Occupation · SOC 31-9095
Pharmacy Aides
Record drugs delivered to the pharmacy, store incoming merchandise, and inform the supervisor of stock needs. May operate cash register and accept prescriptions for filling.
Median wage
$37,000
$29,360–$58,660
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
-10
per year
Employed (US)
41,100
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
2 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningSpeakingService OrientationReading ComprehensionSocial PerceptivenessCritical ThinkingCoordinationJudgment and Decision Making
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageAdministrativeSales and Marketing
Technology & tools
Data base user interface and query softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwarePresentation software
Representative tasks
Greet customers and help them locate merchandise.Accept prescriptions for filling, gathering and processing necessary information.Operate cash register to process cash or credit sales.Answer telephone inquiries, referring callers to pharmacist when necessary.Receive, store, and inventory pharmaceutical supplies or medications, check for out-of-date medications, and notify pharmacist when inventory levels are low.Unpack, sort, count, and label incoming merchandise, including items requiring special handling or refrigeration.Restock storage areas, replenishing items on shelves.Maintain and clean equipment, work areas, or shelves.Prepare prescription labels by typing or operating a computer and printer.Compound, package, and label pharmaceutical products, under direction of pharmacist.Process medical insurance claims, posting bill amounts and calculating copayments.Perform clerical tasks, such as filing, compiling and maintaining prescription records, or composing letters.Prepare, maintain, and record records of inventories, receipts, purchases, or deliveries, using a variety of computer screen formats.Deliver medication to treatment areas, living units, residences, or clinics, using various means of transportation.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Customer greetings and merchandise location — provide under direct supervisor guidance in a retail pharmacy setting.Prescription intake forms — gather basic patient information following established protocols at the pharmacy counter.Cash register operations — process cash and credit transactions with supervisor oversight during standard pharmacy hours.Incoming telephone inquiries — answer using approved scripts and refer callers to the pharmacist when questions exceed scope.Pharmaceutical supply shipments — unpack, sort, and count incoming items following written instructions in the pharmacy stockroom.Medication labels and package markings — read and recognize basic information under pharmacist direction during receiving tasks.Shelf restocking procedures — replenish over-the-counter items following planogram guides with direct supervision.Work area and equipment surfaces — clean and maintain according to posted sanitation schedules in the pharmacy workspace.Inventory location records — enter basic stock data into pharmacy database software with step-by-step guidance.Refrigerated and special-handling items — identify and separate during merchandise sorting under direct pharmacist or supervisor direction.
developing
Customer service interactions — assist and direct customers independently across the retail pharmacy floor with routine product questions.Prescription intake processing — gather, verify, and enter patient and insurance information into the pharmacy system with minimal oversight.Cash and credit sales transactions — operate the register accurately and resolve common discrepancies during busy pharmacy shifts.Telephone call management — screen, respond to general inquiries, and route clinical questions to the pharmacist efficiently.Pharmaceutical inventory levels — monitor stock, flag low quantities, and notify the pharmacist using inventory tracking software.Incoming merchandise workflow — unpack, sort, label, and route items requiring refrigeration or special handling to correct storage areas.Shelf and storage area replenishment — restock and rotate products following FIFO principles in the pharmacy retail section.Out-of-date medication checks — conduct routine expiration reviews and segregate expired stock for pharmacist disposition.Pharmacy equipment and work areas — clean and maintain consistently according to departmental hygiene and safety standards.Spreadsheet and office suite software — record inventory counts and generate basic stock reports in support of pharmacy operations.
proficient
Customer needs assessment — interpret and respond to complex or sensitive customer requests independently across all areas of the retail pharmacy.Prescription intake accuracy — review gathered information for completeness and flag discrepancies to the pharmacist before processing proceeds.Multi-tender transaction processing — manage high-volume cash, credit, and insurance copay transactions accurately during peak pharmacy periods.Telephone triage and escalation — evaluate caller needs, resolve non-clinical questions, and escalate appropriately using sound professional judgment.Full inventory cycle management — receive, store, count, reconcile, and report pharmaceutical supplies using database and spreadsheet software.Special-handling merchandise compliance — ensure refrigerated, controlled, and hazardous items are processed and stored according to regulatory requirements.Inventory shortage and overstock situations — identify root causes and coordinate corrective restocking actions with pharmacy management.Cross-functional coordination — align stocking, cleaning, and customer service tasks to support uninterrupted pharmacy workflow without direct supervision.Expiration and quality control monitoring — implement a systematic schedule for reviewing all product categories and document findings for pharmacist review.Pharmacy aide onboarding support — demonstrate correct procedures and software tools to newly hired staff during day-to-day operations.
