Important Facts About Pharmacy Aides
| Median Pay (2021) | $29,930 |
| Job Outlook (2021-2031) | 3% decline |
| Professional Certification | Pharmacy assistants who go on to become technicians may be required to earn certification by some states and/or employers. |
| Similar Occupations | Dental assistants, medical assistants, health information technicians, medical transcriptionists (for pharmacy technicians) |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Work Environment
Pharmacy assistants that work in hospitals are in charge of delivering medication to patients and helping stock shelves in the hospital pharmacy department. Pharmacy assistants take on these responsibilities so the pharmacist can concentrate on providing more customer service and be available to answer patients' questions about their medication. In order to perform the job duties of a pharmacy assistant, individuals must be:
- Organized
- Customer oriented
- Responsible
- Alert
- Accurate
Education and Training
Because they generally have fewer responsibilities than pharmacy technicians, pharmacy assistants may only receive on-the-job training. They could also gain knowledge and experience by working at a local pharmacy or volunteering at a hospital. For those who want to become pharmacy technicians, employers prefer to hire persons with some formal education.
Individuals should enroll in a vocational training program or community college where they can obtain a certificate of completion or diploma. Aspiring pharmacy technicians can learn about medical and pharmaceutical terminology, pharmacy law and ethics, pharmaceutical calculations, pharmaceutical techniques, and pharmacy record-keeping. Students learn through classroom lectures, laboratory work, and clinical practice at hospitals and clinics. Accredited programs typically contain about 600 hours of training.
