PHARMACY ASSISTANT /CASHIER-IMMEDIATE VACANCY IN BANGI

What Does a Pharmacy Assistant Do? The pharmacy assistant is an important member of the healthcare community whose job description focuses on assisting pharmacists in customer service and administrative roles. From performing inventory control to merchandising, purchasing medications and record keeping, the job duties are not streamlined. Pharmacy assistants are called upon to accept payment for prescriptions, answer the telephone, stock shelves, price stock, and mark items for sale and also prepare and reconcile third party insurance records and claims. As with pharmacy technicians and pharmacists, pharmacy assistants work in hospitals and community pharmacies, medical centers, clinics, health care facilities, educational institutions, pharmaceutical laboratories and the federal government. Keyboarding skills cum computer literacy are essential to the job, so also are a caring attitude toward others, excellent written and oral communication, the ability to handle emergencies and remain calm, good manual dexterity and ability to pay close attention to detail. Also important are detail orientation and organizational skills. In some cases, pharmacy assistants and pharmacy technicians have overlapping duties, but in general the tasks and responsibilities of technicians include weighing and mixing medications, counting tablets, while assistants on the other hand handle the clerical work. However, where a technician answers a patient’s direct question, an assistant would always direct drug-related questions or prescription to the pharmacist. Pharmacy aids or assistants help with the smooth running of the pharmacy by handling several of the administrative tasks. They work with technicians and pharmacists, though they have fewer responsibilities. You can become a pharmacy assistant with only a GED or a high school diploma, but you must have customer service and administrative skills as well. Pharmacy assistants welcome and greet customers and clients as they enter the pharmacy. They get information from customers, accept prescriptions and prepare the paperwork for the staff pharmacist to fill in the medication. They help customers locate medical supplies and over-the-counter medications. Managing the cash register and accepting payments from customers are some of the other duties of the pharmacy assistants’ job description. They will also redirect calls and answer the phone in the pharmacy as needed. Pharmacy assistants accept shipments of supplies and medication, they unpack and store inventory and make sure it is handled properly. For instance, some medication may need to be refrigerated or some other special handling. They maintain stock in front of the store so that customers can easily find the supplies they need. Pharmacy Assistant Job Description Example/Sample/Template The job description example shown below is for the pharmacy assistant, who is usually expected to perform the tasks, duties, and responsibilities provided in support of the pharmacist in most firms: Check for expired medications Notify the pharmacist when stock is low Take in and handle out prescriptions Dispense prescriptions Use store’s computer systems to generate label and stock lists Help in maintaining reasonable dispensary stock levels Order items for use within and outside department Receive, load and unload incoming goods from manufacturers, wholesalers and elsewhere Deliver pharmaceuticals goods to sites within a pharmacy department and clinical areas/wards/departments Sell over the counter medicines Answer queries on the availability and supply of medicines Respond to face to face and telephone enquiries of a routine nature from members of the public, patients, their representatives and a wide range of staff groups Pre-pack, assemble and label medicines Create and maintain patient profiles Prepare insurance claim forms Manage the cash register. Pharmacy Assistant Job Description for Resume Resumes are important documents for searching for job. The job description sample shown above can be used in preparing the professional history section of the pharmacy assistant resume. Pharmacy Assistant Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for Career Success Below are requirements, including knowledge, skills, and abilities, most employers expect from pharmacy assistants they want to hire: Related experience in a hospital, retail, or home health pharmacy High school diploma or its equivalent, GED Strong ability to meet production and quality standard as specified by supervisor, manager or pharmacist Strong ability to correctly read and interpret prescription terminology and medications Good communication skills Ability to carry out orders as instructed Ability to pay attention to detail and communicate effectively with customers on the telephone Strong keyboarding skills required for performing fast and correct data entry tasks Manual dexterity, PC, and basic math skills Strong knowledge of widely used generic drugs and their route of administration, as well as the ability to understand and interpret Latin signs and symbols usually found on drug label Pharmacy Assistant Career Opportunities There are different career opportunities accessible to a pharmacy assistant; these include: Pharmacy Administrator A pharmacy administrator is a person who is responsible for overseeing the overall operation of a pharmacy. Their duties include determining anti-counterfeit measures and inventory control, and ensuring that prescription records are kept accurate. A pharmacy administrator may also be responsible for hiring and training new staff, supervising shifts by staff members, and overseeing the finances of the pharmacy. 2. Senior Pharmacy Technician A senior pharmacy technician is an experienced pharmacy assistant who has been promoted by a pharmacist. A senior technician may be responsible for managing the pharmacy and making decisions that affect the work of other pharmacy staff. 3. Pharmacy Manager A pharmacy manager is responsible for overseeing the operations of a pharmacy. A manager will generally be involved in hiring new staff and training current staff members, as well as ensuring that all financial aspects of the pharmacy are handled appropriately. 4. Pharmacist Assistant Specialist A pharmacist assistant specialist is a pharmacist who specializes in solely performing the work of a pharmacy assistant. A pharmacist assistant specialist may assist with routine procedures, or may perform complex tasks that require special training from a pharmacist. 5. Health Information Technician A health information technician is a person who uses computer technology to manage the medical records of patients at hospitals and other healthcare facilities. An information technician gathers, interprets and shares information with healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. A health information technician may perform different tasks, depending on his or her employment setting. 6. Pharmacist A pharmacist is a person who dispenses prescription medication for patients at a pharmacy. A Pharmacist has typically completed many years of schooling to receive this license, and is responsible for ensuring that medications are safe for patients to take and that prescriptions are filled accurately. 7. Medical Assistant A medical assistant is a person who is trained to take care of patients. A medical assistant may perform tasks such as taking vital signs, helping with exercises, and assisting with doctor’s appointments. The duties of a medical assistant may vary, depending on the training they have received. 8. Pharmacy Dispenser A pharmacy dispenser may assist a pharmacist in dispensing medicine to patients, as well as taking care of inventory and other administrative tasks at a pharmacy. A pharmacy dispenser may have different titles depending on the exact position they hold. 9. Pharmaceutical Scientist A pharmaceutical scientist is a person who researches new medicines and treatments for diseases. A pharmaceutical scientist may work with scientists in other fields to develop treatments, and will often use computer programs to aid in their research. 10. Biochemical Technician A biochemical technician is responsible for testing blood samples to determine if the patient is suffering from a certain disease or disorder, such as cancer or multiple sclerosis. A biochemical technician does much of this testing in a hospital lab. Challenges faced by Pharmacy Assistant on the Job The most common challenges faced by pharmacy assistants in carrying out their work functions include: Constant managing of stock levels and patient demands As a pharmacy assistant, you must be very good at keeping track of inventory levels and knowing how to best manage them. Pharmacy assistants are responsible for ensuring that prescriptions are stored safely and are not expired.