Pharmacy Assistant Duties
A pharmacy assistant, known has a pharmacy aide, provides administrative support to a pharmacy under the supervision of a pharmacy technician or pharmacist. A pharmacy assistant primarily works in a retail drugstore, grocery store or retail pharmacy performing cashier and clerk duties.
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Function
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A pharmacy assistant is responsible for answering phones, taking inventory, stocking shelves, handling transactions and directing any specific prescription or drug questions to the pharmacist. Depending on the size and location of the pharmacy, a pharmacy assistant may also maintain patient records, prepare insurance claim forms, take inventory of over-the-counter drugs, perform record keeping and complete maintenance of equipment or supplies.
Education
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Most pharmacy assistants are trained on the job, however in some establishments, pharmacy assistants are required to have a high school diploma, some college courses in basic medical terminology, strong customer service and exceptional communication skills. Depending on the size and location of pharmacy, a pharmacy assistant will train under a pharmacy technician or pharmacist.
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Advancement
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment outlook for pharmacy assistants are expected to decline by 11 percent from 2006 to 2016, due to the fact that most pharmacies will start to use pharmacy technicians to take on administrative duties, therefore a pharmacy assistant who completes additional certification and education will have the opportunity to advance into a pharmacy technician position fairly quickly.
Average Salary
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According to Payscale.com, the U.S. national average hourly salary in 2009 for a pharmacy assistant with one to four years of experience ranged from $7.78 to $10.23. Depending on the size and location of pharmacy, a pharmacy assistant may be bonus-eligible. The U.S. national average bonus for a pharmacy aide with one to four years of experience is $50, according to Payscale.com.
Considerations
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Most pharmacy assistants are employed by retail pharmacies, grocery stores or mass retailers who may have extended or 24-hour service, therefore depending on the pharmacy schedule, a pharmacy assistant may be required to work evenings, nights and some holidays.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Pills/Medical Clipart/classroomclipart.com
