Education and training requirements for Pharmacy aidesMost pharmacy aides receive informal on-the-job training, but employers favor those with at least a high school diploma. Prospective pharmacy aides with experience working as a cashier may have an advantage when applying for jobs. Employers also prefer applicants with strong customer service and communication skills and experience managing inventories and using a computer. Aides entering the field need strong spelling, reading, and mathematics skills. Successful pharmacy aides are organized, dedicated, friendly, and responsible. They should be willing and able to take directions. Candidates interested in becoming pharmacy aides cannot have prior records of drug or substance abuse. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are needed because there is a lot of interaction with patients, coworkers, and healthcare professionals. Teamwork is very important because aides are often required to work with technicians and pharmacists. Pharmacy aides almost always are trained on the job. They may begin by observing a more experienced worker. After they become familiar with the store�s equipment, policies, and procedures, they begin to work on their own. Once they become experienced workers, they are not likely to receive additional training, except when new equipment is introduced or when policies or procedures change. To become a pharmacy aide, one should be able to perform repetitious work accurately. Aides need good basic mathematics skills and good manual dexterity. Because they deal constantly with the public, pharmacy aides should be neat in appearance and able to deal pleasantly and tactfully with customers. Some employers may prefer people with experience typing, handling money, or operating specialized equipment, including computers. Advancement usually is limited, although some aides may decide to become pharmacy technicians or to enroll in pharmacy school to become pharmacists. More information on Pharmacy aides from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook Overview of Pharmacy aides occupation Number of Pharmacy aides in the U.S. Salary and earnings for Pharmacy aides Working conditions for Pharmacy aides Significant points for Pharmacy aides Training requirements for Pharmacy aides Labor Information Home | Occupational data by city | Search Rainforests | Madagascar | What's new |