HealthcareISCO 3213
Pharmacy assistant
Pharmacy assistants perform general duties, such as stock management, serving at the cash desk, or performing administrative duties. They deal with the inventory within the pharmacy under the supervision of a pharmacist.
Check yourself in a minute: pharmacy assistant
Rate 5 of the 38 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
follow procedures to control substances hazardous to health
check information on prescriptions
respond to changing situations in health care
inform policy makers on health-related challenges
handle the logistics of medicinal products
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (38)
hygiene in a health care settinghygiene in a health care settingThe procedures related to maintaining a hygienic environment within a health care setting such as hospitals and clinics. It can range from hand washing to cleaning and disinfection of medical equipmen...medicines for self-medicationmedicines for self-medicationMedication which can be self-administered by individuals for psychological or physical problems. This type is sold in supermarkets and drugstores and does not require a doctors prescription. This medi...follow procedures to control substances hazardous to healthfollow procedures to control substances hazardous to healthAdhere to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) procedures for activities that involve hazardous substances, such as bacteria, allergens, waste oil, paint or brake fluids that result i...check information on prescriptionscheck information on prescriptionsVerify the information on prescriptions from patients or from the doctor`s office ensuring that it is complete and accurate.respond to changing situations in health carerespond to changing situations in health careCope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.inform policy makers on health-related challengesinform policy makers on health-related challengesProvide useful information related to health care professions to ensure policy decisions are made in the benefit of communities.handle the logistics of medicinal productshandle the logistics of medicinal productsStore, preserve and distribute medicinal products at the wholesale stage.communicate with customerscommunicate with customersRespond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.use e-health and mobile health technologiesuse e-health and mobile health technologiesUse mobile health technologies and e-health (online applications and services) in order to enhance the provided healthcare.maintain pharmaceutical recordsmaintain pharmaceutical recordsMaintain accuracy of prescription records and inventories of medications and pharmaceutical products.empathise with the healthcare userempathise with the healthcare userUnderstand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence...transfer medicationtransfer medicationTransfer medication from vials to sterile, disposable syringes using aseptic techniques.take pharmaceutical inventorytake pharmaceutical inventoryTake stock of medications, chemicals, and supplies, entering the inventory data into a computer, receiving and storing incoming supplies, verifying the supplied quantities against invoices, and inform...obtain healthcare user's medical status informationobtain healthcare user's medical status informationGather healthcare user information through various sources such as questioning the healthcare user, caregiver, or healthcare professional to obtain information on the patient`s health and social statu...manage healthcare users' datamanage healthcare users' dataKeep accurate client records which also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations in order to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients' data (including verbal, wr...prepare prescription labelsprepare prescription labelsPrepare prescription labels, select the type of prescription container and attach the prescription labels to the container.ensure the appropriate supply in pharmacyensure the appropriate supply in pharmacyGuarantee the correct distribution of the pharamacy products.deal with emergency care situationsdeal with emergency care situationsAssess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment.maintain adequate medication storage conditionsmaintain adequate medication storage conditionsMaintain proper storage and security conditions for medication. Comply with standards and regulations.provide health educationprovide health educationProvide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.handle petty cashhandle petty cashHandle petty cash for minor expenses and transactions required for the daily running of a business.communicate in healthcarecommunicate in healthcareCommunicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.process medical insurance claimsprocess medical insurance claimsContact the patient`s health insurance company and submit the appropriate forms with information on the patient and treatment.ensure quality assurance for pharmaceutical productsensure quality assurance for pharmaceutical productsTake the necessary steps to guarantee the quality of pharmaceutical products ensuring that the refrigerators/freezers are at the correct temperature and complete the appropriate documentation.advise on healthcare users' informed consentadvise on healthcare users' informed consentEnsure patients/clients are fully informed about the risks and benefits of proposed treatments so they can give informed consent, engaging patients/clients in the process of their care and treatment.comply with quality standards related to healthcare practicecomply with quality standards related to healthcare practiceApply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associati...comply with legislation related to health carecomply with legislation related to health careComply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services.listen activelylisten activelyGive attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of cus...adhere to organisational guidelinesadhere to organisational guidelinesAdhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.work in a multicultural environment in health carework in a multicultural environment in health careInteract, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.promote inclusionpromote inclusionPromote and respect diversity, and advocate for equal treatment of genders, ethnicities and minority groups in organisations in order to prevent discrimination and ensure inclusion and a positive envi...interact with healthcare usersinteract with healthcare usersCommunicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.ensure safety of healthcare usersensure safety of healthcare usersMake sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing condit...apply organisational techniquesapply organisational techniquesEmploy a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the set goals set such as detailed planning of personnel's schedules. Use these resources efficiently and s...communicate by telephonecommunicate by telephoneLiaise via telephone by making and answering calls in a timely, professional and polite manner.work in multidisciplinary health teamswork in multidisciplinary health teamsParticipate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.check for medication expiry termscheck for medication expiry termsRegularly check medication in pharmacy, wards and units, for expiry dates, replacing the expired drugs according to standard procedures.accept own accountabilityaccept own accountabilityAccept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.
Optional (9) — show
phytotherapyphytotherapyThe characteristics, the effects and the use of herbal medicines.pharmaceutical chemistrypharmaceutical chemistryThe chemical aspects of identification and synthetic alteration of chemical entities as they relate to therapeutic use. The way various chemicals affect biological systems and how they can be integrat...homeopathyhomeopathyThe alternative medicine whereby pills or liquid mixtures containing only a little of an active ingredient (usually a plant or mineral) can treat a disease.educate on the prevention of illnesseducate on the prevention of illnessOffer evidence-based advice on how to avoid ill health, educate and advise individuals and their carers on how to prevent ill health and/or be able to advise how to improve their environment and healt...operate cash registeroperate cash registerRegister and handle cash transactions by using point of sale register.provide pharmaceutical adviceprovide pharmaceutical adviceProvide information and advice on medicinal products such as the appropriate use, the adverse reactions and the interactions with other medications.communicate in foreign languages with health service providerscommunicate in foreign languages with health service providersApply foreign languages in communicating with health service providers such as doctors and nurses.develop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipdevelop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipDevelop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.apply context specific clinical competencesapply context specific clinical competencesApply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within ...
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Frequently asked questions
What does a pharmacy assistant do?
Pharmacy assistants perform general duties, such as stock management, serving at the cash desk, or performing administrative duties. They deal with the inventory within the pharmacy under the supervision of a pharmacist.
What skills does a pharmacy assistant need?
A pharmacy assistant needs 38 essential skills, including hygiene in a health care setting, medicines for self-medication, follow procedures to control substances hazardous to health, check information on prescriptions, respond to changing situations in health care.
Will AI replace pharmacy assistant jobs?
The AI disruption score for pharmacy assistant is 41/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: operate cash register, take pharmaceutical inventory, check for medication expiry terms. Most resilient: empathise with the healthcare user, deal with emergency care situations, develop a collaborative therapeutic relationship.
AI Replacement Risk
41/ 100
Moderate Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
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