Learn About Pharmacy Aide, Pharmacist Aide Schools, Training, Jobs, and Careers

What is a Pharmacy Aide?
The traffic in pharmacies, especially during the busy times, led to the need for pharmacy aides. The pharmacist, technician, or assistant cannot keep up with this traffic. This aide will simply provide the additional support they need.

The support will be administrative or clerical. Some of the things the pharmacist aide would be involved in are:

1. Accepting prescription for filling from customers
2. Checking out customers when their order is ready
3. Maintaining patients medical files and records
4. Preparing and submitting patients’ pharmacy reports
5. Doing secretarial work, like answering the phone and typing
6. Ordering supplies needed by the pharmacy when asked to do so by the pharmacist
7. Sending out bills to insurance companies and patients
8. Keeping and maintaining inventory of over the counter (OTC) medications
9. Cleaning pharmacy equipments, machines, and devices
10. Etc.

An aide must be able to stand on his or her feet for long periods of time. They must also be willing to work nights and weekends. This is because some pharmacies are open 7 days a week and at night.

How to Become a Pharmacy Aide:
There is no set training or schooling for pharmacist aides. The requirement will vary from one pharmacy to another. The most common we have seen is high school diploma or equivalent. You will then get on the job training from the pharmacist, technician, assistant, or other experienced aides.

This is one of the best ways to become a pharmacist assistant or technician. If you are interested, we encourage you to take courses while doing this job. This way you can at least get a certificate or associate degree in the profession. Some of the courses you can take should you be interested are:

a. The Top and Most Common Prescriptions
b. Introduction to Pharmacology
c. Medical Terminology
d. Pharmaceutical Information Systems
e. The Health Care System
f. Fundamentals of Pharmacy
g. Mathematics for Pharmacy Technicians
h. Etc.

You do not need certification to become a pharmacist aide. Just be aware that some of your medication handling should be cleared with the pharmacist.

Pharmacy Aide Salary:
The pay isn’t bad for a job that only requires high school diploma or GED. The average pay per year is $25,000. We have also seen some that make as much as $37,000 per year. This depends on your level of education, location, and level of responsibility.

Pharmacy Aide School:
If you are looking to meet the educational requirements needed to become a pharmacy assistant or technician, we have the school for you. Rasmussen College offers a program that qualifies one to become one. You have nothing to lose if you check them out. You can do so by requesting for their free no obligation information through this link.

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