Authorization Requirements
To administer drugs and vaccines by injection in any setting, an applicant must:
- be a student who is enrolled in at least the second year at a CCAPP–accredited pharmacy program; OR, be an intern registered with the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba (CPhM);
- have successfully completed injection administration training as part of their pharmacy education program offered at a CCAPP accredited pharmacy program; OR successfully completed a CCCEP Stage II competency mapped injection training program;
- have successfully completed the Manitoba Module: Administration of Injections;
- be under the supervision of an injection certified Full Registered Pharmacist as prescribed by the legislation;
- possess and maintain current certification in CPR Level C (or HCP or BLS) AND Emergency or Standard First Aid as per the requirements below; and,
- submit a completed Student and Intern Application for Authorization to Administer Drugs and Vaccines by Injection.
Pharmacy students and interns must submit a completed application to CPhM and receive authorization before administering drugs or vaccines by injection regardless of the practice setting. This includes injections administered:
- while on an educational rotation or placements; and,
- while employed outside an educational rotation or placement.
In addition, students and interns are reminded that, upon receiving Full Registered Pharmacist status with a license to practice issued by CPhM, an application for Authorization to Administer Drugs and Vaccines by Injection as a licensed pharmacist must be completed and submitted.
First Aid and CPR Training Requirements
Students and interns with injection authorization must possess and maintain current certification in CPR Level C (or HCP or BLS) AND Emergency or Standard First Aid from an in-person training program, delivered by a first aid training provider in accordance with the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Z1210-17, First aid training for the workplace, to meet the requirements of the Workplace Safety and Health Regulation.
Students and interns must ensure that any first aid training provider meets the minimum required practical training hours for first aid:
- Basic level: 3.5 hours or
- Intermediate level: 7 hours
Knowledge and theory components may be delivered in class or through a blended learning approach with no set time requirements.
Recertification training may be completed in fewer hours, but the instructor must fully evaluate the participant on all required knowledge and practical skill components.
How to Apply
Submit the following documents to registration@cphm.ca mailbox and use the subject line: “Student and Intern Injection Auth Application: Your Name – Your CPhM Applicant #”
- The Application Form is available in your Registrant Portal via the following:
- My Groups > Active Registrants > Fillable Forms > Expanded Scope of Practices > Student and Intern Application
- Submit the supporting documents outlined in the application form (see Application Details)
Maintaining Your Authorization Post Graduation or Completion of Internship
Following graduation from a CCAPP accredited pharmacy program or completion of the internship, you must apply to receive authorization to administer drugs and vaccines by injection as a licensed pharmacist. For more information, visit https://cphm.ca/practice-education/administer-drugs-vaccines/.
Frequently Asked Questions
I am a pharmacy student, do I need professional liability insurance to have this authorization?
As a student or intern, you are not required by CPhM to hold professional liability insurance. If you will be administering injections outside of your educational placements, please check with your employer to confirm what liability coverage is provided.
Do I have to re-apply each student year level until I graduate in order to keep this authorization?
CPhM sends out a targeted communication with the opening of the “Annual Registration of Students and Interns”. The communication will include instructions on how you can re-establish your injection authorization.
What does direct supervision mean?
As per the Supervision Practice Direction, direct supervision is defined as:
2.1 “direct supervision” means supervision provided by a person who
2.1.1 is physically present on the premises where the practice being supervised is being carried out; and
2.1.2 is able to observe and promptly intervene and stop or change the actions of the individual who is under supervision
What drugs or vaccines can I inject as a pharmacy student or pharmacy intern?
Pharmacy students and interns may only administer drugs and vaccines prescribed by an “authorized practitioner” or those listed in Schedule 2 to the Regulation, according to the requirements of the provincial immunization program. Note that at this time, pharmacy students are not permitted to administer a drug prescribed for contraception, unless it is prescribed by an “authorized practitioner” (note: pharmacists are not considered “authorized practitioners” under federal legislation).
Resources
- Pharmacy Student Administration of Drugs and Vaccines by Injection Pharmaceutical Regulation, amendment
- Administration of Injections Reference
- Practice Direction Standard of Practice # 5: Administration of Drugs including Vaccines
- Administration of Drugs Including Vaccines Policy and Procedure Manual Content Template. This document outlines the minimum content of a manual for the administration of drugs and vaccines. It is a tool pharmacy professionals/managers can use to develop a site-specific manual on the administration of drugs and vaccines by injection as required by the practice direction listed above.
- Position Statement on Injections of Neuromodulators and Dermal Fillers
- Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration: Causes, Response, and Prevention
- Immunization Program Manual for Immunization Providers in Manitoba
- Needle Stick Injury Guidelines
- Pharmacist Administration of Hazardous Medications
- Administration of Injections to Young Children (Ages 2-5) Resource List
- Medication Incidents in COVID-19 Vaccine Administration in Children: Contributing Factors and Prevention Strategies
- Manitoba Module: Administration of Injections (for reference without post-test)
- Lessons from Complaints: A Series on Injection-Related Best Practices — Part 1: Best Practices Review for Pharmacists
- Lessons from Complaints: A Series on Injection-Related Best Practices — Part 2: Trends in Injection-Related Complaints