Overview for Pharmacy Aides

Pharmacy aides perform administrative duties in pharmacies. Aides often are clerks or cashiers whose chief responsibilities are to answer telephones, handle money, stock shelves, and perform other clerical duties. They work closely with pharmacy technicians. Pharmacy technicians usually perform more complex tasks than do aides, although in some States the duties and titles of the jobs overlap.

Pharmacy aides may create and maintain patient profiles, prepare insurance claim forms, and stock and take inventory of prescription and over-the-counter medications. Accurate recordkeeping is necessary to help avert dangerous drug interactions. It is essential that pharmacy aides be able to communicate efficiently and correctly with third-party insurance providers to obtain payment. Pharmacy aides maintain inventory and inform the supervisor of stock needs so that the pharmacy does not run out of necessary and vital medications. Some aides also help with the maintenance of equipment and supplies.

Employment Situation

Employment of pharmacy aides is expected to decrease rapidly, dropping by 11 percent over the 2006 to 2016 period. Demand for pharmacy aides will fall as more responsibility is given to pharmacy technicians for answering phones, stocking shelves, operating cash registers, and performing other administrative tasks. In addition, with increased training, many pharmacy aides will become pharmacy technicians, which will result in further declines in pharmacy aide jobs.

In spire of decreasing employment, job opportunities for full-time and part-time work are expected to be good. The frequent need to replace workers who leave the occupation will create opportunities for interested applicants. Aides with related work experience in pharmacies, or as cashiers or stock clerks in other retail settings, will have the best opportunities.

Education Outlook

Most pharmacy aides are trained on the job. Employers favor those with at least a high school diploma and previous experience and strong customer service skills. Many pharmacy aides go on to become pharmacy technicians. Prospective pharmacy aides with experience working as cashiers may have an advantage when applying for jobs. Employers also prefer applicants with experience managing inventories and using computers.

Training for pharmacy aides begins by observing a more experienced worker. As they become familiar with the store’s equipment, policies, and procedures, aides start to work on their own.

Salary Expectations for Pharmacy Aides

Median hourly earnings of pharmacy aides totaled $9.35 in May 2006. Hourly pay ranged between $7.89 and over $14.64. Median hourly earnings in general medical and surgical hospitals totaled $11.53, while grocery stores paid a median of $9.87 per hour, and pharmacies and drug stores paid $8.97 as the median hourly wage.

Related Information

• All advertised Pharmacy Aide jobs
• Find a Healthcare school near you

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