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Pharmacy delivery jobs require well-trained drivers to deliver pharmaceuticals and every other medical supplies to the designated location. This job might mean you working as a driver directory to the pharmaceutical company or being employed as a third-person delivery driver.
As one who is ready to work as a delivery driver, you need to have a deep understanding of the pharmaceutical company’s location and the various routes they frequent. Also, you need to be one who is attentive even to the tiniest detail; this is because you would have many situations where you are left in the care of sensitive materials and you need to ensure that they are delivered safely.
Working as a pharmacy delivery driver is a good and attractive job, the pay is above average and the job description isn’t quite complex. Are you looking for delivery jobs, where you want to be hired, then this article is for you.
In this article, I will go into detail about everything you need to know about pharmacy delivery jobs and the steps to take if you wish to get employed.
Pharmacy Delivery Driver Work Environment
The work schedules of a pharmacy delivery driver can be complex and subject to changes, depending on the situation at hand. Pharmacy delivery drivers might work early morning, afternoon, evening, or weekend switches.
Working as a pharmacy delivery driver can be a stressful and activity-filled one. When you are not driving back and forth between the delivery paths, you may be expecting deliveries, making deliveries, finalizing paperwork, or waiting for deliveries.
During work hours, the life of a driver can be a solo one as they mostly work alone, though there are a few occasions they get an assistant. It’s also important to know that in most cases, these drivers work full-time; however, some also work part-time, depending on the agreement.
The primary work environment for pharmacy delivery drivers is a hospital, drug store, or pharmacy. The driver might also act as a third-party driver to companies that have an agreement with the above-mentioned companies to distribute drugs to them.
Pharmacy Delivery Driver Salary and Outlook
Pharmacy delivery drivers are well-paid generally, and they earn above average. However, it’s important you know that the level of salary might differ due to a lot of factors like the company you work for, your level of experience, and geographical location.
Low-salary earners amongst pharmacy delivery drivers earn $22.6 every hour; which implies they earn an average of $47,000 every year. On the other hand, big salary earners amongst these drivers earn an average of $38.7 every hour; meaning they earn an average of $80,500, every year.
The need for pharmacy delivery drivers is expected to grow exponentially within the following years. This is because of the growth in population and a result of chronic medical conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes.
This is because chronic illnesses like this require constant checks and regulations; hence, the services of a delivery driver will always be required and their need will only grow more as the years progress. Older patients, who are most affected by this ailment, largely can’t make it to the pharmacy regularly, so these medical companies make the services of a pharmacy driver available to them.
How to Become a Pharmacy Delivery Driver
Working as a pharmacy delivery driver is an attractive line of job that pays above average and the work is somewhat of a humanitarian sort of job. The job also has a nice prospect, which implies you can go for a better-paid offer and your salary would be raised, depending on your experience and expertise.
To become a pharmacy delivery driver, you will have to pass a drug test and have a very clean driving record. Depending on what the company needs, you might undergo some period of training before being hired to work as one. You would also need to be certified before you can kick off as a pharmacy delivery driver.
Also, most companies require a pharmacy delivery driver to have at least a high school diploma or a certificate of the same standing before they can be hired. You would have an added chance of employment if you have worked in customer service previously. Though the advancement process in this line of job is very limited, undergoing training helps your chance of being promoted by a notch.
Pharmacy Delivery Driver Duties
Working as a pharmacy delivery driver comes with lots of expectations that you are expected to fulfill. To work fully as a pharmacy delivery driver, there are some duties you would regularly have to carry out. Here are some of the duties of a pharmacy delivery driver:
- They examine packages to ensure there is no indication of damage or tampering as soon as it’s delivered to them.
- They finalize all the necessary paperwork and this paperwork can be delivery reports and signatures of the patient to whom the package was delivered.
- They follow driving safety rules which include speed limits, turn signal usage, and line changes.
- They receive deliveries and take time to unpack them to make sure they are intact before delivery.
- They ensure the interior of their vehicle is very neat; which implies that they have to dust the surfaces, shampoo, and vacuum the carpet.
- They retain a clean and healthy surrounding by ensuring they tow in line with all the needed safety precautions. So they are to wear hard hats and safety glasses to ensure maximum safety.
- They get payments for shipping costs and other required payments at the time of delivery.
- They also pack and unpack deliveries from warehouses and vehicles.
- They keep a smooth communication process with the staff of the pharmaceutical company and ensure they are properly informed about delivery time and other necessary information.
Pharmacy Delivery Driver Skills
Pharmacy delivery driver jobs as straightforward as they might look come with lots of expectations and long hours of work. So, if one intends to work as a pharmacy delivery driver, then there are certain skills they would require to work at full capacity and climb the ranks as a successful professional.
Here are some of the skills required for a pharmacy delivery driver:
Physical Stamina
This is a very important skill that shouldn’t be overlooked as you would have to do a lot of packing and unpacking from the warehouse to your vehicle or from your vehicle to the warehouse. Also, the work is a fast-paced one, so you need to be active and physically fit to be able to move in tune with the job expectations. You need to fulfill your given task while still bubbling with energy.
Communication
This is pivotal as you would have to explain the function of the package you are delivering to the patients clearly and concisely. To achieve this, you would need good verbal and writing skills. You would also need to communicate effectively with the company staff and your customers for a seamless relationship during the work process.
In cases where there are package deliveries, as a pharmacy delivery driver, you would have to examine the package and get back to the company on whether they are tampered with or still intact.
Customer Service
This is a very necessary skill as it would help you build a good and seamless relationship with your customers and company staff. You need to be polite and leave a lasting impression on your customers, as you might be the first person they might have crossed paths with for the day, so you need to make it rosy.
With good customer service, you would maintain a good and healthy relationship with customers, and also make sure that they are satisfied with the product delivered to them.
Time Management
The job of a pharmacy delivery driver is a fast-paced one, so it’s necessary you keep an adequate tab of time. You might have to make deliveries at different routes for the day and of course, there are given times and expectations you would have to meet up. To avoid choking up with time, you need to have time management skills as a pharmacy delivery driver so you can meet up with fixed schedules.
Attention to Details
This is one of the most important skills a pharmacy delivery driver should imbibe. It’s a very necessary skill as you would have to keep tabs on packages and ensure they are intact and not tampered with. Also, you might have to deliver many packages at a time, hence, you would have to be one who is attentive to details so you can sort out the goods and avoid mixing things up.
Also, you need to be attentive to details when sorting out drug labels and navigating through the various routes. Being attentive to details ensures you keep track of the various routes while driving through.
In conclusion, pharmacy delivery drivers are in high demand; however, to work as one, you would need the skills to navigate through the deep pools of working in that capacity. Also, the salary of those in this profession is quite attractive and the work environment is conducive and healthy.
If you need to know everything about pharmacy delivery jobs, then you made it to the right place. This article made mincemeat of everything you need to know about pharmacy delivery jobs.
