Pharmacy Assistant

4 Ways to Improve Customer Service Skills after Pharmacy Assistant School

November 08, 2018

cheerful pharmacist chemist woman standing in pharmacy drugstore

Potential customers often have many options for where they can go to pick up their medications. They might have a pharmacy near their workplace, another near their home, and a third where they buy their weekly groceries. This is one of the reasons why customer service in pharmacies is so important. Products might be very similar from store to store, and smaller community pharmacies in particular might be limited in how much they adjust prices. What sets a pharmacy apart and keeps loyal customers coming back, then, is not just the products or prices, but the service and expertise of the pharmacy’s employees, and the valuable relationships a customer forms with them.

If you’ve worked in other customer-facing positions in the past, then you might already be familiar with some of the principles of good customer service. If you haven’t, don’t worry, because the skills involved can all be learned with a little practice. Either way, here are four quick tips for how to improve your customer service skills after pharmacy assistant school.

Follow the 30 Second Rule to Make a Positive First Impression

The first impression a business makes on a potential customer is very important. Not only is it likely to colour all of their future interactions with the pharmacy, but it can be decisive in terms of whether they come back at all, and what they might tell their friends and neighbours.

One way to improve the first impression you’re giving customers is to follow the 30 Second Rule, which states that you should always greet a customer within 30 seconds of their walking up to the counter. This sets every customer interaction off to a good start, and lets them know that you see them and are available if they need anything.

Really Listen to Your Pharmacy’s Customers

Listening to a customer is one of the best ways to make sure they feel valued and respected, so always take the time out to hear whatever they have to say. This is especially true after pharmacy assistant school, when you’ll be helping people as they navigate sensitive concerns regarding their health and well-being.

Let Your Customers Know That You Appreciate Their Business

You should always make a point of showing your appreciation for your customers. Whether this means thanking them for their business on their way out of the pharmacy, or sending cards on their birthdays or the anniversary of their first visit, it will let customers know that you value their business.

Build Relationships With Your Customers After Pharmacy Assistant School

In the long term, building relationships with your customers is one of the most important elements of customer service there is. By going the extra mile and really listening to your customers after you finish your pharmacy assistant course, you can begin to build these valuable long-term relationships. Try to learn customers’ names and take an active interest when they tell you about their experiences. If you can build an authentic connection with your customers, they will keep coming back.

pharmacy assistant talking to patient

Building relationships with your customers is a key goal of good customer service

Are you interested in a rewarding career as a pharmacy assistant?

Contact Medix College to learn more about getting your pharmacy assistant diploma in Ontario.

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