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Degrees and Schools
There are four states that require Psychiatric Technicians to be licensed and have specific educational criteria for licensing, which in California, includes completion of an approved Psychiatric Technician program. These programs are typically certificate programs that last two to three semesters and involve onsite clinical practice. For positions in other states, an associate's or bachelor's degree in psychology or related field is the most common educational requirement. Psychology degree programs are available at many community colleges, universities and other colleges. These programs also provide a solid base for those who decide to continue their education at a later time.
Coursework
The types of coursework that would be relevant to someone pursuing a career as a Psychiatric Technician are listed below:
- anatomy and physiology
- fundamentals of nursing
- pharmacology concepts
- theoretic concepts of psychiatric care
- psychiatric management
- mental health and psychiatric nursing
- developmental disabilities
- clinical concepts
Online Classes and Programs
Although online Psychiatric Technician programs are rare, associate's and bachelor's degree programs in psychology are easy to find online. Students need to make sure the program they attend is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Employment Requirements
Employment requirements for Psychiatric Technicians vary by state and employer. Only four states (California, Colorado, Arkansas and Kansas) require that Psychiatric Technicians be licensed. Some positions require that candidates have earned certification from the American Association of Psychiatric Technicians. Educational requirements vary with some employers requiring either an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree in psychology while other positions will accept candidates who only have a high school diploma or GED and past experience working in the mental health field. Most positions require that candidates have CPR certification. Candidates also need to be physically healthy since many positions include helping physically impaired patients stand or get in and out of bed.
How to Evaluate Schools and Programs
When choosing a program in preparation for a job as a Psychiatric Technician, one should ask the following questions:
- Employer Requirements - Does the program meet the educational requirements of employers of the type the student wants to work for?
- License Requirements - If licensing is required in the student's state, does the program meet the educational requirements for licensing?
- Coursework - Does the program offer coursework in specific areas the student is interested in such as adolescents, the elderly, developmental disabilities, substance abuse, etc.?
- Cost - What are the all of the costs associated with the program? Will loans be easy to repay based on the student's future salary?
- Accreditation - Is the program accredited by an agency that is recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)? Does the type of accreditation held by the program allow for credits to be transferred to another program if the student wants to continue with their studies at a later time?
Psychiatric Technicians Job Description
While psychiatrists and other mental health professionals spend relatively short amounts of time assessing and treating those with mental health and mental disability problems, Psychiatric Technicians spend much more time helping patients with their day-to-day needs and treatments. Psychiatric Technicians are the people who make sure patients get dressed and take care of personal hygiene, that they get where they need to be, and that they eat healthy meals. They also make sure patients participate in daily therapeutic activities as determined by the medical staff. Psychiatric Technicians most commonly work in the mental health wards of hospitals and residential facilities but also may work in doctor's offices, correctional facilities and outpatient care centers.
Psychiatric technicians typically work under the direction of a nurse or other health-care professional and have responsibilities such as those listed below:
- monitor physical and emotional well-being of patients
- administer medications
- report issues to medical staff
- assist patients with hygiene tasks
- provide therapeutic treatment
- provide physical assistance
- update patient records
- accompany patients on outside trips
Resources
American Association of Psychiatric Technicians - The AAPT administers voluntary certifications for Psychiatric Technicians at four levels. Each level has specific education and experience requirements and corresponding exams.
California Association of Psychiatric Technicians - This organization provides resources to Psychiatric Technicians, including practice and licensing information, government actions, news and discussion forums. It is targeted at Californians but is useful to those in other states as well.
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