Pharmacy assistant job description template

Table 1: Position Identification

1. Position Summary

The Pharmacy Assistant supports the pharmacists and pharmacy technicians at [ORGANIZATION_NAME], a community pharmacy. The assistant serves customers at the pharmacy counter, enters patient and insurance information, helps prepare prescriptions under supervision, bills drug plans, and keeps the dispensary stocked and organized. Every prescription the assistant helps with is checked by a pharmacist or pharmacy technician before it goes to the patient. The job is done well when patient records and claims are accurate, the dispensary runs on time, stock is right, and medication questions always go to the pharmacist.

2. Key Responsibilities

2.1 Pharmacy counter and phones (25% of time)

• Greet patients, take in new and refill prescriptions, and give a realistic wait time.
• Confirm the patient's identity and details before handing over a prescription that the pharmacist has checked, and make sure the pharmacist counsels the patient when required.
• Take payment and explain co-pays and deductibles in general terms.
• Answer the phone, take refill requests and pass every medication question or clinical concern to the pharmacist. Do not give advice about medications yourself.
• Help customers find over-the-counter products, and call the pharmacist when they ask what to take.

2.2 Patient profiles and billing (20% of time)

• Create and update patient profiles in [PHARMACY_SOFTWARE]: name, date of birth, address, health card and drug plan information.
• Record allergies and conditions the patient reports, and make sure the pharmacist sees them.
• Submit claims to private and public drug plans, fix rejected claims where the cause is clerical (for example a wrong plan number), and flag clinical rejections to the pharmacist.
• Request refill authorizations from prescribers when the pharmacist asks.

2.3 Helping prepare prescriptions (20% of time)

• Enter prescription information for the pharmacist or technician to review, if [PROVINCE] and the pharmacy allow assistants to do this.
• Pick stock, count tablets and capsules, measure liquids and print and apply labels as directed, for checking by a pharmacist or technician.
• Never release a prescription that has not been checked.
• Follow the pharmacy's steps for look-alike, sound-alike drugs and for hazardous medications.

2.4 Compliance packaging (10% of time)

• Help prepare blister packs or pouch packs for patients as directed, and keep the schedule of pack due dates.
• Organize completed packs for checking, delivery or pickup.

2.5 Inventory and ordering (15% of time)

• Receive drug orders, check them against the invoice and put them away in the right place, including fridge items right away.
• Check fridge temperatures and record them on the log.
• Pull expired and recalled products and set them aside for return or safe disposal as the pharmacist directs.
• Help with counts and records for controlled drugs only as the pharmacist directs.
• Tell [REPORTS_TO_TITLE] about shortages and back orders.

2.6 Cleaning and organization (10% of time)

• Clean counting trays, spatulas and counters between uses, especially after handling products such as antibiotics or hazardous drugs.
• Keep shelves, bins and the work area tidy and labelled.
• Shred or securely dispose of paper with patient information.

3. Qualifications & Experience

Table 2: Qualifications Matrix

4. Competencies

Table 3: Core Competencies and Behavioural Indicators

5. Working Conditions & Performance Measures

5.1 Working Conditions and Physical Demands

The physical and environmental demands described below are those needed to do the main parts of this job. [ORGANIZATION_NAME] will accommodate employees with disabilities under human rights law, up to the point of undue hardship.

Table 4: Physical Demands and Working Environment

5.2 Performance Measures

Table 5: Performance Evaluation Matrix

5.3 Career Path

• Typical Prior Roles: Cashier, Retail Sales Associate, Front Store Clerk, Pharmacy Assistant Student.
• Typical Next Roles: Senior Pharmacy Assistant, Pharmacy Technician (after further education), Front Store Supervisor, Pharmacy Office Coordinator.

5.4 Acknowledgement and Sign-Off

This job description lists the main duties and qualifications for the Pharmacy Assistant position at [ORGANIZATION_NAME]. It is not a full list of every task. Duties and schedules may change with reasonable notice to meet the needs of the business.

By signing below, the employee confirms they have received and read this job description.

Employee Name (Printed)

Employee Signature

Date (DD-MMM-YYYY)

Manager / Supervisor Name (Printed)

Manager / Supervisor Signature

Date (DD-MMM-YYYY)

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