Job description Pharmacy Assistant in the North Region

Find out what work is like for a pharmacy assistant in Canada. This work description is applicable to all Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health) (NOC 33103).

Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants

Description

Pharmacy technical assistants perform technical tasks related to preparing medications under a pharmacist’s supervision. They also assist in filling prescriptions and managing patient files. Pharmacy assistants perform clerical functions and assists pharmacists and pharmacy technicians with drug dispensing tasks. Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants are employed in retail and hospital pharmacies, long-term care facilities and by pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Work week duration

Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants usually work between 35 to 40 hours per week.
Between 35 to 40 hours

Job duties

Here are some of the main activities and tasks that Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants have to perform, and some of the physical demands they involve:

  • Assess prescriptions for completeness
  • Enter clients’ information and prescription details in databases
  • Help pharmacists and other pharmacy staff with preparing, packaging and labelling of pharmaceutical products
  • Assist in maintaining inventories of medications and pharmaceutical products
  • Compound oral solutions, ointments and creams
  • May process medical billing information
  • May price and stock items on shelves.

Physical demands Help - Physical Demands

  • Standing
  • Making repetitive motions
  • Handling material manually

Physical demands

Physical demands are the physical activities that the job requires the worker to do. Physical demands are selected according to the likeliness that workers will have to perform them for at least half of the time they spend at work.

Workplaces and employers

Here are the typical workplaces where Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants are employed and some of their main characteristics:

  • Pharmacies
  • Medical clinics
  • Hospitals

Work environment Help - Physical Work Environment

  • Indoors, environmentally controlled
  • Biological agents

Physical proximity from others Help - Physical proximity from others

  • Close (at arm’s length)

Work environment

The work environment refers to the physical setting in which people work. The characteristics and conditions of the work environment are selected according to the likeliness that workers will be exposed to them at least once a week.

Physical proximity from others

Physical proximity from others refers to the physical distance between individuals in the workplace. The likeliness that the job requires to perform tasks while being physically close to other people is rated on a scale with 3 levels: "Somewhat close", "Close" and "Very close".

Related job titles

Here are some other related job titles that are found in the same occupational category (NOC 33103), and a list of similar occupations:

  • pharmacy aide
  • pharmacy assistant
  • pharmacy technical assistant

Similar occupations Help - Similar occupations

Similar occupations

This section lists other occupations that are part of the same broad occupational category as Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These occupations involve similar core qualifications but involve different responsibilities. To see more similar occupations, use the Job Transition Tool.

Sources Occupational and Skills Information System & National Occupational Classification

Labour Market Information Survey
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