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Pharmacy managers oversee all day-to-day pharmacy operations and manage all staff in the pharmacy department. Pharmacy managers work full-time hours during all shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays. The pharmacy manager reports directly to the operations manager or store manager, but primarily works as the head of the pharmacy team. Infrequently, pharmacy managers travel to pick up inventory items and must be on-call to handle pharmacy emergencies and advise patients.

 

Pharmacy Manager Duties and Responsibilities

Specific job duties for pharmacy managers vary based on the size of the pharmacy, the number of employees, and the number of customers being served. However, their core responsibilities and daily tasks are universal across all pharmacy environments:

 

Manage Pharmacy Staff

Pharmacy managers lead staff members in the pharmacy by assigning work tasks, supervising, evaluating, hiring, firing, training, and scheduling work shifts for all employees.

 

Oversee Prescriptions

Pharmacy managers fill prescriptions and check prescriptions filled by pharmacy techs to ensure proper procedures have been followed.

 

Consult with Patients

Pharmacy managers advise patients and give them proper directions for taking prescription drugs, supplements, and over-the-counter medications. Pharmacy managers also address customer problems and complaints.

 

Administer Immunizations

Pharmacy managers administer immunizations and vaccines to patients, following all safety and cleanliness procedures.

 

Adhere to Controlled Substance Laws

Pharmacy managers follow controlled substance protocols in accordance with state and federal laws.

 

Consult with Physicians

Pharmacy managers consult with physicians and medical staff on proper medication dosages before administering medications to patients.

 

Open and Close Pharmacy

Pharmacy managers follow all opening and closing procedures for the pharmacy.

 

Maintain Protocols

Pharmacy managers ensure that all employees, including themselves, maintain all pharmacy and store protocols and procedures.

 

Manage Inventory

Pharmacy managers maintain and manage inventory, ordering new supplies when necessary and keeping inventory areas organized.

 

Keep Pharmacy Clean

Pharmacy managers keep the pharmacy clean and well-organized.

 

Collect Payments

Pharmacy managers collect money, balance registers, and check daily receipts to maintain the pharmacy budget.

 

Pharmacy Manager Skills and Qualifications

Pharmacy managers are highly organized professionals with leadership and listening skills. They display compassion and patience for all pharmacy customers. Employers seek out pharmacy managers who have the following skills:

Leadership skills – pharmacy managers are supervisors who lead by example, supervising staff and overseeing all daily operations to keep the pharmacy running efficiently and legally
Customer service– because pharmacy managers address customer complaints and dispense advice to customers, these professionals have strong customer service skills
Communication– pharmacy managers use good verbal communication skills to explain medications and dosages to patients and direct staff effectively
Computer skills– pharmacy managers use computer skills to verify prescriptions in the system, enter information into digital customer files, and check inventory records
Math skills– as pharmacy managers collect payments and balance registers, these professionals have at least basic math skills
 

Pharmacy Manager Education and Training

Pharmacy managers are both pharmacists and managers who must have a bachelor’s degree in pharmacology or a related field of study to pursue this career. Employers also require pharmacy managers to have a current pharmacy license in the state where they work, as each state has its own licensing requirements. Pharmacy managers cannot be on the DEA excluded parties list and must have a current immunization certification. This certification is obtained after participants successfully complete an immunization training course.

 

Little to no training is provided to pharmacy managers, who should already have the necessary education to perform their job duties. Some employers will provide a brief orientation program to pharmacy managers, usually lasting no more than a week, so they can become familiar with pharmacy and store procedures.

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Looking for strong business acumen and excellent customer service, must have experience growing and developing new pharmacy with respect to metrics and financial goals.