FLINT, Mich. — Diplomat Pharmacy Inc. has launched an expanded pharmacy technician certification program for employees, with a focus on specialty pharmacy.

The company said Thursday that its program, offered through its Diplomat University education arm and providing examinations on-site, has been approved by the Michigan Board of Pharmacy.

Though Diplomat has had a pharmacy tech training program since 2011, the new board-approved program boosts Diplomat’s efforts to support employees looking to achieve higher levels of education. Employees who complete the program and examination may be considered for state licensure.

Some of the courses being offered in the pharmacy tech training program include Introduction to Specialty Pharmacy, Operational Overview and Hands-On Training, Therapeutic Management of Specialty Pharmacy Disease States, Emerging Therapies, Injection Training and New Drug Updates. Continuing education credits are available for pharmacists, nurses and certified pharmacy technicians for select courses.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the need for employing pharmacy technicians is expected to rise 9% nationally through 2024, Diplomat reported.

“The need for licensed pharmacy technicians is growing tremendously in Michigan,” Stephanie LaPointe, manager of education and training at Diplomat, said in a statement. “Having a program at Diplomat that focuses on specialty pharmacy helps to ensure that the individuals serving in technician roles are appropriately supporting the specialty patient experience. Through this training program, Diplomat will continue to support its pharmacy staff professionally and provide the best customer care to our patients by becoming experts in their field.”