Pharmacy assistants help pharmacists with the day-to-day needs of running a pharmacy.
NOC Code:
3414
Job Duties
Pharmacy assistants help pharmacists with the day-to-day needs of running a pharmacy. You may work for retail, hospital or clinic pharmacies.
Generally, pharmacy assistants:
- Give general assistance with daily pharmacy activities.
- Take prescriptions from clients in person and over the phone.
- Measure and mix drugs according to prescriptions.
- Package, label and dispense medications.
- Check inventory and restock drugs and other items.
- Check for expired medications and discard it properly.
- Help customers find what they need or send them to the pharmacist for more help.
- Use a cash register.
- Write letters and memos, prepare receipts and invoices, and file orders.
Source: HRSDC
Job Requirements
Education
This job requires:
High School
Experience
This job requires
0 - 2
years of work experience.
Source: HRSDC
Essential Skills
As a pharmacy assistant, you need to:
- Speak, write and read English.
- Understand pharmaceutical terminology.
- Have strong planning and organizational skills.
- Be very accurate in your work as it’s often a matter of client safety.
- Use word processing, spreadsheet, database, and email software.
- Work well with other people and on your own.
Source: Ontario Skills Passport
Language Skills
You need to communicate in person and on the phone with customers and co-workers.
Labour Market Information
Trends
The most important trend you should know about is the recent regulation of pharmacy technicians. Before the duties of pharmacy assistants and technicians were similar, now your role as a pharmacy assistant may be more clerical (filing, customer service, etc.) and less technical.
You may find it harder to get work as a pharmacy assistant if most employers want to hire accredited pharmacy technicians.
Prospects
The work prospects for this job are:
GOOD
Wages
The average hourly wage for this job is: C$16.31/hour.
Source: HRSDC
Retraining
Educational Programs
These links will give you a list of related educational programs or where you can search for them. There may be other schools that have similar programs, such as private career colleges. You may be able to get advanced standing.
Bridging Programs
Here is a list of some bridging programs. These programs can help you assess your education and skills, get practical training or improve your language skills so that you can work in your field.
Language Training
Here is a list of some language training programs, such as Enhanced Language Training (ELT) and Occupation Specific Language Training (OSLT).
Work Experience Programs
Some college programs in this field include co-operative (co-op) work experience.
Voluntary Membership Opportunities
Helpful Links
The data in this profile is provided for informational purposes only. Some of the
information may have changed since this profile was written. Please check the source
for the most up-to-date information.