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Pharmacy Aides

In the Pharmacy Aides occupation, workers record drugs delivered to the pharmacy, store incoming merchandise, and inform the supervisor of stock needs. O*NET rates it as some preparation, which usually means a few months to a year of learning on the job. It leans on active listening, speaking, and service orientation. One core duty is to process medical insurance claims, posting bill amounts and calculating copayments. On the six-type interest model it reads CER, meaning orderly work with data, records and clear procedures comes first, followed by leading, persuading and making business decisions. It tends to suit people who want orderly work with data, records and clear procedures, and it offers little for anyone seeking creative work with room for original expression.

What they do

Record drugs delivered to the pharmacy, store incoming merchandise, and inform the supervisor of stock needs. May operate cash register and accept prescriptions for filling.

Main tasks

  • Process medical insurance claims, posting bill amounts and calculating copayments.
  • Answer telephone inquiries, referring callers to pharmacist when necessary.
  • Prepare prescription labels by typing or operating a computer and printer.
  • Operate cash register to process cash or credit sales.
  • Prepare, maintain, and record records of inventories, receipts, purchases, or deliveries, using a variety of computer screen formats.
  • Receive, store, and inventory pharmaceutical supplies or medications, check for out-of-date medications, and notify pharmacist when inventory levels are low.

Skills

  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Service Orientation
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Judgment and Decision Making

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You like taking the lead and making the call.
  • You want to start work after a short stretch of training.
  • You are comfortable relying on active listening and speaking.

May not suit you if

  • You get restless with routine, records and exact procedures.
  • You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.0 out of 7 here.
  • You want a career built on years of advanced study.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code CER takes the three highest, and Conventional comes first here.

Preparation

Some preparation. Most people start with a high school diploma, then learn from experienced coworkers over a few months to a year.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Post-Secondary Certificate. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Certified Pharmacist Assistant
  • Front Counter Clerk
  • Pharmacist Assistant
  • Pharmacy Ancillary
  • Pharmacy Assistant

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.