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Pharmacist Aides Job Overview

Pharmacist aides look after administrative duties in pharmacies. They answer queries about prescriptions and provide correct information regarding drugs and health matters. They are responsible for storing shelves, answering calls and performing other clerical responsibilities.

Pharmacist Aides Schools and Degrees

A high school diploma is the basic education requirement to become a pharmacist aide. A person aspiring to become a pharmacist aide can even acquire certificate, diploma and associates degrees from different schools and institutes that offer education in the subject.

Job Requirements

Training is an essential requirement to become a pharmacist aide. Most pharmacist aides receive unofficial training on the job. Pharmacist aides usually start by observing an experienced pharmacist aide at work. Once they become familiar with the guidelines, procedure and equipment of the store, they start taking responsibilities. Further training is given only when a new policy or equipment is introduced.

Experience and certification relevant to the area of work are beneficial, as they can help a pharmacist aide become a pharmacy technician.

A pharmacist aide needs to have good skills of communication and customer management for. One also needs to be strong in mathematics. It is important to be organized and responsible and they should also be able to take down directions. It is important for them to have no previous history of substance abuse.

Nature of Work

Pharmacist aides look after and maintain patient profiles. They also prepare insurance claims forms. They take inventory of the medicines that are sold over the counter and inform the supervisor about stocks that are needed. It is important for pharmacist aides to maintain accurate records in order to avoid confusion. Many patients have medical insurance to pay for their treatment and their medications. Pharmacist aides need to coordinate and work well with these third parties in order to receive payment. Some pharmacist aides work in close coordination with pharmacy technicians.

Pharmacist aides work in clean, well lighted and arranged areas. They need to be on their feet most of the day. They may be required to lift heavy boxes and ladders to take down supplies from shelves. Pharmacist aides may need to work during the day, in the evenings or even at night, as pharmacies in many medical facilities like hospitals are open 24-7.

Pharmacist Aides Jobs and Outlook

According to a research done in 2006, pharmacist aides held about 50,000 jobs in the US. Employment is highest in the following industries :< /p>

• Department Stores
• General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
• Grocery Stores
• Health and Personal Care Stores
• Other General Merchandise Stores

The mean hourly wage for pharmacist aides in the US is about $10.15 while the mean annual wages are around $21,120.

Job Numbers and Growth

Nationally, there are 50,000 pharmacist aides. The occupation is characterized by a low joblessness level. The unemployment rate for employees was 4% in 2008.

Area Job Conditions

Looking at pharmacist aides per capita, Madera (California), Bay City (Michigan), and Morristown (Tennessee) rise to the top of the list. Milwaukee (Wisconsin), Phoenix (Arizona), and Fort Worth (Texas) have the fewest per capita.

The highest salaries for workers are in and around Denver (Colorado), San Jose (California), and Danbury (Connecticut). The lowest-paying areas are Anniston (Alabama), Tuscaloosa (Alabama), and Birmingham (Alabama).

Training and Education

Successful employees find it useful to have short-term on-the-job training. According to recent surveys, 10% of pharmacist aides had received a degree. Workers with some schooling beyond high school, but not a college degree, total about 59%. A high school degree was all that was needed for 31% of employees. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.

Part-Time Work and Self-Employment

Pharmacist aides working less than full time, whether by design or chance, were 23% of the total. If you have this occupation and work on your own rather than for another company, you are part of the 4% of workers who do so.

Pharmacist Aides by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)

In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.

Alabama

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Illinois

Indiana

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin