How to Become a Pharmacy Aide

As the population ages, the demand for pharmacists and pharmacy aides is at an all time high. Pharmacy aides are assistants to the pharmacist, and are mainly employed in retail pharmacies. Most of them work in independent or chain drug stores. A small percentage work as hospital pharmacy aides.

Instructions

1. Get a high school diploma or a GED, which are required of all pharmacy aides.

2. Keep a clean record, with no arrests for drug abuse or other recorded problems with controlled substances, which would rule you out for a pharmacy aide job.

3. Get some experience in a retail setting, such as working as a cashier. Get some light computer experience so that you are familiar with basic programs and can work quickly as required by pharmacies. Have a knack for basic math to be able to keep up with the counting and inventories necessary as an aide.

4. Look for an available pharmacy aide job by reviewing at the classified ads in the newspaper and online. Call local pharmacies and ask whether they will soon have a job available for a pharmacy aide. Emphasize your communication skills, since much of the job requires keeping in excellent communication with the pharmacist.

5. Receive most of your specialized training while on the job. Work closely with the pharmacist and understand the many tasks that will be expected of you. Learn to work well with the public and to be patient of customers who are in ill-humor due to illness.

6. Work more independently after the training is completed.