The Pharmacy Technician program is a 300 hours of both theory and hands on classroom instruction. The program is offered as a day, afternoon or evening course. A Criminal Background Check will be required of students as mandated by law or as a condition of program approval/accreditation. Over the course of three months you will gain exposure to the preparation of medications, maintaining client records, assisting with inventory control, purchasing, collecting payments, coordinating billing, and much more. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam. (PTCE) Graduates of Benchmark’s Pharmacy Technician program benefit from a curriculum that combines relevant classroom study and hands-on experience. Areas of study include: Federal Pharmacy Law, State Pharmacy Law, Prescription Interpretation and Preparation, Business and Principals of Pharmacy Practice, Sterile and Non-sterile Compounding and Field Experience.

Employment of pharmacy technicians is expected to increase by 32 percent from 2006 to 2016, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. The increased number of middle-aged and elderly people—who use more prescription drugs than younger people—will spur demand for technicians throughout the projection period. In addition, as scientific advances bring treatments for an increasing number of conditions, more pharmacy technicians will be needed to fill a growing number of prescriptions.

Excellent opportunities exist in Austin and throughout the United States for qualified pharmacy technicians, in both hospital and other pharmacy-practice settings. Average starting pay is $13-$14 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications. There are many opportunities for advancement and professional growth.