NorQuest Bridging to Post-Secondary Program

at NorQuest College - Edmonton Campus Canada

In this nationally accredited diploma program, you will acquire the knowledge and skills needed to work in this fast-paced and highly respected occupation. This includes dispensing prescriptions, compounding medications, preparing sterile products, and providing patient care.

Student Success
Students are more likely to be successful in this program if they:

• Are detail-oriented
• Have strong arithmetic skills
• Can multi-task and problem-solve effectively
• Have access to a computer with strong computer and typing skills
• Have good written and verbal communication skills
• Have good vision and manual dexterity and can stand and sit for extended periods of time.
• Applicants are requested to review the job requirements listed below and assess their ability to fulfill the demands of the occupation of pharmacy technician.

As a pharmacy technician, you must be able to:

• Work day, evening, and weekend shifts
• Stand and sit for extended periods of time
• Use your knees, back, and arms to move objects that weigh up to 10 kilograms
• Have good manual dexterity and vision, which are essential for some tasks
• Physically and emotionally manage workplace demands
• Function effectively in stressful situations
• Multi-task and problem-solve
• Perform all skills independently
• Work collaboratively with other health-care professionals
• Communicate effectively in written and verbal form with patients, colleagues, and other health care professionals.

Additional Program Details
NorQuest’s pharmacy technician lab provides students with practical, hands-on training in compounding, sterile product preparation, repackaging, inventory management, and dispensing. In the lab, students have the opportunity to use technologies currently employed by those working in the profession, including laminar airflow hoods and Kroll® computer software.

Our state-of-the-art simulation lab prepares students to work collaboratively with other health-care professionals as part of an interdisciplinary team.
For more information on becoming a registered pharmacy technician in the province of Alberta, visit the Alberta College of Pharmacy website.

Practicum/Work Experience
This program includes two practicums totalling 320 hours.

The Health Care Leadership post-diploma certificate program is offered in a student-centred classroom or an online hybrid environment to prepare graduates for leadership roles within a variety of health-care settings.

The program delivers theoretical knowledge and skills assessment related to leadership and management with focuses on: leadership development, cultural sensitivity, communication, organizational behaviour, principles of adult education, business fundamentals, strategic planning, and inter-professional collaboration. Students will acquire advanced leadership skills that will assist them in being recognized as essential contributors to the overall operations of both private and public health organizations.

Learn from experienced health care leaders who know what you need to be successful in modern health workplaces. Mobilize your team, influence your peers, and drive progress for yourself and for your organization.

Establish personal and professional leadership competencies that help you flourish as a leader in health care. Connect with diverse participants and experience NorQuest’s holistic approach to values-driven leadership.

Advance your theoretical knowledge and leadership development skills, focusing on cultural sensitivity, communication, organizational behaviour, strategic planning, inter-professional collaboration, principles of adult education, research, and business essentials. Your new awareness of what’s needed in today’s health care system will allow you to confidently apply for and obtain leadership roles within your chosen health profession or in related fields.

NorQuest College's Practical Nurse Diploma for Internationally Educated Nurses program will prepare you to become a professional practical nurse who will provide high-quality care to clients in a variety of health care settings.

Building on your previous education and experience, you will be supported in learning about Canadian health care while strengthening your professional communication and English language proficiency.

What to expect from the program
This two-year diploma program is designed to train internationally educated nurses to achieve academic and professional success. Language training instructors and practical nurse instructors will help you acquire the nursing knowledge, clinical judgement, and communication skills needed to become a practical nurse in Canada.

Collaborative classes, labs, workshops, and innovative learning strategies are designed to target specific student needs to prepare you for practicum, writing the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam, and future career success.

Students are more likely to be successful in this program if they:

• are physically and emotionally able to manage workplace demands
• have access to a vehicle to travel to complete their clinical practice
• have access to a computer and Internet, and basic computer skills
• are able to demonstrate professional and ethical behaviour

Business Analysis professionals play a vital role in helping organization create efficiencies, update processes, and modernize to meet the challenges of today. This is a non-credit program that issues a Professional Certificate upon successful completion of the courses and three-month work integrated learning component.

The Early Learning and Child Care certificate program prepares graduates to provide quality child care in a wide variety of settings and to plan appropriate activities for the children in their care. Knowledge of child development, family dynamics, play, and program planning will equip you to support the healthy development of children through child-centred learning experiences.

Practicum/Work Experience

• This program includes two practicums totalling 400 hours.

