Post Basic Qualified Pharmacist Assistant Opportunity at Dis-Chem Pharmacies Limited Johannesburg

Dis-Chem Pharmacies Limited is inviting suitably qualified candidates to apply for the Post Basic Qualified Pharmacist Assistant position at its Douglasdale store in Johannesburg, Gauteng. This is a permanent, entry-level opportunity within the Dispensary Category and Pharmacy business unit, offering a market-related salary. The successful candidate will work under the direct personal supervision of a pharmacist and will be responsible for performing specified pharmacy-related duties while delivering professional and excellent customer service.

The Post Basic Qualified Pharmacist Assistant role is suited to a candidate who has completed the required post-basic qualification and is registered with the Pharmacy Council. The position involves assisting with dispensing-related activities, stock control, patient support, medical aid administration and health promotion within the permitted scope of practice. Candidates must be able to work accurately, follow legal and professional requirements and maintain high standards of patient care, confidentiality and pharmacy operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform specified pharmacist assistant duties under the direct personal supervision of a pharmacist.
• Assist with the sale of Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 medicines within the applicable scope of practice.
• Assist with the compounding, manipulation or preparation of non-sterile and sterile medicines or scheduled substances according to approved formulas and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Assist with the repackaging of medicines.
• Support the distribution and control of Schedule 1 to Schedule 5 medicines and scheduled substances.
• Assist with reading and preparing prescriptions after their interpretation and evaluation by a pharmacist.
• Select, manipulate or compound medicines, label them and supply them in suitable containers under the appropriate pharmacist supervision.
• Provide patients with instructions regarding the correct use of medicines supplied.
• Provide relevant health information to individuals to promote healthy practices.
• Learn to interpret prescriptions accurately and perform all duties professionally, responsibly and within applicable legal requirements.
• Ensure that all pharmacy activities comply with South African Pharmacy Council requirements.
• Capture patient details accurately and verify patient information before processing prescriptions or related transactions.
• Ensure accurate picking, packing and labelling of medication.
• Maintain awareness of common dosages and important drug interactions within the scope of the role.
• Give patients clear and accurate instructions on the correct use of medicines supplied.
• Keep up to date with changes in medical aid procedures and requirements relating to claims and dispensing.
• Ensure all medication is checked for accuracy by a pharmacist and signed off by the pharmacist.
• Assist with the sale of Schedule 1 medicines.
• Assist with medication repackaging activities according to approved procedures.
• Achieve the minimum requirements necessary to comply with MAPL.
• Advise and assist patients at the dispensary, self-medication counter and front shop within the permitted scope of practice.
• Provide appropriate information to individuals to support health promotion.
• Follow through on commitments made to customers regarding special orders.
• Follow up on medical aid queries and assist customers with relevant information.
• Process all paperwork required for the accurate submission of medical aid claims.
• Correct appropriate errors on prescriptions or claims rejected by medical aids.
• Ensure authorisation requirements are addressed for chronic, HIV and AIDS, and oncology medication.
• Maintain accurate customer profiles on the pharmacy system.
• Review messages recorded on customer profiles and take appropriate action.
• Report low stock levels, out-of-stock items and stock discrepancies to the responsible pharmacist.
• Assist with scheduled stock takes.
• Exercise proper control over pharmacy stock and assets.
• Receive dispensary stock according to company Standard Operating Procedures.
• Merchandise stock according to the FIFO principle.
• Maintain housekeeping standards in accordance with the applicable corporate store requirements.
• Adhere to all relevant pharmacy policies, procedures and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Follow health and safety rules and regulations at all times.
• Comply with uniform and personal appearance requirements.
• Maintain compliance with Good Pharmacy Practice standards.
• Assist with maintaining annual pharmacy declaration and CPD requirements.
• Sign up customers for loyalty cards and link these cards to patient profiles.
• Assist with Health Windows activities and ensure that these are attended to correctly.
• Assist with blister packing and ensure that the process is carried out accurately and correctly.
• Provide professional, courteous and customer-focused service throughout the patient journey.
• Protect the confidentiality and integrity of patient information and pharmacy records.
• Support the responsible pharmacist and wider pharmacy team with additional duties as required.

