Welcome, online information sessions, international or Indigenous orientation, and completing the preparation courses below.
*If your orientation takes place on the first day of classes, you will not see a separate ORNT 118 in your schedule. Students registering in classes via open registration will need to enroll themselves in ORNT 118.
How to register for classes
Course registration opens on March 1 through March 15 for Spring 2023.
You’ll receive an email from us indicating what registration process you’ll use to enroll in your classes.
Learn more about how to register and the different registration methods used at SAIT.
Computers and laptops
This is a bring your own device program with a standard hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page.
Mac computers are not compatible with the software used in this program.
Required personal protective equipment (PPE) and uniforms
Students are required to wear scrubs to their labs. Scrubs must be cleaned and pressed.
All lab equipment will be provided and a lab fee will be charged to students at the SAIT Bookstore.
Preparation courses
To support your success, short courses are available to you to help prepare you for the academic year:
PERS 050: Student Rights and Responsibilities
This course is designed to introduce you to student rights and responsibilities at SAIT. You will learn about SAIT's rich and diverse community, become familiar with guidelines and procedures that create a safe, respectful learning experience for you, and gain practical tips for how you can engage in the SAIT community in a positive and responsible way. PRES-050 must be completed within 30 days from the start of the semester.
PREP 100: The SAIT Experience
Get tips and insider information on time management, exam preparation, effective notetaking and more through this free, online short course for new students. Plus, learn about discussion boards, online communication and submitting assignments online. Course completion is recommended by the end of your first semester.
Both courses can be accessed through Brightspace (D2L) before the first day of classes.
Students taking a full-time course load, or more than nine (9) credits per semester, will be automatically enrolled in these courses.
They are optional for students taking a part-time course load (9 or fewer credits per semester). Part-time students can register by emailing academic.coaching@sait.ca.
Required textbooks
Find your booklist on the SAIT Bookstore's website. The booklist will be available closer to the program start date.
Can’t find your program or course? The bookstore didn't receive a textbook list. Contact your program directly to determine if they’re still refining course details or if you're in luck, no textbook purchase is required this term.
Contact
Phone: 403.284.8481
Email: hps.info@sait.ca
Next steps for all students
Here's what else you'll need to do to get ready!
Next steps for accepted students
Important dates and deadlines
Find important dates applicable to all students, including your transcript and tuition payment deadlines on our Important Dates page.