advanced
Pharmacy aide team performance — guide, coach, and evaluate team members to uphold accuracy, compliance, and customer service standards across all shifts.Operational workflow design — develop and refine front-end and stockroom procedures that improve efficiency and reduce error rates in the pharmacy environment.Inventory control strategy — establish reorder thresholds, oversee cycle counts, and leverage database software to minimize stockouts and waste.Customer service quality standards — set service expectations, model best practices, and address escalated customer concerns at the supervisory level.Regulatory and safety compliance leadership — ensure all receiving, storage, and handling procedures meet state, federal, and accreditation requirements continuously.Technology adoption and training — evaluate new pharmacy software tools and lead staff training to ensure consistent, accurate system use.Cross-departmental communication — coordinate with pharmacists, purchasing, and management to align aide activities with broader pharmacy operational goals.Performance metrics and reporting — track key indicators such as inventory accuracy and transaction throughput, reporting findings to pharmacy leadership.Policy and procedure development — draft and update standard operating procedures for front-end pharmacy aide functions based on observed gaps and best practices.Organizational culture and integrity — model and reinforce dependability, attention to detail, and ethical conduct as cornerstones of the pharmacy aide role.
Also known as
77 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice, Flight and Operational Medical Technician (Air Force 4N031F)Dental Assistant (Air Force 4Y0X1)Certified Pharmacist AssistantPharmacy Craftsman (Air Force 4P071)Pharmacy Apprentice (Air Force 4P031)Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman, Aeromedical Education Technician (Air Force 4N051G)Aerospace Medical Service Craftsman, Neurodiagnostic Medical Technician (Air Force 4N071B)Dispensary AttendantAerospace Medical Service Apprentice, Independent Duty Medical Technician (Air Force 4N031C)Pharmacy (Air Force 4P0X1)Aerospace Medical Service Helper, Neurodiagnostic Medical Technician (Air Force 4N011B)Aerospace Medical Service Helper, National Registry Paramedic (Air Force 4N011H)Prescription ClerkAerospace Medical Service Helper, Flight and Operational Medical Technician (Air Force 4N011F)Dental Assistant Helper (Air Force 4Y011)Pharmacy Helper (Air Force 4P011)Health Services Management Superintendent (Air Force 4A091)Pharmacy Administrator (Pharmacy Admin)Pharmacy HelperHealth Services Management Craftsman, Health Information Technology (Air Force 4A071S)Aerospace Medical Service Craftsman, Flight and Operational Medical Technician (Air Force 4N071F)Aerospace Medical Service Helper (Air Force 4N011)Dental Assistant Journeyman (Air Force 4Y051)Aerospace Medical Service Craftsman, National Registry Paramedic (Air Force 4N071H)Health Services Management Helper (Air Force 4A011)Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman, Neurodiagnostic Medical Technician (Air Force 4N051B)Aerospace Medical Service Helper, Independent Duty Medical Technician (Air Force 4N011C)Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice, Aeromedical Education Technician (Air Force 4N031G)Aerospace Medical Service Craftsman, Aeromedical Education Technician (Air Force 4N071G)Pharmacy CashierHealth Services Management Journeyman (Air Force 4A051)Pharmacy ClerkDrug PurchaserMedical Administration Specialty (Coast Guard MED)Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman, Independent Duty Medical Technician (Air Force 4N051C)Dental Assistant Journeyman, Dental Hygienist (Air Force 4Y051H)Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice, Allergy/Immunization Technician (Air Force 4N031D)Pharmacist HelperHospital Corpsman (Navy HM)Health Services Management (Air Force 4A0X1)