Whether you intend on opening up new pharmacy or purchasing a pre-existing one, you’ll need to find dedicated, knowledgeable workers who are experienced in the world of pharmaceuticals. By simply hiring the first candidate who hands you an application, you will likely end up with disastrous results. A pharmacy isn’t the type of establishment for workers with no previous training or experience in the medical field. To help make the hiring process easier for you, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common hiring mistakes at pharmacies.

1.  Hiring Too Many Interns

Internships are commonplace in pharmacies, with nearly every national pharmacy implementing this program. Allowing an internship in your pharmacy is a win-win situation, as you’ll get free work while the intern gets first-hand experience. However, you must keep the number of interns in your pharmacy to a minimum. Once they start to fill up the already limited space in your pharmacy, technicians will have a difficult time moving around. And remember, interns aren’t able to perform most tasks inside a pharmacy.

2.  Not Hiring Enough Technicians

Pharmacy technicians are one of the most important roles in the pharmaceutical industry. In order to become a certified “pharmacy technician,” the individual must pass a rigorous training course along with an exam. Therefore, you can rest assured knowing they have the skills it takes to work in a pharmacy. As a pharmacy owner, you should always be on the lookout for new pharmacy technicians. They will work as the backbone of your business, handling all of the responsibilities of filling prescriptions.

3.  No “Trainers”

When you are hiring new workers for your pharmacy, think about who’s going to train them. While you can hire some of the workers, it’s nice to have a certified trainer around to take care of it for you. Look for a candidate with years of previous experience working in the pharmaceutical industry. During the interview, ask them if they would be willing to train others. Your pharmacy needs a designated leader to handle things when you aren’t around.

These are just a few of the most common hiring mistakes in pharmacies. Use your best judgment and focus on eager candidates with experience in the medical/pharmaceutical field. Doing so will allow for a smoother operation that ultimately results in more customers.