Leeward CC and DOE Partnerships: Pearl City HS first Pharmacy Tech class

Partnership Provides Pharmacy Technician Training for Pearl City High School Seniors

Fifteen Pearl City High School (PCHS) seniors are participating in the school's first Pharmacy Technician program . One of Hawaii P-20’s College & Career initiatives brought together Pearl City High School, Pearl City Highlands Intermediate School, and Leeward Community College (OCEWD) as a team to focus on building a comprehensive college and career program that allows smoother and seamless transition for students moving into college and/or a career. This generous grant provided funding for high-impact activities that help bridge the gaps from intermediate school to high school and prepare students for a successful future in pursuing college or career. Through the grant, PCHS identified OCEWD’s Pharmacy Technician Certification Program as a great opportunity for those students who may not have thought of college as an option.

With the ability to customize courses and deliver on-location, OCEWD provided an instructor and worked with the high school to prepare the curriculum, and accommodate the students and their schedules. Many PCHS students are interested in health careers but they have diverse interests and goals. Introducing them to a training program like this lays the foundation for a career as a Pharmacy Technician, and they'll gain knowledge about related health careers.

Pearl City HS seniors join instructor Cindy Khamphaphanh online to take their final exam.

Normally delivered in-person, at the PCHS campus, this course recently had to be moved to online instruction due to the coronavirus. OCEWD was able to quickly work with the school to deliver the last few sessions of the course online, including the final exam. CVS Health/Longs Drugs is also offering direct employment for this cohort instead of their normal 100 hour externship. The students plan on taking their exam for a national certification - the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) - this summer.

"The instructor, Miss Cindy, was supportive and so very patient with our students. The OCEWD staff were extremely professional every step of the way, from marketing, to registration, and even in the unexpected shift to online course delivery."

- Eunice Espinosa, PCHS Academy Director

OCEWD continues to partner with other schools in the community to educate and train the next generation of Hawaii's workforce. If you're interested in working together, please email us .

INSTRUCTOR SPOTLIGHT

Cindy Khamphaphanh

Pharmacy Technician Instructor

Cindy is from Honolulu, one of six children, but her parents are originally from Laos, making her a second generation immigrant. She graduated from McKinley High School, then went on to receive her BA in Microbiology from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa. She earned her pharmacy degree from the UH Hilo College of Pharmacy and now works at Times Supermarkets Pharmacy as a Diabetes Educator. This Pearl City cohort gave Cindy an opportunity to pursue one of her interests, teaching, and helps her make an impact on the next generation of Pharmacy Technicians,

"As a pharmacist, I know that Pharmacy Technicians are the true heroes in running a successful pharmacy. Fresh out of pharmacy school I was thrown into the fire. With no prior experience I struggled a lot. The technicians ended up being my saviors. I want to make sure all of my students are prepared in a way that I never was."

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As part of Leeward Community College, the Office of Continuing Education & Workforce Development (OCEWD) is committed to the mission and strategic initiatives of both the campus and the University of Hawai‘i Community Colleges and System. We do this by positioning ourselves as a leader in local workforce training and certification, providing high-quality courses and programs in an inclusive, accessible, environment. Our flexibility and willingness to partner enable us to build strong relationships with educators, community programs, and businesses. We provide creative, innovative solutions to address specific needs within local industries and our community.

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