Pharmacy Assistant

Class Specifications – H.15
Pharmacy Assistant Supervisor – 9280
Pharmacy Assistant III – 9281
Pharmacy Assistant II – 9282
Pharmacy Assistant I – 9283

May, 1989

Series Concept

Pharmacy Assistants perform a variety of tasks related to drug inventory control and to the manufacturing, packaging, preparation, and distribution of drug orders in a pharmacy facility and perform other related tasks as assigned. These tasks are routine in nature, do not require licensure, and are performed under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist.

Incumbents typically perform tasks which are directly related to the provision of defined pharmaceutical services in a medical facility. Incumbents prepare labels, package medication, process drug orders, maintain records, and perform other related duties.

Class Concepts

Pharmacy Assistant Supervisor

Under general supervision, incumbents perform full supervisory duties which include interviewing and selecting applicants, completing performance appraisals, implementing corrective action, and establishing work schedules and training programs. In addition to supervisory responsibilities, incumbents may also assist the licensed pharmacist in the recommendation and implementation of new work methods and procedures. Incumbents may in addition perform duties as outlined in the Series Concept.

Pharmacy Assistant III

Under general supervision, incumbents typically perform the full range of specialized duties in all specialized functional areas of the pharmacy department and may in addition perform the full range of tasks in all areas of the pharmacy department as outlined in the Series Concept. Specialized functional areas include but are not limited to the following: In-Patient Practice, Ambulatory Care, and Intravenous Additive Service (IVAS) . Specialized duties include but are not limited to such activities as the handling of controlled drugs, mixing of extemporaneous drug preparations, completion of special billing (e.g., Medi-Cal) and home health care activities.

Pharmacy Assistant II

Under supervision, incumbents are assigned advanced operational duties as specialists in a selected functional area and may in addition perform the full range of tasks in all areas of the pharmacy department as outlined in the Series Concept. Incumbents at this level do not perform the full range of specialized duties in all specialized functional areas of the pharmacy department as is typical of assignments at the Pharmacy Assistant III level. Examples of specialized duties and specialized functional areas are described above for the Pharmacy Assistant III class.

Pharmacy Assistant I

Under supervision, incumbents perform the full range of duties as outlined in the Series Concept. This is the operational level of the series.

MInimum Qualifications

Applicants for positions in the Pharmacy Assistant series are expected to possess the skills, knowledge, and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.

(Note: Specific qualification requirements are approved for positions by the Personnel Manager in accordance with the provisions of Staff Personnel Policies 210.8 and 210.9.)