A pharmacy assistant is an important part of any well-functioning pharmacy. Because pharmacists and technicians deal directly with prescriptions and customers, you’ll be doing a lot of groundwork to make sure they can do their jobs properly. Furthermore, a pharmacy assistant position usually does not necessitate any additional education or training. This job entails a variety of administrative and customer service responsibilities that are critical to a pharmacy’s success.
One of the most appealing aspects of working as a pharmacy assistant is that it allows you to get involved with pharmacies from the ground up. To start working, most only require a high school diploma. Math, chemistry, and foreign language classes are all beneficial in this regard and should be prioritized during the school year. Another advantage of this job is that it can serve as a stepping stone to a career as a registered pharmacy assistant or pharmacy technician, or even as a way to gain experience in the industry before enrolling in pharmacy school.
A pharmacy assistant performs a variety of tasks that assist pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in their work. If you want to work as a pharmacy assistant, you should be aware that receiving pharmaceutical shipments, properly sorting them, and placing them in the appropriate storage space will be one of your main responsibilities. Another important job is records management, which requires you to update customer files and retrieve them frequently for the pharmacist to consult. You will also be responsible for answering phone calls from patients who are renewing prescriptions. You will be required to work the cash register and accept money and credit card payments from customers in addition to these administrative tasks.
To be a successful pharmacy assistant, you must have a strong skill set in order to perform these important duties. Because you will be expected to stock pharmaceuticals accurately and keep records with little or no supervision, organization and self-motivation are essential. Because you will be working with coworkers and customers, communication is another important skill to have in this job. Because pharmacies get very busy, and your time will be pushed to the limit on a regular basis, stress management is also essential.
Work as a pharmacy assistant can be found in a variety of settings. You could work in either a hospital or a retail pharmacy. Because you will be receiving orders from all over the hospital, a hospital can provide a faster-paced work environment but little contact with patients. There will be more customer interaction and a slower pace in a pharmacy like that of a drugstore.