Technicians assisting pharmacists in the preparation and dispensing of medications can be trained through this fully-accredited certificate program. The full certificate program includes training in aseptic IV preparation, medication order processing, inventories, packaging, compounding, use of a prescription balance, and computers. Other pertinent courses are pharmacy math, pharmacy law, pharmacology, medical terminology and human body structure. Students are admitted to the Pharmacy Technician Program each semester. General education requirements can be taken at any time.

Currently a six credit hour course entitled PHT 115- Fundamentals of Pharmacy Tech Practice is being offered as an abbreviated alternative to the certificate program. PHT 115 was developed in response to the growing demand for more entry-level community pharmacy technicians and is not intended to replace the Pharmacy Technician accredited certificate program option. Students who successfully complete the PHT 115 course and who wish to enroll in the ASHP accredited pharmacy technician certificate program will receive a waiver for the PHT 100-Pharmacy Technician Orientation course.

A grade of “C” or better is required in all program and general education courses. In addition to the coursework, students perform 300 supervised hours in various pharmacy settings. For students with no prior employment in a pharmacy, the internships will require an equal number of hours in a community and a hospital pharmacy. If a student is employed in a pharmacy, the internships will be customized to recognize this previous experience. With the approval of the program coordinator and the academic administrator, currently employed pharmacy technicians may be granted credit for up to 75 internship hours towards completion of the appropriate internship course. The State of Illinois and Indiana require a pharmacy technician license prior to the beginning of the internships. The program coordinator will provide the application for pharmacy technician licenses at the appropriate time. Please note that it takes approximately eight weeks to receive this license from the states.

Due to the nature of internships, most assignments are for the daytime shifts. Internship assignments are at the discretion of the program coordinator/instructor. Students are responsible for transportation to and from the internship sites and must purchase a white lab jacket for use in both the lab classes and the internships.

Completion of the Pharmacy Technician Certificate Program does not fulfill the pre-pharmacy admission requirements for most senior college/university pharmacy programs. Please contact the Transfer Center or the PHT coordinator for additional information on the prerequisites needed to apply to a college of pharmacy. (Visit the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy website www aacp.org for more info).

The Pharmacy Technician Program is fully accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). The Pharmacy Technician Program is recognized as an approved training program by the Indiana State Board of Pharmacy. Both the State of Indiana and the State of Illinois requires a pharmacy technician license for internship and employment in a pharmacy.

Prior to enrolling in the Pharmacy Technician program, students are advised to review the applicable licensure procedures and requirements and state laws of the pharmacy profession to ensure that they are eligible to receive a license. Eligibility for licensure may be limited by the results of a criminal background investigation. Drug screening is usually required by most employers.

1. Submit an SSC Admissions Application/Registration form on-line and forward all high school, as well as other college transcripts, directly to the Office of Admissions and Records.

2. Submit the Pharmacy Technician Program Admission Application form to the Program Coordinator no later than November 15 for Spring admission or May 1 for Fall admission.

Although priority for admission will be given to in-district applicants who meet the published application deadline date, application forms will be accepted throughout the entire academic cycle. Please note that admission to South Suburban College does not necessarily guarantee acceptance to the Pharmacy Technician Program.

Admission to the Pharmacy Technician Program requires meeting with the program coordinator and successful completion of all developmental course(s) if indicated on the placement test in reading, English and math. To be considered, a student must complete the following prerequisites (with a grade of "C" or better; a grade of "B" or better is preferred in Elementary Algebra):

1. BIO 115 - Human Body Structure
2. MDR 102 - Fundamentals of Medical Terminology
3. Proficiency in Elementary Algebra (or higher) with a grade of "B" or better preferred
4. Proficiency in Typing/Computers (typing skills of 25 wpm a must)

A potential student should take the placement test prior to scheduling an appointment with the program coordinator. If the student completed Elementary Algebra (or higher) at another college, proficiency in elementary algebra has already been shown and the prerequisite would be met.

Iif you have any questions, please contact the counseling center at (708) 596-2000 ext. 2306 or the Pharmacy Technician Program Coordinator, Dr. Jan Keresztes at (708) 596-2000 ext. 2432, Room 4469H.