The Cornerstone of Care: Clicks Cedar Road Seeks a Qualified Post-Basic Pharmacist Assistant
The Clicks Group, a leading health and beauty retailer in South Africa, is actively recruiting for the pivotal role of a Pharmacist Assistant (QPB – Qualified Post Basic) at its Clicks Cedar Road store in Fourways. This permanent, market-related position, listed with reference click_022934, is far more than an administrative role; it is a critical interface in the delivery of accessible, professional pharmaceutical care to the community.
This opportunity is for a dedicated individual ready to embody the Clicks commitment to integrity, customer service, and clinical excellence within the highly regulated Pharmaceutical Sector.
The Indispensable Role of the Qualified Post-Basic Pharmacist Assistant (QPB)
The Pharmacist Assistant (QPB) occupies a vital tier within the South African pharmacy structure, as defined by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). The “Qualified Post-Basic” designation signifies that the assistant has successfully completed the requisite training and is legally authorized to perform a broad scope of dispensing and pharmaceutical care services under the direct supervision of a registered Pharmacist.
The core mandate of this role is twofold: delivering pharmaceutical care services and performing day-to-day dispensary administration in strict accordance with the company’s Standard Operating Plans (SOPs) and Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) principles.
Key Objectives: A Day in the Life
The job description highlights a balanced mix of patient-facing responsibilities, technical dispensing tasks, and administrative duties essential for a smoothly functioning pharmacy:
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High Standards of Customer Service and Care: This is the paramount objective. The QPB acts as a healthcare professional, providing empathetic and knowledgeable support to every customer. This includes efficient script processing, advising on the appropriate use of medicines, promoting cost-effective generic options, and providing general health advice within the scope of practice.
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Efficient Dispensary Administration: A significant portion of the role involves meticulous administrative work, including the accurate capturing and processing of prescriptions, patient profile management, and ensuring correct claim procedures with medical aids.
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Accurate Compounding and Dispensing: The QPB is authorized to assess, prepare, and pack prescriptions. This requires accuracy and attention to detail to ensure patient safety and adherence to the prescribed treatment. This also extends to accurate compounding (mixing or preparing medicines according to a formula) and assisting with the manipulation of scheduled substances under the pharmacist’s instruction.
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Stock Control and Repacking: Maintaining the integrity and availability of medicine is crucial. Responsibilities include efficient stock control, checking expiry dates, executing cycle counts, adhering to stringent stock management principles (especially for scheduled substances up to Schedule 6), and the repacking of medicine according to SOPs.
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Housekeeping and Merchandise Display: The QPB contributes to the overall environment of the Clicks store, ensuring high standards of housekeeping and ensuring the merchandise displays—particularly in the health isle and over-the-counter (OTC) areas—are neat, accessible, and compliant with regulatory standards.
Essential Qualifications and Competencies
To successfully step into this role, the candidate must possess a blend of formal qualifications, technical skills, and essential behavioural competencies that align with the Clicks Group’s values.
Non-Negotiable Requirements
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Matric with Maths (Essential): A foundational understanding of mathematics is critical for accurate dosing, compounding calculations, basic financial processes, and stock management.
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HPCSA Registration: The applicant must meet the minimum requirements of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) for a Pharmacist Assistant (Qualified, Post Basic). This qualification is the legal bedrock that defines the scope of their professional activities.
Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge: The Professional Toolkit
The ideal candidate will combine clinical knowledge with strong operational capabilities:
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Product Knowledge (Health isle and OTC): The ability to guide customers through the extensive range of non-prescription products and provide basic, accurate health advice is key to the customer-centric model.
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SAPC and Relevant Legal Knowledge: Deep familiarity with the rules and regulations set by the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) is non-negotiable for ethical working practice and compliance. This ensures all dispensing and administrative tasks are within the legal scope of practice.
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Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Given the nature of handling medicine, this quality is paramount for patient safety.
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IT and Business Operating Systems: Proficiency in IT, including MS Office and the pharmacy’s dispensing/business operating systems (such as Unisolve or similar platforms), is essential for accurate record-keeping and efficient script processing.
Core Competencies: The Clicks Group Culture
The listed competencies reflect Clicks’ dedication to ethical practice and high-performing teamwork:
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Adhering to Principles and Values & Ethical Working Practice: Demonstrating integrity, honesty, and professional ethics in every interaction, which underpins the trust customers place in the pharmacy.
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Working with People & Relating and Networking: Being a collaborative Team Player who can interact effectively with pharmacists, fellow assistants, store staff, and, most importantly, customers.
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Delivering Results and Meeting Customer Expectations: A results-oriented focus driven by a strong Customer Service Orientation—the ability to delight customers through efficient service.
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Following Instructions and Procedures & Planning and Organising: The ability to adhere strictly to SOPs and GPP guidelines, while also planning daily tasks efficiently to manage the high-paced environment of a busy retail pharmacy in Fourways.
The Clicks Group: A Commitment to Healthcare and Transformation
Joining Clicks Cedar Road means becoming part of one of Southern Africa’s most trusted retail brands, a company deeply committed to building a trusted, accessible healthcare network for all South Africans.
Accessibility and Trust
Clicks’ business strategy is focused on providing affordable and high-quality healthcare products and services. Pharmacist Assistants are directly responsible for delivering this value proposition, ensuring that every patient receives professional care, and promoting affordable options like generic medicines. The group’s commitment to quality is reinforced by its ongoing affiliation with the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC).
Employment Equity and Skills Development (EE Position)
The Clicks Group places a strong strategic emphasis on Transformation, Diversity, and Inclusion. The indication that this is an EE Position signifies the company’s commitment to the principles of Employment Equity, actively seeking to develop a workforce that reflects the demographics of South Africa.
Clicks is a known leader in training and skills development, investing significantly in its employees, including pharmacy professionals. Joining as a Qualified Post-Basic Assistant can be a solid career step, with the Clicks Group often being recognised as a top employer in the retail sector for its commitment to employee development and well-being.
Location and Opportunity: Clicks Cedar Road, Fourways
The position is located in Fourways, a prominent, fast-growing commercial and residential hub in Johannesburg, Gauteng. The Clicks Cedar Road pharmacy serves a diverse and busy community, requiring the successful applicant to be adaptable, fast-paced, and capable of working effectively under pressure.
This specific location offers a vibrant work environment within a high-traffic retail setting, which is excellent for those looking to hone their customer service, organisational, and dispensing skills to a consistently high standard. The permanent contract and market-related remuneration reflect the critical value Clicks places on qualified and dedicated pharmacy professionals.
Conclusion: A Career Path Focused on Care
The recruitment for a Pharmacist Assistant QPB at Clicks Cedar Road represents a significant career opportunity for a highly organized, ethically-driven, and customer-focused individual. It is a chance to leverage a professional qualification—the HPCSA Qualified Post-Basic registration—to make a tangible difference in community health.
The role demands technical compliance, meticulous attention to detail, and a genuine passion for patient well-being, all within the robust, supportive, and transforming framework of the Clicks Group. Interested and qualified applicants are strongly encouraged to apply before the closing date to secure a role at the heart of accessible pharmaceutical care in Fourways.
Would you like me to find out more about the specific training or qualification pathway for a Pharmacist Assistant (Qualified Post-Basic) in South Africa, or perhaps search for current career growth opportunities within the Clicks Group for this position?