A pharmacy is where medications are stored, prepared, and distributed to local populations. Along with dispensing prescriptions, pharmacies also provide health care services such as screenings and consultations.
Pharmacies must enroll in the Medicaid Fee-For-Service (FFS) program to service Medicaid members, and pharmacies should verify each MMC plan or ID card for its Client Identification Number (CIN) so they submit claims to the correct program.
Licensed Pharmacists
Licensed pharmacists are highly-skilled clinical health care professionals who store, prepare, and dispense medication according to state and federal laws for local patient populations. In addition, licensed pharmacists also offer health care services like providing drug information counseling and vaccination administration.
ICU pharmacists dedicate much of their time and attention to critical activities: direct care, teaching, order processing, and administrative functions. Furthermore, they serve on various Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committees and subcommittees.
In November 2016, the Staten Island Pharmacy Department joined NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Christopher Nicholson to make Narcan, an antidote for overdoses, freely available for residents on Staten Island. Their pharmacy staff also leads community efforts to train members to administer Narcan. This was the first time a hospital made Narcan available this way – another measure the department took to prevent substance abuse within Staten Island communities.
Licensed Pharmacy Technicians
Pharmacy technicians are highly skilled professionals who work directly under the direction of licensed pharmacists. Their primary function is using technology to fill prescriptions, order and receive shipments, stock medications for patient use units, process controlled substance requisitions for review by licensed pharmacists, respond quickly to pharmacy-related patient queries or concerns, and address them quickly.
Many states require an employment requirement before one can become a licensed pharmacy technician, and one way of fulfilling it would be participating in hospital externship or practicum programs while still in school – it provides an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience!
Licensed Nurses
Nurses play an indispensable role in public health as licensed clinical professionals. At present, nurses are helping administer COVID-19 vaccines at City-run Vaccine Hubs located across all five boroughs and volunteering with first-care pharmacies or even the New York City Medical Reserve Corps.
Nurses offer many services related to pharmaceutical care, such as health screenings, disease state management, and education classes. Students interested in becoming nurses should refer to St. John’s nursing program for further details regarding professional licensure requirements in states other than New York. Click here for additional information regarding St John’s’ Nursing, Pharmacy & Health Sciences Pathway.
Licensed Social Workers
Social workers assist in accessing services like food stamps, Medicaid, housing assistance, and financial resources for patients. They can assist in filling out paperwork related to these programs at most NYU Langone locations, such as family health centers or Rusk Rehabilitation.
Many study participants stressed the need for a more significant social worker presence at pharmacies, believing having staff with diverse life experiences would make them feel more at ease and understood.
Social workers in this study expressed concern that pharmacists may not always know about insurance assistance programs like ADAP. They were incredibly skeptical that pharmacists who do not routinely fill HIV prescriptions would understand all drug coverage options for people living with HIV. Social workers believe pharmacists should possess the resources necessary to answer questions regarding the application.
Licensed Mental Health Counselors
Licensed counselors can assist with issues like depression, substance use or suicidal thoughts, anxiety, or stress management. Together with you, they can develop a treatment plan and offer ongoing support – either in person at a MinuteClinic or remotely through video visits with licensed counselors – both options covered by many employer-sponsored health plans.
*MinuteClinic Virtual Care is available at select CVS HealthHUB(tm) locations, and the cost varies based on insurer coverage; please reach out directly for more details about coverage for this service.
Licensed Dietitians
Dietetic consultation from registered dietitians has long been considered an invaluable service to people suffering from chronic diseases or looking to manage weight. Unfortunately, pharmacists with dietician professionals have not seen an increase despite the importance of dietetic advice to their customers.
This research conducted to explore the merits and viability of incorporating registered dietitians/dietitians into community pharmacies was completed with participation from 66 registered dietitians/dietitians working within pharmacies with and without registered dietitians/dietitians responding to our questionnaire.
Dietitians were significantly more likely to provide dietetic consultation for obesity and hypertension than pharmacists. Furthermore, registered dietitians conducted more consultations for kidney disease not requiring dialysis, hyperuricemia, gout, and obesity than pharmacists did, suggesting cooperation between pharmacists and registered dietitians is necessary in promoting dietetic consultation at community pharmacies.
Licensed Massage Therapists
Licensed massage therapists work in various environments, from spas and resorts to health clubs, hospitals/rehab centers, and acupuncture practices. After spending thousands in education/training to meet the minimum requirements to become licensed, licensed therapists work tirelessly at building professional reputations – often using this license as an entryway into other healthcare specializations.
Unfortunately, when facing an investigation by their state department of health, practitioners sometimes decide it’s cheaper and easier to give up their license rather than fight for their rights. When this occurs, it can be devastatingly detrimental to their career and personal reputation, not to mention having long-term implications on obtaining one elsewhere.
Licensed Physical Therapists
NYC Care offers health care coverage to New Yorkers who do not qualify for or cannot afford health insurance and offers flexible payment plans starting from $0. No membership fees, monthly charges, or premiums are necessary; licensed physical therapists in First Care Pharmacy of NYC are ready to assist in improving overall quality of life; check the provider directory provided by DocFind, First Health Network, or Cofinity Inc. – An Aetna Company, before scheduling appointments.
Licensed Optometrists
Optometrists must complete 50 hours of continuing education (CE) every biennium. These CE hours must relate directly to optometry practice rather than office management or administration; courses should be sponsored by an accredited optometric college, school, or educational institution – home study courses that include tests or exams are acceptable for up to 8 hours in each renewal period; CPR certification or recertification counts towards this requirement, but only two hours may be counted towards renewal period totals.
Optometrists with credentials in expanded therapeutic procedures (ETP) must take an annual two-hour course on pain management and addiction disorders that is separate from their CE requirements. This course cannot be found under “certification requirements.”
Licensed Opticians
Opticians, or dispensing opticians, interpret prescriptions from optometrists and ophthalmologists, assist patients in selecting frames, and disperse lenses and glasses. In addition, licensed opticians also prepare orders for optical labs and repair broken structures while keeping records and maintaining inventory.
Your state may allow you to become an optician by enrolling in a postsecondary course or earning an associate degree in ophthalmic dispensing. Most programs provide both coursework and practical experience.
Most states require opticians to pass both written and practical exams administered by either the American Board of Opticianry, Capitol Hill Testing Service, or another authorized testing company. Once licensed opticians pass their exams, they must also complete 30 hours of continuing education annually (including 9 hours explicitly dedicated to eye disease courses).