The Teaching English as an Additional Language Professional certificate is a flexible credit program that prepares graduates to be effective instructors of adult English language learners, and certified K-12 teachers who can better address the diverse language and cultural needs of their learners.

Students will develop a clear understanding of how curriculum, methodology, teaching materials, and assessment can be designed, selected, and effectively implemented into classrooms with English language learners. Through active engagement with second language acquisition theory, the essential skills framework, language proficiency benchmarks, and current research, students will develop the knowledge, skills, and practical experience to teach confidently within a variety of English language teaching and learning contexts.

Practicum/Work Experience
This program includes a 50-hour field placement, with 30 hours of observation and 20 hours of teaching within an adult English language classroom or (for certified K-12 teachers) in a K-12 classroom.

The Mental Health Recovery Practitioner post-diploma certificate program provides health and human services professionals with the knowledge and skills to work with clients experiencing mental health and concurrent disorders. The program is offered in a flexible combination of online courses and live classroom instruction on evenings and weekends.

The program emphasizes acquisition of applied skills and best practices in direct client care, advocacy, ethics, and work with families and communities. A key component of the program is work in labs and practicum. The program builds upon students’ previous training and experience, and graduates are equipped to meet client and employer needs in a range of relevant settings.

Practicum/Work Experience
This program includes a practicum totalling 120 hours and 15 hours of community service learning.

The Disability Studies program is a two-year diploma that will develop the skills needed to effectively work in supporting individuals with disabilities across their lifespan. Individuals with developmental disabilities need support in early intervention, community settings, schools, recreation, and employment opportunities. A skilled workforce is needed to help people with disabilities achieve their goals and effectively participate as members of the community.

Disability service workers can work in a family or community setting in teams or independently to support individuals and their families. Graduates will create, implement, assess and modify plans to help utilize individuals’ strengths and abilities to increase avenues for meaningful participation in the community and society.

NorQuest Bridging to Post-Secondary provides an opportunity to students who need additional English language or academic upgrading courses to fully meet admission requirements for a post-secondary program.

NorQuest Bridging students will

• Receive a conditional offer of admission to their target post-secondary program and be able to reserve a seat in the target program
• Work closely with an advisor to design a personalized education plan
• Have up to four terms of study to meet the conditions of their admission by completing English as a Second Language (ESL) Intensive or Academic Upgrading courses at NorQuest College
• Be able to take select courses in their post-secondary program prior to full admission
• Take skill development courses to promote academic success

Participating post-secondary programs

• ELP Band E programs
  • Accounting Technician
  • Administrative Professional
  • Business Administration
• ELP Band F programs
  • Disability Studies
  • Early Learning and Child Care
  • Environmental Protection Technology
  • Interdisciplinary Therapy Assistant
  • Settlement Studies
  • Therapeutic Recreation
• ELP Band H programs
  • Health Care Leadership
  • Practical Nurse

The Therapeutic Recreation certificate program focuses on the knowledge and skills required to plan, implement and evaluate individual or group therapeutic recreation and social activities.
Following successful completion, graduates may continue on to the Therapeutic Recreation – diploma program.
In this program, you will learn how to enhance your clients' quality of life through leisure activities. The program will prepare you to work with a variety of client groups in different care settings.

Both a certificate and diploma are available:
The Certificate year (Year 1) focuses on the knowledge and skills required to plan, implement, and evaluate individual or group therapeutic recreation and social activities. Available through on-campus instruction, hybrid delivery, or online education.
The Diploma year (Year 2) Therapeutic Recreation – diploma focuses on the concepts, theory, and practical experiences related to leadership and critical thinking in order to prepare graduates to work more independently. Available through on-campus instruction, hybrid delivery, or online education.

Student Success
Students are more likely to be successful in this program if they:
Are physically and emotionally able to manage workplace demands.

• Have access to a vehicle to travel to complete their practicum.
• Have access to a computer and basic computer skills
• Applicants are requested to review the job requirements listed below and assess their ability to fulfill the demands of the therapeutic recreation occupation.

Working in therapeutic recreation, you must be able to:

• Work shifts and weekends
• Be on your feet for extended periods of time
• Use your knees, back, and arms to move clients who have minimal body strength
• Be comfortable taking a leadership role in groups of all sizes
• Work with clients of all ages, cultures, and genders
• Function effectively independently, on a team, and in stressful situations
• Demonstrate adaptability and critical thinking skills