Binghamton University starts new pharmacy-technician program

VESTAL — Binghamton University says it has approved a new educational program through its School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. The pharmacy-technician program microcredential is a 19-week, 420-hour Binghamton University microcredential (noncredit) that will prepare graduates to start their careers in an expanding health-care field, the school said in an April 22 announcement. Kanneboyina Nagaraju, dean of the Binghamton’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, originated the program to help both local hospitals and the community. “Thanks to a generous grant,” the program is free for anyone who wants to enroll, Binghamton University said in its announcement. “There is an urgent need for pharmacy technicians in Southern Tier healthcare facilities,” Nagaraju said. “The School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is excited to offer this program for free to high school students in our area to fill this need. It will help encourage them to pursue a career in healthcare fields, especially pharmacy.” For a student to enroll in this program, they must be at least 18 years of age by July 1. Some of the requirements also include having a high-school diploma (by July 1) or high-school equivalency diploma or higher. They must also pass a criminal background check and urine drug screening. The deadline to enroll is June 1. To apply, go to the Binghamton University website and search for Pharmacy Technician Program Microcredential.

Pharmacy technician role

Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists in various tasks related to medication dispensing and patient care, the school said. The role of the pharmacy technician under the supervision of a pharmacist “has been expanded in recent years” to include medication reconciliation, screening for medication allergies. and immunization administration. Besides those activities, a pharmacy technician also focuses on dispensing new prescriptions and refilling orders, packing and labeling prescriptions, preparing sterile and nonsterile compounded medications, tracking medication inventory and processing insurance claims. “We are excited to partner with local community and hospital pharmacies to both help fill a need in their workforce and expand the interest in pharmacy and pharmacy-related careers locally,” said Sarah Spinler, professor, and co-chair of the department of pharmacy practice. “Faculty members Elizabeth Hageman, Kenneth McCall, Nick Schweir and Marissa Langett have been working together as a team for the past year developing our curriculum and admission processes. The microcredential approval is the icing on the cake.” “We are excited to identify persons locally who are interested in a high-demand healthcare career and train them to meet our local workforce needs,” Kenneth McCall, program director, co-chair, and clinical professor of pharmacy practice, said in the announcement.

Grant help, fee

For 2024, programmatic costs are funded through donations and a grant from the New York City–based Mother Cabrini Health Foundation. It includes supplies and online access to ASHP’s PharmTech Ready curriculum, which includes online learning lectures, videos and virtual laboratory simulations. These estimated expenses “represent a good-faith effort” to disclose the true costs of attendance. ASHP is the Bethesda, Maryland–based American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. In addition to these expenses, after graduation, a graduate will pay a $175 one-time fee to the New York State Education Department’s Office of the Professions for pharmacy-technician licensure.