Pharmacy Aide

Your Fit

Income

$42K

Preparation

Some

Growth

-2.8%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Pharmacy Aide?

A Pharmacy Aide assists pharmacists in managing the operations of a pharmacy. They are responsible for administrative tasks, inventory management, and customer service, but do not handle medication preparation.

Sample job titles:

Certified Pharmacist Assistant, Pharmacy Aide, Pharmacy Assistant, Pharmacy Clerk

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Pharmacy Aide.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Pharmacy Aide earn

Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2024 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is Pharmacy Aide.

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$33K per year	$35K per year	$42K per year	$52K per year	$60K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $23K below the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Pharmacy Aide do?

Work environment

Pharmacy Aides typically work in retail pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, or healthcare facilities. The environment is structured and requires interaction with pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and customers. Aides work regular hours, but in retail settings, these may include evenings and weekends.

Quick task list

Manages inventory, including stocking and ordering pharmacy supplies.
Handles customer transactions and processes insurance claims.
Answers phones and responds to customer or patient inquiries.
Maintains patient records and pharmacy files.
Assists with the organization and cleanliness of the pharmacy.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Retail Pharmacy Aide: Specializing in customer service and operations in a retail pharmacy setting.
Hospital Pharmacy Aide: Focusing on supporting pharmacists in hospital settings, often dealing with a wider range of medications and supplies.
Administrative Pharmacy Aide: Concentrating on the clerical and administrative aspects of running a pharmacy.
Inventory Specialist: Managing and organizing pharmacy inventory, including handling orders and stock levels.

Description

Pharmacy Aides play a critical support role in the operation of pharmacies. They ensure that the administrative and clerical aspects of the pharmacy run smoothly, which allows pharmacists and technicians to focus more on patient care and medication management. Aides need to be well-organized, as they handle a variety of tasks including inventory management, customer service, and record-keeping.

In this role, strong communication skills are essential, as aides often interact with customers, addressing inquiries and managing transactions. They also need to be familiar with pharmacy operations, insurance procedures, and basic healthcare knowledge. While they do not handle medications directly, an understanding of pharmacy practices and terminology is beneficial.

This occupation suits those who are interested in the field of pharmacy but prefer a more administrative role. It offers an opportunity to work in the healthcare sector without the requirement for extensive specialized education. For those interested in advancing, this role can provide a foundation for further education and career development in pharmacy or healthcare administration.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Contributing to the healthcare community in a supportive role.
Interacting with and assisting customers or patients, often providing essential information and guidance.
Working in a structured environment with a clear set of responsibilities.

You might make a good Pharmacy Aide if you are...

Organized and detail-oriented, capable of managing inventory and records efficiently.
A strong communicator, able to interact effectively with customers and healthcare professionals.
Interested in the healthcare field, especially pharmacy, but prefer a role that doesn't involve direct medication handling.
Good at multitasking and handling administrative tasks.
Able to follow procedures and guidelines precisely, especially when dealing with healthcare information.

Pros:

Steady employment in the growing healthcare sector.
Opportunities to interact with a variety of people, providing customer service.
A stepping stone for further career advancement in healthcare or pharmacy.

Cons:

May involve repetitive tasks and require long periods of standing, especially in retail settings.
Limited direct involvement with medication preparation and healthcare decision-making.
The need to handle sensitive patient information requires strict adherence to confidentiality and privacy laws.

How to become a Pharmacy Aide

Typical education

Usually, a high school diploma or equivalent is required for this role. On-the-job training is provided, and some employers may prefer candidates with some postsecondary education or certification in pharmacy technology or a related field.

High school preparation

Courses:

Basic Health Sciences to understand healthcare fundamentals.
Business and Math for skills in inventory management and transactions.
Communication Studies to develop effective customer service and interpersonal skills.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Volunteering at healthcare facilities or community health events.
Joining health-focused clubs or groups.
Participating in business or customer service related workshops or seminars.

Preparation after high school

Consider a certificate program in pharmacy technology or healthcare administration.
Gain experience through entry-level positions in retail or hospital pharmacies.
Pursue internships or part-time jobs that offer customer service experience.

More resources

American Association of Pharmacy Technicians (AAPT) - Provides resources and information for those interested in a career in pharmacy services.
Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) - Offers certification and resources for advancing in pharmacy-related careers.
Occupational Information Network (O*NET Online) - Detailed job descriptions and requirements for Pharmacy Aides.

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