Requirements and Skills

• Grade 12 Mathematics at Higher Grade, together with Life Science and/or Physical Science, with an average of at least 50%, is essential.
• A Post Basic Pharmacist Assistant qualification is essential.
• Computer skills are required.
• Good numerical skills are essential.
• Registration with the Pharmacy Council is required.
• Knowledge of Unisolv will be advantageous.
• Knowledge or experience with e-Scripting will be advantageous.
• Good communication skills are essential.
• Strong listening skills are required to understand patient needs and instructions accurately.
• A strong customer service orientation is important.
• Good problem-solving abilities are required.
• Candidates must be able to work effectively as part of a team.
• Conflict management skills are important when dealing professionally with difficult or sensitive situations.
• Candidates should demonstrate accountability and the ability to lead by example through professional conduct.
• Trustworthiness and honesty are essential when working with medicines, patient information, cash-related processes and pharmacy records.
• Strong time-management skills are required.
• Candidates must be able to adhere to deadlines and service requirements.
• The ability to remain effective under pressure is important.
• High attention to detail is essential when interpreting prescriptions, capturing patient information, picking medication and processing claims.
• Retail FMCG experience will be advantageous.
• The ability to communicate in a second language in addition to English will be advantageous.
• Candidates must be physically fit and able to stand for long periods.
• A valid driver’s licence and reliable transport are required.
• Applicants must be South African citizens or hold a valid work permit.
• Candidates must have clear credit and criminal records.
• Applicants should be willing and able to work within the responsibilities and legal limitations applicable to a Post Basic Qualified Pharmacist Assistant.

The Post Basic Qualified Pharmacist Assistant opportunity at Dis-Chem Douglasdale provides an opportunity for a qualified pharmacy professional to develop practical experience within a busy retail pharmacy environment. The role combines dispensing support, patient interaction, stock management, medical aid administration and health promotion, requiring a high level of accuracy and professional responsibility. Because the position involves medicines and patient information, the successful candidate must consistently follow pharmacy procedures, Good Pharmacy Practice standards and the requirements of the Pharmacy Council.

A significant part of the role involves supporting the pharmacist with prescription-related activities and ensuring that medicines are picked, packed, labelled and handled correctly. Candidates will also assist patients with appropriate instructions regarding the use of supplied medicines and provide health information within the scope of practice. Strong communication and listening skills are therefore essential, as the successful candidate will interact regularly with patients, customers, medical aid providers and members of the pharmacy team.

The position also includes important administrative and stock-control responsibilities. The successful candidate will assist with medical aid claims, correct appropriate rejected claim or prescription errors, maintain customer profiles, monitor stock levels and support stocktaking activities. Accurate record keeping, proper stock control and timely escalation of discrepancies to the responsible pharmacist will be essential for maintaining efficient pharmacy operations.

Candidates interested in the Douglasdale position should carefully review the professional registration and employment conditions before applying. The successful applicant must be registered with the Pharmacy Council, be physically fit enough to stand for extended periods and have a driver’s licence with reliable transport. Applicants must also be South African citizens or hold a valid work permit and must have clear credit and criminal records.

Knowledge of Unisolv and e-Scripting will be an advantage, while previous retail FMCG experience and the ability to speak a second language in addition to English may also benefit candidates. Beyond technical requirements, Dis-Chem is looking for an individual who is trustworthy, professional, customer-focused and able to work accurately under pressure. The ability to work cooperatively with pharmacists, pharmacy colleagues, patients and other stakeholders will be important to success in the role.

The permanent Post Basic Qualified Pharmacist Assistant position is based at Dis-Chem’s Douglasdale store in Johannesburg, Gauteng. The opportunity carries a market-related salary and provides a platform for a qualified pharmacist assistant to apply their skills in a professional retail pharmacy environment. Interested candidates should ensure that they meet the qualification, registration and employment requirements before submitting their applications.

The closing date for applications is 9 September 2026. Dis-Chem states that only successful applicants will be contacted and that candidates who have not been contacted within two weeks after the closing date should consider their applications unsuccessful. Eligible candidates who are ready to contribute to safe, accurate and customer-focused pharmacy services are encouraged to apply before the deadline.

Apply here