The student will:

• State the objectives listed in the Pharmacy Technician Model Curriculum as identified by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), the only accrediting body for Pharmacy Technician Program in the United States.
• Differentiate between the educational preparation, clinical roles and responsibilities, and practice laws pertaining to the pharmacist and the pharmacy technician.
• Describe the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and its national exam process.
• Explain pharmacy terminology with respect to common dosages, abbreviations, and routes of administration.
• Apply pharmacy calculations to various medication orders/prescriptions.
• Discuss laws affecting pharmacy practice.
• Interpret medication orders and prescriptions.
• Describe the important factors that affect drug activity.
• Identify pharmacy references available in practice settings to answer medication related questions.
• Identify pharmaceutical compounding equipment.
• Relate the importance of aseptic technique to intravenous compounding.
• Identify the major causes of medication errors.
• Demonstrate an understanding of pharmacy purchasing and inventory control.
• Differentiate between institutional, ambulatory, home care, mail service and managed care pharmacy practices.
• Examine financial issues affecting pharmacy practice including third party programs, online adjudication, rejected claims, and management company audits.
• Illustrate how good interpersonal skills lead to better customer/patient services.
• Partake in a site visit and compare the operational systems of organized pharmaceutical facilities.
• Discuss the various career opportunities for the Pharmacy Technician.

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.

Prior to scheduling an appointment with the program coordinator, a potential student should take the placement test and/or submit transcripts of previous completed coursework. If the student completed Elementary Algebra (or higher) at another college with a “B” or better within the last three (3) years, proficiency in Elementary Algebra has already been shown and the prerequisite would be met.

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 for the SSC Pharmacy Technician Program. Eligibility for licensure may be limited by the results of a criminal background investigation. A drug screening and CPR certification are required for the PHT internship and may be required by most pharmacy employers. Any defaults on college loans would mean the future loss of the pharmacy technician license.

A grade of “C” or better is required in the PHT program and general education courses. In addition to the coursework, students perform 150 to 300 supervised hours in many 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.

1. Submit an SSC application and forward all official high school or HSE/GED® transcripts as well as other college transcripts directly to the Office of Admissions. Please note that admission to South Suburban College does not necessarily guarantee acceptance to the Pharmacy Technician Program.
2. Submit the Pharmacy Technician Program Application form to the Program at any time, but preferably no later than November 15th for Spring admission or May 1st for Fall admission, please contact the program coordinator to see if there are any available seats left.

   Pharmacy Technician Program Application

3. A photocopy of the student’s current health care insurance must be submitted to the program coordinator in order to participate at any clinical education site. Failure to maintain comprehensive health care insurance will result in the student being immediately withdrawn from the clinical site and thereby receiving a failing grade in the clinical education class. Furthermore, the student will be financially responsible to pay all medical bills and copayments as a result of injuries or health issues that arise from participation of clinical education programs.

A special tuition rate exists for the Indiana residents, Chicago residents, and other cooperating community college students who enroll in the SSC Pharmacy Technician program.

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