Occupation

Pharmacy Aides

Human Advantage 66%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
3.4 / 10

Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.

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.

Also Known As: Certified Pharmacist Assistant, Dispensary Attendant, Drug Clerk, Drug Purchaser, Front Counter Clerk, Pharmaceutical Assistant, Pharmacist Aide, Pharmacist Assistant +10 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Greet customers and help them locate merchandise.
  2. Accept prescriptions for filling, gathering and processing necessary information.
  3. Operate cash register to process cash or credit sales.
  4. Answer telephone inquiries, referring callers to pharmacist when necessary.
  5. Receive, store, and inventory pharmaceutical supplies or medications, check for out-of-date medications, and notify pharmacist when inventory levels are low.
  6. Unpack, sort, count, and label incoming merchandise, including items requiring special handling or refrigeration.
  7. Restock storage areas, replenishing items on shelves.
  8. Maintain and clean equipment, work areas, or shelves.

Supplemental Tasks (6)

  1. Prepare prescription labels by typing or operating a computer and printer.
  2. Compound, package, and label pharmaceutical products, under direction of pharmacist.
  3. Process medical insurance claims, posting bill amounts and calculating copayments.
  4. Perform clerical tasks, such as filing, compiling and maintaining prescription records, or composing letters.
  5. Prepare, maintain, and record records of inventories, receipts, purchases, or deliveries, using a variety of computer screen formats.
  6. Deliver medication to treatment areas, living units, residences, or clinics, using various means of transportation.

Education & Training

Job Zone 2 Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
61%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
18%
Less than a High School Diploma
15%
Some College Courses
6%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Word

Software (9)

  • Database software
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Word processing software

Tools & Equipment (15)

  • Automatic unit dose strip packaging machines
  • Capsule counting machines
  • Cash registers
  • Credit card processing machines
  • Desktop computers
  • HEPA filtered biosafety cabinets
  • Label printing machines
  • Laboratory blending or mixing equipment
  • Laminar flow hoods
  • Laser printers
  • Liquid dose packaging machines
  • Multi-line telephone systems
  • Personal computers
  • Solid unit dose packaging machines
  • Tablet counting machines

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Physical Health Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 2
Pharmacy Aides You are here
Zone 3
Pharmacy Technicians 94% match
Zone 4
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists 80% match
Zone 5
Audiologists 81% match

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Real Talk

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