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Occupation Details

Dispensary Technician


(Pharmacy Assistant)

Fact Sheet

Dispensary technicians work under the supervision of a pharmacist to prepare medicines, advise customers on non-medicinal products and assist in stock control.

Duties and Tasks

Dispensary technicians may perform the following tasks:

  • refer prescriptions to the pharmacist
  • assist in the preparation of medicines
  • select stock and attach dispensing and cautionary labels
  • put medication into administration containers
  • use computers for routine maintenance procedures
  • carry out customer service duties, such as answering enquiries and advising customers on appropriate products for use in relation to certain health-related conditions
  • operate cash registers

Quick Facts

School subjects that include some aspect of BIOLOGY provide a useful background to these jobs. In some cases a biology-related subject is a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
School subjects that include some aspects of CHEMISTRY provide a useful background to these jobs. In some cases a chemistry-related subject is a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
Use of precision or semi-precision tools or instruments or deft hand movements are required for these occupations. Included are jobs where poor co-ordination or incomplete use of hands or fingers may make tasks dangerous or difficult to undertake. Jobs requiring full use of hands/fingers are excluded.\par
These jobs require you to be able to see clearly to examine items close-up. It covers jobs where poor vision e.g. tunnel vision, could make the work place unsafe or the job difficult to undertake, e.g. draftsperson working with detailed drawings; checkout operator reading dockets; work requiring good hand-eye co-ordination for working with precision or semi-precision tools.
Workers performing these jobs would usually be expected to spend more than three-quarters of their day indoors, in an office, factory or other enclosed area protected from the weather. Jobs requiring mainly indoor work are excluded.
These jobs require moderate or better reading and writing skills. Workers may be expected to prepare, understand or act on written materials, such as letters or reports. People may wish to avoid these jobs if their reading or writing English skills are limited to a small range of words or phrases and symbols. Jobs remaining may still require very basic reading or writing skills.
The main duties and tasks involved in these jobs are usually performed standing up for periods of at least two hours at a stretch.Jobs requiring standing for long periods have been excluded.
Included are jobs in accounting, administration, advertising, banking, distribution, economics, finance, marketing, personnel management, policy advice, public relations, real estate, sales and valuation.
Included are jobs providing health care diagnosis and treatment, such as general medicine, pharmacy, optometry, radiography, speech therapy, dental health, etc. Also covered are community and welfare services, such as social work, family and children services, and counselling, and personal services such as hairdressing and funeral services.
These jobs involve WORKING WITH IDEAS to investigate or seek solutions to scientific, technical, social or other issues. Activities include observing, researching, analysing and interpreting results. The ability to develop theories, apply logic and explore abstract ideas in a specialist area of knowledge is important.
These jobs involve WORKING WITH PEOPLE, to help, inform, teach or treat them. Activities include discussing personal issues, listening to people's problems, and providing advice, instruction, information or treatment to meet their needs.
These jobs involve WORKING WITH DATA to order, process or retrieve facts and figures, or to develop or administer policies and procedures. Activities include organising, using or updating information, such as files or accounts, developing or following procedures or systems, and the planning, budgeting, and staffing of an organisation.
These jobs involve WORKING WITH PEOPLE, to sell to, influence, motivate, negotiate with, or serve them. Activities include selling, promoting or providing goods or services, bargaining, or presenting a point of view.
These jobs do not usually require completion of secondary education, however further part-time study such as a Certificate III or IV, and on-the-job training, may be required.

Work Conditions

Dispensary technicians have a high level of contact with the public and may have to work nights and weekends. They must also work within the bounds of legislation when providing advice to customers and selling certain medicines.

Personal Requirements

  • careful and methodical
  • willing to learn new skills
  • good communication skills
  • able to deal sensitively with customers' needs

Labour Market Information

Australian JobOutlook for Sales Assistants

See State Specific Information below for further education and training options.