Structured Practical Training (pharmacy technician)

Provisional pharmacy technicians are recognized on the provisional pharmacy technician register for training. Structured Practical Training (SPT) is the supervised competency-based training period that allows provisional pharmacy technicians the opportunity to practise their skills in a supervised practical environment. The objective of the SPT program is for the provisional pharmacy technician to develop competence and confidence in applying the skills required to be a pharmacy technician, and thus requires the attendance and direct oversight of a supervising pharmacy technician or pharmacist. Skill development and evaluation is the primary intent of the program, not the accumulation of hours.

The SPT program consists of three levels and a minimum of 800 hours, but additional hours can be expected in order to demonstrate entry-to-practice competencies. According to the SPT rules, Canadian graduates of a Canadian Council for Accredited Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) accredited pharmacy technician program may start at Level 2 of the SPT program, if they start their SPT within two years of graduation. If it has been more than two years since graduation, Canadian graduates are required to complete the entire SPT program, starting at Level 1.

NOTE: Faxed forms are no longer accepted. All forms must be submitted as PDF documents to techspt@abpharmacy.ca.

Getting started

Before starting the SPT program, you will need to complete the following:

1. Register on the provisional pharmacy technician register (in myACP).
2. Review the SPT manual and logbook for pharmacy technicians.
3. Seek an eligible site and preceptor.
   • Eligibility information can be found in the SPT manual.
     • An eligible preceptor must meet the following requirements:
       • registered on the ACP pharmacy technician register or ACP clinical pharmacist register for a minimum of two years,
       • no restrictions on their practice permit that will impact ability to provide a good learning experience,
       • no outstanding complaints that have been referred to a Hearing Tribunal, and
       • not in a close personal relationship with the provisional pharmacy technician being precepted.
     • If you are an internationally educated pharmacy technician (IEPT) and your proposed preceptor is a pharmacist (not a pharmacy technician), in addition to meeting the above requirements, the pharmacist must also have precepted at least two pharmacy technician students in a CCAPP-accredited pharmacy technician program within the last three years (experienced preceptor).
4. Prior to starting each level, submit the SPT notification form to ACP for approval.
   • You must obtain approval from ACP prior to starting a level of SPT.
   • To avoid delays with your start date, SPT notification forms should be submitted for approval 10 business days prior to your intended start date. The form must be submitted as PDF to techspt@abpharmacy.ca.

Completing the SPT program

1. Once your preceptor has been approved, refer to the SPT Manual and Logbook for pharmacy technicians and the SPT assessment form to complete the SPT program.
   • At the start of each SPT level, complete a self assessment using the SPT assessment form. Share this with your preceptor.
   • Use the SPT logbook to record your activities throughout the program.

2. At the end of each SPT level, submit the following to ACP within 30 days:
   • your completed SPT assessment form, and
   • your completed SPT completion form.
   • Note: Completion and assessment forms must be submitted prior to starting a new level of SPT. Forms must be submitted as PDF to techspt@abpharmacy.ca.

3. During Level 3, complete the Demonstration of Proficiency of Product Release (100 final checks).
   • You must submit a Demonstration of Proficiency of Product Release Notification form to ACP prior to starting this activity.
   • The provisional pharmacy technician must demonstrate proficiency in completing a final check in accordance with the standards by completing a minimum of 100 final checks with 100 per cent accuracy and to the satisfaction of the preceptor. If an error occurs, the provisional pharmacy technician must restart the activity.
   • Upon successful completion, submit the Demonstration of Proficiency of Product Release Completion form to ACP within 30 days.

For more information on the SPT program, please refer to the SPT manual, SPT logbook, SPT assessment form, SPT notification form, SPT completion form, and the Demonstration of Proficiency of Product Release (100 final checks).