A pharmacy assistant supports pharmacists and pharmacy technicians with the everyday work of a pharmacy. That means preparing and labelling prescriptions, handling inventory, keeping patient records accurate and looking after customers at the counter. The work sits in community pharmacies, hospitals and care homes across Calgary, and the training is short next to most clinical health care roles.
This guide walks through what the job involves, what it pays in Alberta, how long the training takes, what a program teaches you, and how the role differs from a regulated pharmacy technician position. It also covers hiring demand in Calgary and the route into the work through ABES College.
Thinking about pharmacy assistant work in Calgary? Pharmacy assistants support pharmacists with prescription intake, inventory, and customer service in community pharmacies, hospitals, and care homes. In Alberta’s 2023 wage survey the role averages $21.28 an hour, and you can qualify through a diploma in about six months. Demand across Alberta is steady, which makes it a practical entry point into healthcare.
What is a pharmacy assistant?
A pharmacy assistant helps pharmacists and technicians with day-to-day tasks. That includes preparing prescriptions, compounding and labelling products, and packaging medications for pickup or delivery in a community pharmacy, hospital, or care home.
A pharmacy assistant plays an integral role in the healthcare industry, particularly in community pharmacies. They provide support to pharmacists and technicians in various pharmacy operations, ensuring the smooth functioning of the pharmacy. While specific duties may vary depending on the pharmacy and their level of experience, pharmacy assistants generally perform administrative tasks, assist customers, and help with medication compounding and dispensing, as well as inventory management.
What does a pharmacy assistant do?
Working under a pharmacist’s supervision, a pharmacy assistant helps meet the pharmacy’s daily needs. Common duties include:
- Dispensing and labelling prescriptions for pickup or delivery
- Maintaining drug inventory and proper storage
- Recording patient information in pharmacy systems
- Answering phones and serving customers
- Creating invoices and accepting payment
- Managing and preparing insurance claims
- Restocking medications in hospital wards, where applicable
Pharmacy assistants are responsible for various tasks such as operating the cash register, maintaining patient records, organizing prescription medications, and ensuring proper drug storage. They also assist customers with medication questions, provide over-the-counter medication recommendations, and handle third-party insurance claims.
For a side-by-side look at how this role differs from a regulated technician position, read our pharmacy assistant vs. pharmacy technician guide.
Pharmacy assistant vs. pharmacy technician
In Alberta’s pharmacies, pharmacy assistants and technicians have distinct roles. Pharmacy assistants, typically requiring a diploma, handle tasks like operating cash registers, maintaining records, and offering customer service. Pharmacy assistants are able to compound and dispense non-sterile compounds. They may undergo on-the-job training or attend pharmacy assistant programs.
Conversely, pharmacy technicians require more formal education and certification. They ensure that all procedures are met when supervising pharmacy assistants. A pharmacy assistant may not release a prescription to a patient in the absence of a pharmacy technician or pharmacist directly supervising the activities they are performing.
What a pharmacy assistant cannot do
In Alberta, pharmacy assistants are not authorized to perform tasks that require the professional expertise and knowledge of a pharmacist or pharmacy technician. This includes tasks such as mixing sterile compounds, providing medical advice, and counseling patients on medication use. Only licensed pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are permitted to perform these duties to ensure patient safety and adherence to regulations.
How much does a pharmacy assistant make?
Per ALIS (2023 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey), pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants earn an average of $21.28 an hour, with most between $17.14 and $24.74. Pay rises with experience and with the setting you work in.
In addition, pharmacy assistance is a career where you can be paid well, considering the amount of school needed to start the job. The median wage is $20/hour, with higher wages reaching $27/hour for pharmacy assistants. This means that the career has strong income opportunities now and into the future.
The average annual salary for pharmacy assistants is around $38,000 to $45,000, depending on factors such as experience, education, and the location of the pharmacy. Entry-level pharmacy assistants may start with a salary of around $30,000, but with experience and additional training, they can earn higher wages. Some pharmacy assistants also have the opportunity to work part-time or on a per-hour basis, which may affect their overall earnings.
How long does it take to become a pharmacy assistant?
Most employers look for a post-secondary program and certification. The Pharmacy Assistant Diploma at ABES College runs 26 weeks, about six months, including a supervised practicum. If you later want to advance to a regulated pharmacy technician role, expect an accredited program of one to two years plus registration with the Alberta College of Pharmacy.
Overall, it can take approximately six months to one year to become a qualified pharmacy assistant in Alberta, including the time spent on education, gaining experience, and potentially obtaining certification. It’s important to note that these timelines are estimates and can vary depending on individual circumstances and opportunities available.
