Canada Moderate

Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants

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.

Employment Outlooks

Economic Region Outlooks

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Choose up to 3 regions to see employment outlooks. This occupation has data for 72 economic regions.

Salary Information

National wage data for this occupation

Entry-level

CA$16.00

/hr

Typical

CA$20.00

/hr

Experienced

CA$26.00

/hr

Average: CA$20.86/hr

67.5% of workers in this occupation receive non-wage benefits

Source: Job Bank Canada. Wages may vary by region and experience.

Examples

Illustrative Examples

pharmacy aide
pharmacy assistant
pharmacy technical assistant

All Examples

dispensary assistant
drugstore dispensing assistant
drugstore side room attendant
pharmacy aide
pharmacy assistant
pharmacy helper
pharmacy side room attendant
pharmacy supply assistant
pharmacy technical assistant

Main Duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
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.

Requirements

Employment Requirements

Pharmacy technical assistants usually require completion of up to two-years of a Pharmacy Technical Assistance vocational program.
Pharmacy assistants usually require completion of a Pharmacy Assistant college program, ranging from six to twelve months or completion of secondary school and several months of on-the-job training.