Pharmacy Aides

Career summary

Pharmacy aides may also be called pharmacy assistants.

Pharmacy aides greet customers, answer the telephone, ring up sales, and handle money. They refer any questions regarding prescriptions or health matters to a pharmacist.

Pharmacy aides help to maintain patient profiles that contain information about the patient’s medication history. Aides also fill out insurance claim forms.

Aides take inventory of over-the-counter drugs. They also stock incoming supplies. They clean and maintain pharmacy equipment.

Pharmacy aides prepare packaging and prescription labels. Under the direction of a pharmacist some mix, package, and label medications. Aides also operate capsule and tablet counting machines. They deliver medication to treatment areas, such as in a hospital.

Related careers

This career is part of the Health Science cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Casino Gaming Workers
• Counter and Rental Clerks
• Health Information Technicians
• Library Assistants and Bookmobile Drivers
• Occupational Therapist Aides
• Pharmacists
• Pharmacy Technicians
• Physical Therapist Aides
• Postal Clerks

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to pharmacy aides.

• Accept prescriptions for filling.
• Answer telephone calls. Refer callers to pharmacist when necessary.
• Prepare medications for dispensing.
• Greet customers and help them locate merchandise.
• Unpack, sort, count, and label new merchandise.
• Prepare prescription labels by typing or using a computer and printer.
• Receive, store, and inventory pharmaceutical supplies. Notify pharmacist when supplies are low.
• Operate cash register.
• Provide customers with information about the uses and effects of drugs.
• Restock storage areas.
• Maintain records of inventories, receipts, purchases, and deliveries.
• Process insurance claims forms.
• Perform clerical tasks, such as filing and maintaining prescription records.
• Mix, package, and label pharmaceutical products under the direction of a pharmacist.
• Operate capsule and tablet counting machine.
• Keep work areas, shelves, and equipment clean.
• Calculate anticipated drug usage for a specific amount of time.
• Deliver medication to treatment areas.

Common work activities

Pharmacy aides perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Use computers
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Get information needed to do the job
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Assist and care for others
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Perform for or work with the public
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Teach others
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Develop and build teams
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Convince others to buy goods or change their minds or actions
• Document and record information
• Evaluate information against standards
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Handle and move objects
• Think creatively
• Process information
• Schedule work and activities
• Develop goals and strategies

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, pharmacy aides:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social interaction. They constantly interact with customers and patients.
• Often deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals. Customers may become upset if their order is not ready on time.
• Are responsible for customers and patients health and safety.
• Communicate with customers and patients daily by telephone or in person.
• Work in a group or as part of a team.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work done by other aides.
• Write e-mails, letters, and memos on a weekly basis.

Physical work conditions

• Almost always work indoors.
• Are often exposed to diseases and infections.
• Work near other people, but usually have a few feet of space separating them from others.

Work performance

• Must be very exact in their work. Errors could cause serious health problems for patients.
• Must repeat the same physical activities, such as restocking shelves.
• Make decisions on a weekly basis that affect customers and patients. They can make some decisions without talking to a supervisor.
• Are able to set some tasks for the day without talking to a supervisor.
• Must meet strict deadlines on a weekly basis.

Hours/travel

• Generally have a set schedule each week.
• Usually work less than 40 hours a week.

Physical demands

Pharmacy aides frequently:

• Stand for long periods of time.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Repeat the same movements.

It is important for pharmacy aides to be able to:

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for pharmacy aides to be able to:

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.

Skills and abilities

Pharmacy aides need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Understand written information.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.

Work with people

• Look for ways to help people.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Pharmacy Technology

Training

To work as a pharmacy aide, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete short-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education is required beyond high school.

Work experience

Experience helping and working with people is good preparation for this occupation.

On-the-job training

Most pharmacy aides learn their skills on the job from experienced workers. You may spend up to one month in training. During training, you learn how to:

• maintain patient records;
• stock and take inventory; and
• operate the cash register.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate. You should consider taking Algebra and Geometry as your math courses and Chemistry and Physics as your science courses.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Computer Applications
• Health Education
• Introduction to Health Care
• Office Procedures

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers prefer applicants who have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. In addition, employers look for applicants who have good interpersonal and computer skills.

Licensing/certification

Pharmacy aides must be registered with the State through the pharmacy in which they work and work under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. They are called pharmacy assistants under the state law that regulates them. There are no educational or age requirements. They must meet on-the-job training requirements established by their employer, answer personal data questions, and have completed four hours of HIV/AIDS training. They are also required to provide the board with a current address and notify them if the address changes. Pharmacy aides who have contact with patients or the general public must wear badges that identify them as aides. Pharmacy aides must renew their registration every two years, but the cost for doing so is covered by the pharmacy for which they work.

For more information, contact:

Washington State Department of Health
Board of Pharmacy 
PO Box 47877
Olympia, WA 98504
360.236.4700

#updated url 3/20/14 lh. Info above ok 3/17/15, 12/14/16, 4/5/19 cj.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Pharmacy Aides 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

The minimum wage for Washington State as of January 1, 2020 is $13.50 per hour. Some areas of the state may have a higher minimum wage.

Wages vary by shift and employer. Aides may receive higher wages for working evenings or weekends.

Full-time pharmacy aides usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include paid vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. Those who work part time may not receive benefits.

Employment and outlook

#Updated via email from Doreen Beebe (Doreen.Beebe@DOH.WA.GOV) 5/16/13 cj. sent 3/20/14 lh. Rec'd licensing data from Doreen 3/17/15 cj. Doreen on medical leave so sent request for new data to Angelica Pauley, Pharmacy Consultant (Angelica.Pauley@doh.wa.gov) 3/7/17. No response from Angelica so sent again 4/5/17 to wspqac@doh.wa.gov. Initial response from Leeann George was needed to submit Public Disclosure form, etc. Then Doreen B. contacted me provided the new data 4/12/17 cj.

Washington outlook

#Between 2014 and 2024, it is estimated that there will be 18 openings annually due to new positions and 28 openings annually from workers leaving this career.

#Updated outlook 06.16 sd

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Pharmacies and drug stores
• Grocery store pharmacies
• Hospitals

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will decline. As the population ages, more people will need medications. The demand for pharmacy aides will not grow as fast as for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians due to laws that limit their duties.

Many jobs will be available as current pharmacy aides move to other occupations. However, this is a small occupation which limits job openings.

Other resources

American Association of Pharmacy Technicians 
PO Box 391043
Omaha, NE 68139
336.333.9356
336.333.9356

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board 
2215 Constitution Avenue NW, Suite 101
Washington, DC 20037

References

Career cluster

• Health Science

Career path

• Conventional (Business Operations)

O*Net  occupation

• Pharmacy Aides (31-9095.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.

DOT occupation

• Pharmacist Assistant (074.381-010) 

Holland occupational clusters

• Conventional/Realistic/Enterprising
• Conventional/Realistic/Social

COPSystem

• Service Professional