Post-secondary students in the North have a new allied healthcare program option, thanks to a partnership between Northern Lights College (NLC) and Selkirk College.
After The NLC Cares Allied Healthcare community consultations last year, several roles were identified as needed in the North, which included pharmacy technicians.
The NLC Pharmacy Technician Program was established, with 12 seats for students located in the Peace Region who want to study without having to leave the north.
This partnership formed after discussions between the two institutions to help meet the growing needs of the allied healthcare field.
Selkirk College has delivered the program from their Castlegar campus for the last 20 years. Selkirk is fully accredited by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs, allowing graduates to write the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada and Jurisprudence exams, making them eligible to register with the College of Pharmacies of BC.
This 15-month program is both online with in-person labs on the NLC Dawson Creek campus.
“We are delighted to be able to offer the Pharmacy Technician Diploma to students in our communities, with aim to support graduates in filling vacant positions in both hospital and community pharmacies across the North,” said Nicole Dahlen, Dean of Health Sciences and Human Services for NLC. “Pharmacy Technicians are an integral part of the health care team and work collaboratively with pharmacists in the promotion of wellness, disease prevention, and the management of chronic diseases. Diversifying our programming in health sciences and human services gives our youth and those looking for a career change more local options, which is so important in northern communities.”
“We are very excited to welcome Northern Lights College and their team as partners in our Pharmacy Technician program,” said Tammie Clarke, Dean of the School of Health and Human Services for Selkirk College. “This collaboration strengthens our ability to support the unique needs of the communities NLC serves and to help grow a skilled local workforce. Together, we can expand high-quality learning opportunities closer to home for learners across the region.”
Both the BC Minister of Post-Secondary and Future Skills and the BC Minister of Health recognize the value of this partnership and the benefits it brings to learners, communities, and regional health care.
“We are making it easier for people in Northeast B.C. to get the skills they need for in-demand healthcare careers without leaving their communities,” said Jessie Sunner, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. “This partnership will help grow the allied health workforce in the North and support stronger care closer to home.”
“Expanding health training opportunities in northern and rural communities is key to improving access to care and supporting a strong local workforce throughout B.C.,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “By bringing training closer to home, we can attract more students into these programs — and because people often stay where they train, we can better ensure communities like the Peace Region have the skilled professionals they rely on.”
To learn more about the Pharmacy Technician Program at NLC, visit nlc.bc.ca/pharmacy-technician-program/