How to hire a certified pharmacist assistant

How to hire a certified pharmacist assistant, step by step

Here's a step-by-step certified pharmacist assistant hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a certified pharmacist assistant job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new certified pharmacist assistant
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

Post a certified pharmacist assistant job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your certified pharmacist assistant job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a certified pharmacist assistant for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a certified pharmacist assistant to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a certified pharmacist assistant that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of certified pharmacist assistant salaries for various roles:

   Type of Certified Pharmacist Assistant	Description	Hourly rate
   Certified Pharmacist Assistant		$13-24
   Pharmacist Technician Trainee	A pharmacist technician trainee is responsible for supporting the staff on pharmacy operations, assisting patients on their medications, and providing other needs according to prescriptions. Pharmacist technician trainees maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the facility, including the adequacy of medicine storage and creating purchase requests... Show more	$11-50
   Pharmacist Clerk	A pharmacist clerk is responsible for performing clerical duties in the pharmacy setting, processing prescription orders, and accepting payments for the medications. Pharmacist clerks provide the best customer service by responding to the customers' inquiries and concerns regarding their medications, instructing them on the correct intake, including the dosage, time, and safe storage based on the physician's prescriptions... Show more	$12-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Patients
   • IV
   • Drug Inventory
   • Customer Service
   • Inventory Control
   • Medication Errors
   • Healthcare Professionals
   • Chemotherapy
   • Drug Interactions
   • Medicaid
   • Epic
   • Order Medications
   • Emergency Drugs
   • Hippa

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage assigned pharmacy workstations and tasks while supporting team members in promptly, safely and accurately filling patient prescriptions.
   • Maintain the national HIPAA compliance regulations at all times.
   • General counseling of patients on maintaining medication adherence, and medication/diet interaction.
   • Prepare chemotherapy medications exercising all safety requirements necessary.
   • Order and inventory medical supplies and medications through Walgreens ordering systems.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your certified pharmacist assistant job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A certified pharmacist assistant salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, certified pharmacist assistants' average salary in north carolina is 39% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level certified pharmacist assistants earn 42% less than senior-level certified pharmacist assistants.
   • Certifications. A certified pharmacist assistant with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a certified pharmacist assistant's salary.

   Average certified pharmacist assistant salary

   $38,438yearly

   $18.48 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level certified pharmacist assistant salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a certified pharmacist assistant job description

   A certified pharmacist assistant job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a certified pharmacist assistant job description:

   Certified pharmacist assistant job description example

   Hannaford Supermarkets started out as a fresh produce vendor in Portland, Maine way back in 1883, and is still connected to those early roots as a local market. Hannaford actively seeks out farmers and producers to join our Local program which celebrates not only local foods, but the preservation of farmland, local traditions and local jobs. The connection we have to the source of our fresh foods is core to the way we do business, becoming the first major supermarket in the United States to document that all its seafood products were sustainably harvested.
   DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
   
   • Greet all customers and provide them with prompt and courteous service and assistance.• Help pharmacists prepare prescriptions by counting or pouring medications, labeling containers, and pricing prescriptions.• Ensure customers receive all their prescriptions.• File written prescription forms after prescriptions are dispensed.• Prepare and complete manual insurance claim forms if needed.• Maintain organized filing system for invoices, manual insurance claims, daily reports, etc.. in accordance with Standard Practice Manual and state law.• Maintain confidentiality of customer and company information.• Help customers find over the counter items.• Maintain a broad understanding of HBC MPP scheduling system and assist in ensuring the data entered is accurate to maintain productivity.• Coordinate scheduling of technicians -including assigned positions and fixed activities.• Adhere to state specific and pertinent federal laws and regulations. • Maintain proper inventory levels: ordering of supplies, return to stocks, transfers, and special requirements for controlled substances (includes diabetic case).• Perform Cardinal returns regularly.• Process pharmacy outdates and credits including keeping inventory free from outdated product.• Maintain knowledge of physical inventory procedures and assist in the physical inventory process including analyzing the condensed variance report and reports from Control D.• Review and understand ACIS reports.• Assist in third party audits as needed.• Share in responsibility for department maintenance and cleanliness in accordance with fixed activities.• Restock pharmacy department supplies (e.g. bottles, bags, labels, staples, etc.) as needed.• Observe and adhere to all company policies and the Pharmacy Standard Practice Manual.• Maintain a neat, well-groomed personal appearance at all times and comply with company personal appearance policy.• Adhere to company safety standards. Communicate any needed equipment repairs or maintenance work needed. Keep work area free of debris and safety hazards.• Treat all co-workers with fairness, dignity and respect.• Maintain the quality of department's appearance and presentation. • Foster a positive and enthusiastic environment to retain associates and customers.• Perform all other duties as assigned.
   