How to become a pharmacy assistant in Alberta
To become a pharmacy assistant in Alberta, one typically needs a high school diploma or equivalent. That said, most employers prefer candidates who’ve completed a post-secondary pharmacy assistant program. Practical experience and optionally obtaining certification can further enhance job prospects.
Complete an education
While a high school diploma is typically the minimum requirement, some employers may prefer candidates who have completed a pharmacy assistant program. These programs provide specialized training in areas such as pharmacology, pharmacy operations, medication management, and customer service.
Gain experience
Look for opportunities to gain practical experience in a pharmacy setting. This can be through internships, volunteering, or part-time positions. Pharmacy cashier experience will also give you a better understanding of the role and enhance your job prospects.
Develop key skills
Pharmacy assistants need strong organizational and communication skills. They should also have good attention to detail, as they will be responsible for tasks such as packaging medications and maintaining patient records.
Consider certification
While certification is not mandatory in Alberta, it can improve your job prospects and credibility. The Canadian Association of Pharmacy Technicians offers a National Pharmacy Technician Bridging Education Program for pharmacy assistants who wish to further their education and career.
Start your job search
Once you have the necessary education and experience, start looking for pharmacy assistant positions in retail or hospital pharmacies. You can find job opportunities on online job boards, healthcare industry websites, or by directly contacting pharmacies.
What you learn in a pharmacy assistant program
You need to do some schooling to learn how to do the job properly. Your education should include detailed instruction on these topics:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Medical terminology
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacy practices
- Pharmacy software
- Institutional and community pharmacy practices
- Compounding
- Calculations
A good program will also seek to prepare you for your future career with both in-class instruction and a practical component of your education.
Who makes a good pharmacy assistant?
A pharmacy assistant is a great role for someone passionate about health care but not necessarily the stress, bodily fluids, or direct patient contact associated with other health care roles. Of course, pharmacy assistants will talk to patients, but most of their work involves organizing, keeping records of, and preparing medications.
Usually, the kind of person who wants to be a pharmacy assistant is naturally detail oriented, likes to work as a member of a team, cares about other people’s privacy, and can understand the details of medications and the laws surrounding them.
What the hours are like
Pharmacy assistants in Alberta usually work around 35 to 40 hours per week, during regular business hours, though this can vary based on the pharmacy’s operations. For example, hospital pharmacies will likely require night and weekend shifts.
Pharmacy assistant career opportunities
Community pharmacies, hospitals, and care homes across Calgary hire pharmacy assistants, and many employers report ongoing vacancies. That gives graduates a real path into steady work, with room to grow into technician training later if they choose.
According to the latest data from the Government of Alberta, the employment prospects for pharmacy assistants in the province are positive. From 2019 to 2023, job openings for pharmacy assistants in Alberta are projected to be high, with an average estimated 170 job openings expected each year. This demand can be attributed to several factors, including population growth, healthcare access improvements, and an aging population requiring more medications.
With the right educational requirements, such as a high school diploma and possibly completing a pharmacy assistant program, along with the necessary skills and experience, individuals interested in pursuing pharmacy assistant careers can capitalize on these job opportunities and find rewarding positions within community pharmacies, retail pharmacies, and even hospital pharmacies.
In general, yes, there is high demand for pharmacy assistants in Western Canada. In fact, there is expected to be more demand for pharmacy assistants in the future as the medical system grows to support our aging population.
Career progression for pharmacy assistants
Yes, pharmacy assistants can pursue various career paths within the pharmacy field with experience and further training. They may choose to become pharmacy technicians or progress into supervisory roles supporting pharmacy operations.
There might be. Pharmacy assistants can become dispensing agents. If you enjoy the field, you might also seek further training.
Is it worth becoming a pharmacy assistant?
Yes! Being a pharmacy assistant in Canada offers a rewarding career in the pharmaceutical industry. They play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth functioning of pharmacies and delivering efficient customer service.
With a livable salary and minimal entry requirements, the role of a pharmacy assistant is an attractive career option or a stepping stone to other opportunities.
Study pharmacy assisting at ABES College
The Pharmacy Assistant Diploma in Calgary at ABES College prepares you for pharmacies, hospitals, and similar settings through focused courses and hands-on practicum. Contact our admissions team to get started.
Related reading
- Choosing a health care career in Calgary
- Financial assistance options for ABES College students
- Getting from health care training into a job
Talk to an advisor about the pharmacy assistant route
ABES College runs the Pharmacy Assistant program in Calgary. An ABES College advisor can go through entrance requirements, upcoming intakes and funding options with you.
