CVS Caremark donated $50,000 for the new laboratory for Westchester Community College’s new pharmacy technician program at the EOC to train underserved adults in this booming field

YONKERS, N.Y. – Members of the media attended a ribbon cutting as Westchester Community College and CVS Caremark officially opened a Pharmacy Practice Laboratory for the school’s new pharmacy technician program at the Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) for underserved adults. The lab is at EOC’s 26 South Broadway location in Yonkers. The new laboratory enables students to sharpen their skills in a practice setting as they learn how to dispense medication and utilize state-of-the-art technology found in many pharmacies. CVS Caremark donated $50,000 for the new laboratory, and is also partnering with the college on the pharmacy technician training program that launched in March 2010.

The 18-week program prepares students for career oriented employment in the pharmaceutical industry, which continues to be a growing field. The program offers twelve weeks of instruction in the principles and practices of pharmacy technicians, the fundamentals of pharmacology, and career readiness, along with a four-week internship at a local CVS/pharmacy store.

Successful graduates of the program will be eligible to take a national exam to become a certified pharmacy technician, and will be considered for employment with CVS/pharmacy as pharmacy technicians. EOC is part of a statewide network of educational enterprises that provide tuition-free community-based academic and workforce development training programs and services for eligible adult learners.

"We are pleased that CVS Caremark has provided us with a new laboratory and partnered with us for our pharmacy technician program, so that we may attract underserved adults and train them for pharmacy careers," said Renée Guy, Associate Dean and Director of EOC for Westchester Community College. "As the demand for pharmacy technicians increases nationwide, due to an aging population and increased use of prescription drugs, Westchester Community College expects strong interest in our new pharmacy technician program. Partnerships such as with CVS Caremark will help us provide our students with the education they need for jobs in solid career tracks, and in growing industries."

"CVS Caremark is committed to building an outstanding workforce and to improving the communities where we do business," said Steve Wing, Director of Workforce Initiatives for CVS Caremark. "We are pleased to partner with Westchester Community College to help train the next generation of quality pharmacy technicians, and to provide them with job opportunities at CVS/pharmacy stores."

The Pharmacy Practice Laboratory houses three state-of-the-art work stations as well as a cash register that allow students to gain experience in customer service, and in entering and assessing patient-related information such as health, allergy and medication history. The work stations also provide access to other technical support needed to ensure appropriate delivery of medications, patient counseling, and medication therapy management. The laboratory is also stocked with mock prescription bottles and over-the-counter products.

Student Janele Skolinsky says the pharmacy technician program “has given me the tools and knowledge I need to succeed in this exciting field.” Janele, who was laid off due to the recession earlier this year, saw information on the program on the New York State Department of Labor’s web site, which indicated the availability of the local EOC program.

Chanel Boston, another student, says “enrolling in this program has been a life-changing experience for me. The classes have challenged me to go beyond my limits, and with the support of the teachers and staff, I know that I am destined to succeed.” Chanel, who is 28, says “I am at the point in my life where I am tired of working dead-end jobs with little or no opportunity for career advancement. I did some research and was very intrigued by the profession of a pharmacy technician and how it is one of the fastest-growing entry-level careers in the medical field. I signed up at EOC, and was accepted into the program. This is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

About the Educational Opportunity Center
Funded by the State University of New York (SUNY), University Center of Academic and Workforce Development (UCAWD), EOC is part of a statewide network of educational enterprises that provide tuition-free community-based academic and workforce development training programs and services for eligible adult learners. In addition to the Certified Pharmacy Technician Training Program, EOC offers a variety of training options in the allied health and business fields. It also provides training in ESOL, General Educational Development (GED), and College Preparation programs. For more information, contact the EOC at 606-7621.

About Westchester Community College
Westchester Community College is the largest educational institution in the county. More than 24,000 students attend affordable classes at the main campus in Valhalla and extension locations throughout Westchester.

About CVS Caremark
CVS Caremark is the largest pharmacy health care provider in the United States. Through its integrated offerings across the entire spectrum of pharmacy care, the company is uniquely positioned to provide greater access, to engage plan members in behaviors that improve their health, and to lower overall health care costs for health plans, plan sponsors and their members. CVS Caremark is a market leader in mail order pharmacy, retail pharmacy, specialty pharmacy, and retail clinics, and is a leading provider of Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans. As one of the country's largest pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs), the company provides access to a network of more than 64,000 pharmacies, including approximately 7,000 CVS/pharmacy(R) stores that provide unparalleled service and capabilities. CVS Caremark’s clinical expertise includes one of the industry's most comprehensive disease management programs. General information about CVS Caremark is available through the Company's Web site at http://info.cvscaremark.com/.