Student Requirements

Requirements for Participation in Experiential Education

There are a number of requirements for students in order to participate in the Experiential Education components of the Pharmacy Program. All the deadlines below refer to year 1 of the program unless specified. 

Police Information Check

Under the Protection for Persons in Care Act, all students attending placement sites within Alberta are required to complete a Police Information Check. The Faculty requires this check prior to the start of the first experiential learning course, scheduled in spring after year one.

There is a fee for a Police Information Check in Alberta and a vulnerable sector check is also required. Edmonton Police Services has made some changes to help speed up the Police Information Check process. Visit the Edmonton Police website to learn more. You can apply for a Police Information Check (PIC - also called Criminal Record Check or security clearance check) with Edmonton City Police, Calgary City Police, RCMP, or a local law enforcement agency in your city or town. Anticipate at least 4 weeks for the Police Information Check to be processed. If you are an Edmonton resident, you can apply online for your Police Information Check and Vulnerable Sector Search. Please check your local jurisdiction for application procedures. The original Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Search must be uploaded to Alfresco by the last business day in September. 

On an annual basis, students will be required to declare that no charges or convictions have been incurred since the issuance of the student's original Criminal Record Check. This declaration will be distributed to the class by way of a CORE Elms survey. Questions regarding this declaration process can be directed to phexed@ualberta.ca.

Immunizations

Up-to-date immunization is a program requirement for students in all Health Sciences faculties. Refer to the Practicum Policies and Requirements in the University of Alberta Calendar, for more detailed information. In order to protect yourself and the patients you will be interacting with during your placement(s), you are required to have your immunization records reviewed and updated by a healthcare professional.

We encourage you to visit the University Health Centre to ensure that your immunization requirements are met. For more information on how to arrange an appointment, location, associated costs, and where to find your current immunization records, visit the UHC's Health Faculty Immunizations webpage.

Regardless of whether you visit the UHC to complete your immunization review, all students will need to have a health care professional review your immunization history and complete the Faculty Immunization Clearance Form as proof this requirement has been met. Your completed form is due to the Student Services Office by the first week of January. The form must be signed and stamped by the healthcare provider once you're received all of your immunizations.

If you have not had the pertussis (dTap) vaccine since turning 18, you will need to obtain another dose of the vaccine immediately. Only those individuals who have been vaccinated against pertussis after turning 18 are exempt from requiring another dose.

ACP Registration

All students must register with the Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP). The deadline to register as a student pharmacist with ACP is the last business day in November. You can find all the necessary information on the ACP website, including the registration form application requirements, and fees. ACP will provide a list of student registrants to the Faculty; students do not need to bring in a copy of their certificate.

CPR Certificate

Students must complete the Standard or Emergency First-Aid and Level C CPR course and upload a copy of their certificate to Alfresco by the last business day in March. This is a requirement and students will not be permitted to enter the site selection contest for their rotations without a certificate. Students must maintain a valid certificate throughout the program; certificates generally expire every 3 years.

N95 Respirator Fit Testing

N95 Respirator Fit-testing is the fitting of your N95 mask, which is an AHS/Covenant Health requirement in case of outbreaks. Students must have a valid N95 certificate in order to go on their institutional rotations in both their second and fourth years. The Experiential Education Coordinators will contact you to arrange fitting. Should you have questions regarding the process or upcoming dates for Fit Testing, please contact the Experiential Education Coordinators at phexed@ualberta.ca.

AHS Information + Compliance Training Modules

Students going to AHS placement sites must watch the Information & Privacy and IT Security & Awareness video, complete the online learning module and watch the AHS orientation video prior to starting PHARM 454 (Year 2) and PHARM 555 (Year 4) (must be completed prior to placement, in the same academic year). A signed Confidentiality and User Agreement and Certificate of Completion at the end of the modules must be completed and uploaded to CORE Elms as instructed by the Experiential Education Coordinators.

Please note that many experiential education requirements have additional fees associated. As most of these requirements are fulfilled by external providers, the cost varies at their discretion but students can expect to spend approximately $1,000.

Contact Us

If you have any questions regarding any of the requirements listed above, contact the Experiential Education Coordinators at phexed@ualberta.ca.