Pharmacy Aides

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Healthcare Support
• O*NET-SOC code: 31-9095
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Greet customers and help them locate merchandise.
• Accept prescriptions for filling, gathering and processing necessary information.
• Operate cash register to process cash or credit sales.
• Answer telephone inquiries, referring callers to pharmacist when necessary.
• Receive, store, and inventory pharmaceutical supplies or medications, check for out-of-date medications, and notify pharmacist when inventory levels are low.
• Unpack, sort, count, and label incoming merchandise, including items requiring special handling or refrigeration.
• Restock storage areas, replenishing items on shelves.
• Maintain and clean equipment, work areas, or shelves.
• Prepare prescription labels by typing or operating a computer and printer.
• Compound, package, and label pharmaceutical products, under direction of pharmacist.
• Process medical insurance claims, posting bill amounts and calculating copayments.
• Perform clerical tasks, such as filing, compiling and maintaining prescription records, or composing letters.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word, Automatic unit dose strip packaging machines, Capsule counting machines, Cash registers, Credit card processing machines, Database software, Desktop computers

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Medical Equipment Preparers
• Pharmacy Technicians
• Cashiers
• Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
• Medical Assistants
• Stockers and Order Fillers
• Receptionists and Information Clerks
• Opticians, Dispensing

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Pharmacy Aides — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.