SOUTH HOLLAND, IL– South Suburban College’s Pharmacy Technician Program has undergone a series of changes over the past academic year under the direction of new program coordinator Alfred Evans. Changes include new curriculum and delivery strategies, and most recently, the college announced its new Pharmacy Faculty Advisory Board.
The advisory board includes the following regional experts and SSC personnel:
- Dr. Laura Licari, PharmD, President, Illinois Pharmacist Association and Instructor, Roosevelt U College of Pharmacy
- Ms. Tamera M. Scott, CPhT, Certified Pharmacy Technician, University of Chicago Hospital
- Reverend Calvin Bryant, Jr., R.Ph., MBA, Pharmacy Manager, Walgreens
- Dr. Rhonda K. Davis, PharmD, President, Chicago Pharmacists Association
- Mrs. Cindy Morris, Thornwood High School Division Leader for Science/CTE
- Dr. Adrienne Reaves, Allied Health Chair, South Suburban College
- Jeffery J. Waddy, Dean of Allied Health, South Suburban College
- Mrs. Veretta Brooks, Allied Health Administrative Assistant, South Suburban College
- Mrs. Linda Bathgate, College Academic Counselor, South Suburban College
- Dr. Dectric Fletcher, MD, Adjunct Faculty, South Suburban College
- Professor Aleta Kemp, R.Ph., Adjunct Faculty, South Suburban College
- Alfred W. Evans Jr., R.Ph., MSJ, Program Coordinator, Pre-Pharmacy and Pharmacy Technician Programs, South Suburban College
“I am so thankful to have these experts committed to advising our pharmacy programs,” said Evans. “It brings SSC to the forefront in educating pharmacy technicians with the new implementation of higher standards and quality of pharmaceutical care. These highly talented professionals are committed to the community by providing quality education that focuses on the public’s health, safety and welfare in the delivery of pharmaceutical care and medication therapy.”
Since Evans arrived in 2019, he has worked to streamline the program to meet the needs of both Pharmacy Technicians and Pre-Pharmacy Transfer students more efficiently, and yet maintain all requirements of the accrediting organizations. New to the Pharmacy Technician Program is the Entry Level Pharm Tech Course, an 8-week summer offering which is the approximate time required to acquire the State of Illinois Pharmacy Technician License. Students will complete their licensure application during the course. There is also a new 16-week Advanced Level Pharm Tech Course offered in the fall and spring Semesters. The entry level and advanced level programs are guidelines established within the industry that provides technicians with either a job used as a stepping stone or a career that sustains the quality of the professions in pharmacy.
To achieve the Pharmacy Technician Certificate from SSC – a critical component to becoming hired as a pharm tech – students must complete a minimum of 39 hours including prerequisites. The Pre-Pharmacy Transfer curriculum offers a 45-hour General Education pathway and aligns course requirements differently with regional schools of pharmacy as outlined in the catalog and on the college’s website: www.ssc.edu.
SSC’s Pharmacy Technician Program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). With the growing demand for pharm techs throughout the country, the ASHP will likely be making changes to standards for training pharm techs. According to Evans, SSC is preparing to be on the cutting edge of this transition.
“Productive, knowledgeable pharm techs are needed more than ever before in the workforce,” added Evans. “It’s an exciting time for our program because we are ready with the talent and technology to provide students with rewarding careers while meeting that demand.”
For more information, please call Alfred Evans, Coordinator, Pre-Pharmacy & Pharmacy Technician Programs, at (708) 596-2000 ext. 2204, or email aevans@ssc.edu.
