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Health Care Assistant, Medical Assistant, Salesperson
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in assisting pharmacists by labelling drugs, chemicals and other pharmaceutical preparations, and by unpacking and storing supplies and verifying items received against invoices
Interest in compiling information to compound, mix and formulate ointments, solutions, lotions, mouthwashes and other medications under the supervision of pharmacists
Interest in handling scales, weights and measures to ensure correct amounts of ingredients are present in formulas and prescriptions
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Pharmacy assistants work under the supervision of 1 or more pharmacists or pharmacy technicians. Their duties and responsibilities vary depending on their level of training and where they work. In general, they:
Other responsibilities depend on the setting.
In community pharmacies, pharmacy assistants may:
In hospital settings, they may:
Pharmacy assistants may be required to work shifts including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
They sometimes work under stressful conditions. The work is demanding. It requires both accuracy and efficiency, and there is no room for error.
Pharmacy assistants are on their feet for most of their shift. They may be required to lift and move heavy items.
Pharmacy assistants need:
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 100 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Feb 05, 2022 and Mar 30, 2023.
Review these skills to learn:
| Attention to detail | 45 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Maintain prescription records and inventories of medications and pharmaceutical products | 40 |
| Tasks: Compound, package and label pharmaceutical products | 38 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 35 |
| Construction Specialization: Client focus | 33 |
| Construction Specialization: Reliability | 33 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 33 |
| Construction Specialization: Dependability | 30 |
| Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills | 28 |
| Tasks: Prepare and maintain equipment and supplies | 28 |
Employers usually prefer applicants who are graduates of a related training program or who have pharmacy experience. Computer literacy and keyboarding skills are essential.
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Most pharmacy assistants are employed in retail pharmacies or in hospital or medical centre pharmacies.
Pharmacy assistants are part of the larger National Occupational Classification 3414: Other assisting occupations in support of health services. In Alberta, 83% of people employed in this classification work in the Health Care and Social Assistance (pdf) industry.
The employment outlook (pdf) in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, the 3414: Other assisting occupations in support of health services occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.1% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 169 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
For information about current collective agreements in the public and not-for-profit sectors, see the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $35.81 | $21.03 | $20.39 |
| Overall | $16.64 | $38.84 | $23.86 | $23.26 |
| Top | $18.00 | $47.67 | $26.87 | $25.95 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| Public Administration | $52,576 |
|---|---|
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $41,249 |
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $39,005 |
| Retail Trade | $32,872 |
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing | $27,270 |
Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP) website: abpharmacy.ca
Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: www.hsaa.ca
Pharmacy Technician Society of Alberta (PTSA) website: ptsa.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2019. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.