Back to School: A Prescription for Success
Pictured (standing): Lead pharmacy tech and teacher Jennifer Bassett, pharmacy tech Iryna Yefremova, manager Oeiyin Yuen and recent academy tech graduate Loki Capone. In front: Lead pharmacy tech and teacher Crystal Burt with recent grad Christine Wu.
Growing our own: Cape Cod Hospital’s Pharmacy Tech Academy builds pathways to healthcare careers.
For a new generation of aspiring pharmacy technicians, heading “back to school” looks a little different. At Cape Cod Hospital, it means hitting the books, learning from seasoned professionals and gaining hands-on experience in a real-world healthcare setting.
Launched in June 2024, the Cape Cod Hospital Pharmacy Tech Academy is opening career pathways and strengthening the hospital’s ability to deliver exceptional pharmaceutical care.
“We wanted to create a program that not only trains but empowers members of our community to build a healthcare career from the ground up,” says Oeiyin Yuen, Manager, Hospital Pharmacy Support Staff.
This 16-week training program offers a combination of hands-on job experience, weekly in-person lectures and online learning modules. Students follow the ASHP Manual for Pharmacy Technicians (5th Edition), supplemented by workbooks and exam prep materials for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam.
The idea for the academy was born out of necessity. In late 2023, Cape Cod Hospital was grappling with a growing challenge: nearly 20 percent of pharmacy technician positions were unfilled, and certified candidates were scarce across the region. It was a gap that demanded a creative solution—one that eventually became a model for workforce development.
Building opportunity from within
Christine Wu, Loki Capone and Sheila Norcia were in the second cohort of the academy program. All three earned their pharmacy tech state license in January.
The first Pharmacy Tech Academy class welcomed two students last June: Angelysa Garcia, a Massachusetts-licensed pharmacy tech, and Dahalia Howell, already PTCB-certified. Both became the program’s first two graduates.
A second cohort began in October 2024, with Christine Wu, Shelia Norcia and Loki Capone—who all earned their Massachusetts state licenses by January 2025.
For students like Christine, the program opened doors she never thought possible. “I came in with zero healthcare experience. I was just an undergrad looking to break into the field,” says Christine. “The way the academy was structured—weekly classroom lectures combined with hands-on experience—really helped me understand how a hospital pharmacy works.”
She added, “What’s incredible is that someone with no background can apply, train and be licensed—all in one place. It’s a gateway into healthcare.”
Loki Capone, another recent trainee, echoed that sentiment. “I was working overnights at Stop & Shop before this. I had no pharmacy experience. My mom encouraged me to apply,” says Loki, who earned his state license and is now studying for the national certification exam.
From inspiration to implementation
Academy graduates Dahalia Howell and Iryna Yefremova, are both nationally certified pharmacy techs.
It all started with Iryna Yefremova, who joined the CCH Pharmacy team in December 2023 as a trainee candidate before there was a formal training plan in place. With informal support from the hospital team, she independently enrolled in an online pharmacy technician course through Cape Cod Community College, ultimately earning her Massachusetts state license. In winter 2024, she achieved another milestone—becoming the first nationally certified pharmacy technician (PTCB) trained in-house.
“It was hard because I’m from Ukraine and the language was a challenge,” says Iryna. “But everyone supported me. Now, I work in the IV room in oncology, mixing medications for cancer patients.”
Her success story helped build the foundation for what would become the Pharmacy Tech Academy. “She really paved the way,” says Oeiyin.
While supporting Iryna’s journey, James Mangan, Executive Director of Pharmacy Operations, and the pharmacy leadership team began exploring the state regulations for pharmacy technician licensure. In doing so, they discovered a recently added third pathway to licensure: On-the-job training including a competency examination.
Structured, supportive, and career-driven
Now a formalized program, the Pharmacy Tech Academy is designed to set students up for long-term success. The curriculum covers six core competencies taught by CCHC’s pharmacy staff—each bringing years of hands-on experience and a wealth of practical knowledge:
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Practice settings
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Duties and responsibilities of pharmacy technicians
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Pharmacy laws and patient confidentiality
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Medical abbreviations and symbols
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Common dosage calculations
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Drug identification, administration routes and storage requirements
“We assign each instructor a chapter to teach based on their area of expertise,” says Oeiyin. “It’s a true collaboration between inpatient and retail pharmacy departments.”
Students must complete 500 hours of on-the-job training and pass a hospital-administered competency exam before applying for state licensure. From there, they are encouraged to pursue national certification through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
Training the next generation
Lead pharmacy techs Jennifer Bassett and Crystal Burt are also on-the-job teachers.
The success of the program has also created new leadership opportunities. Crystal Burt and Jennifer Bassett, both seasoned pharmacy technicians, now serve as lead techs and on-the-job trainers.
“It’s exciting to share what we know and help others grow,” says Jennifer, who has been with Cape Cod Healthcare for 14 years. “This program didn’t just solve a staffing issue—it created a path for others and gave long-term employees like us a chance to grow, too.”
Crystal, who has been with Cape Cod Healthcare for 10 years, agrees. “We show trainees how things are done properly, from the ground up. It’s rewarding to see them gain confidence and skills.”
A sustainable solution
What began as a workaround for staffing shortages has evolved into a robust, sustainable workforce development model.
“We’re no longer scrambling to find certified technicians,” says Oeiyin. “We’re investing in our own community, training people thoroughly and giving them a fulfilling career path in healthcare.”
As the academy continues to grow, the goal remains clear: empower local residents, strengthen the workforce and ensure patients receive safe, high-quality pharmacy care.
“It’s more than a training program,” says Oeiyin. “It’s a game-changer.”
