Pharmacy Technician Assistant
There is a distinct difference between the jobs of pharmacy assistant and pharmacy technician. A pharmacy assistant would generally work within a retail pharmacy or chemist outlet while a pharmacy technician could work in retail outlets, pharmaceutical companies or hospitals.
- Role of Pharmacy Assistant
Deciding on pharmacy as a choice of career could involve an entry level position as a pharmacy assistant which would entail assisting in a retail pharmacy. The type of work carried out would be assisting in the dispensing of prescribed medications to customers, selling over the counter drugs and general goods, shelf filling and stock control. The pharmacy assistant would need to operate the cash register and be able to take credit card payments, so an element of trustworthiness is involved.
The qualities needed for good pharmacy assistants would be excellent interpersonal skills and diplomacy with a friendly nature. The pharmacy assistant should be able to cope with a high volume of customers and able to serve them quickly and efficiently. Pharmacy assistants would be expected to understand the system that has been set up by the pharmacist for the dispensation of prescribed drugs - this would generally be alphanumeric. The pharmacy assistant role would also involve ensuring stock control levels on the store shelves are maintained, which could involve order stock and dealing with suppliers.
- Role of Pharmacy Technician
The job of the pharmacy technician is a graduate role with an expectation that the employees would hold a HND or BSc in Pharmacy or Pharmacology. Pharmacy technicians are required in retail pharmacies or hospital pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies. There would also be a number of vacancies within areas such as research and development, food analysis and universities.
In general a pharmacy technician would be expected to be able to follow good laboratory practices in relevants fields, produce daily data and results statistics to ensure tests are within specified ranges. The role of the pharmacy technician can become more responsible and varied depending upon employers.
It is possible for a pharmacy assistant to be promoted into the role of pharmacy technician however a course of study would be essential, as the pharmacy technician job is a more technical and responsible role. Some employers are happy to support further training to develop their younger and more inexperienced members of staff so entering the pharmacy environment as a pharmacy assistant can be a good career choice which can lead to personal development.