   QUALIFICATIONS
   
   High school graduate or equivalent. Successful completion of criminal background check and drug testing as required. Maintain current PTCB certification and state license as required. Excellent communication and customer service skills. Strong data entry and basic mathematic skills. Effective time management skills and sense of urgency. Effective interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team environment. Demonstrated ability and willingness to learn multiple tasks and technical requirements of the job. Excellent problem solving skills and attention to detail. Ability to multi-task in a stressful environment. Must be able to work with minimal supervision to prioritize multiple minor projects while maintaining customer focus. High levels of integrity, professionalism and confidentiality. Desire and ability to learn all aspects of pharmacy operations including involvement with management, MPP, scheduling, and other delegated duties. Open schedule availability, including nights, weekends and holidays. Desire and ability to train other department associates in all areas pertaining to department operation. Pass an evaluation of EPS competency and "unsupervised" qualifications.
   
   Physical Requirements
   
   • Stand 100% of the time with occasional walking short distances.• Use computer screen/keyboard/mouse/biometric scanner 100% of the time.• Use hands to frequently/continuously handle a variety of sizes of containers then manipulate individual pills/capsules and the equipment used to count them.• Clerical accuracy and mathematical skills and ability to use cash register.• Ability to use staplers, calculators, communication and computer systems frequently.• Frequent/continuous reaching, grasping, lifting, and carrying up to 20 lb. below the waist level and at or above shoulder level.• Bend at the knees and waist repetitively up to 30% of the work day.• Have sufficient visual acuity and audio capability to process prescriptions and service customers.
   
   PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS
   
   • Support and work with all pharmacy staff to achieve outstanding pharmaceutical care and business outcomes.• Actively assist the pharmacist, under their direct supervision, with the filling of new, refill and transfer prescriptions in accordance with current laws, ethical standards and company policies.• Maintain the confidentiality of customer and company information.• Thoroughly understand and operate the pharmacy register, computer software and telephony system.• Maintain an atmosphere of enthusiastic customer focus both in person and on telephone.• Assist in maintenance of third party prescription information and resolution of rejected claims.• Initiate prescription renewal requests to prescriber via telephone call or fax where applicable by law.• Understand the pharmacy inventory control procedures and inventory management including special requirements for controlled substances. • Receive and obtain information needed on written prescriptions or telephone refill requests from customers.• Perform all register functions and bag customer purchases in accordance with established store procedures, including verifying customer's name, address and expected quantity of prescriptions at time of pickup.• Relay specific communications to customer from technician or pharmacist processing prescription.• Maintain solid communication within the department.• Must be able to meet physical requirements of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations.• Serve as in-store trainer.• Serve as role model for customer service and company standard practices
   
   Hannaford provides equal opportunity in employment to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions), age, veteran status, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.
   
   Job Requisition: 272369_external_USA-ME-South-Portland_1062022

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find certified pharmacist assistants for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any certified pharmacist assistants they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level certified pharmacist assistants with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your certified pharmacist assistant job on Zippia to find and attract quality certified pharmacist assistant candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as healthcarejobsite, health jobs nationwide, hospitalcareers, medreps.com.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit certified pharmacist assistants, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new certified pharmacist assistant

   Once you've selected the best certified pharmacist assistant candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new certified pharmacist assistant. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a certified pharmacist assistant?