Psychiatric Technician Program

Psychiatric Technicians (PTs) provide care for mentally disordered or developmentally disabled clients under the supervision of director of the services. The director may be a physician, psychologist, rehabilitation therapist, social worker registered nurse or other professional personnel. The PT utilizes scientific and technical expertise and manual skills to provide care and training for clients with mental disorders and developmental disabilities. Duties within the scope of practice of a PT typically include, but are not limited to, basic hygiene and nursing care; measurement of vital signs; performance of prescribed medical treatments; administration of prescribed medications; implementation of behavioral management techniques; crisis intervention; sensory and perceptual development assessment; social and vocational training; and, the facilitation of individual and group therapeutic activities.

Classes begin once a year. Students spend forty (20-40) hours per week attending
classes, laboratory activities, and clinical instruction in patient care areas. Classes are held Monday through Friday, 9am to 2pm (Morning sessions) and 5pm-10pm (evening sessions). Clinical sessions schedule varies. The student receives approximately 576 hours of didactic and laboratory instruction and approximately 954 hours of clinical education allowing them to apply the lecture topics to practical use. The sessions schedule for the clinical training varies, please check the times with admission counselor. The curriculum will give you the technical, clinical, and interpersonal skills necessary to succeed in this challenging field. Upon completion of the program, a certificate is awarded.

The general criteria for admission for Psychiatric Technician Program are:
1. Student must have graduated from high school, or earned a GED and be at least 18 years of age.
2. Student must pay all applicable fees, as per the current published fee schedule prior to the issuance of an enrollment contract or make other arrangements acceptable to the school.
3. Complete an Ability to Benefit test, with a score of at least 19 to be admitted.
4. Student may be asked to pass an interview with the nursing program director or associate program director.

Length: 14 months (1530 Hours)
Internship/ Clinical: 960+ hours in affiliated medical facilities.
The didactic training correlates with the lab and clinical education.
Didactic/ Lab sessions schedule: Morning - 9AM - 2PM; Evening - 5PM-10PM
Clinical sessions schedule: Morning - 7AM - 3PM; Evening - 4PM - 11PM; Day - 9AM-5PM

Registration Fees: $75.00 (non-refundable)
Textbooks: $900.00
Tuition: $17,595.00
Total Program Cost: $18,570.00

Disclaimer Form
To all Psychiatric Technician students: The law DOES require Psychiatric Technicians to be BVNPT certified to work. To get the Psychiatric Technician license it′s required to pass a licensing examination after completing a State-approved Psychiatric Technician program. Students will be eligible to take the licensure examination to become certified after completion of the program since Psychiatric Technician program at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is approved by BVNPT.

There is no national licensure examination for PTs. The BVNPT Board develops and administers a year-round computer-administered examination to approximately 1,000 applicants annually at 24 test centers. When a PT applicant is approved, a Notice of Eligibility and Candidate Handbook is mailed. The applicant is responsible for calling the toll-free number to schedule an appointment to test.

Typical salary range of a Licensed Psychiatric Technicians:
$15 - $27 Per Hour
$30,720 - $51,840 Per Year
(Based on BVNPT.CA.GOV )

There is a shortage of trained and experienced psych techs in California, with constant demand in the public sector. Most jobs are concentrated near state hospitals, but there are many other jobs available within the prison systems, private mental health care facilities and also hospitals are recognizing the use of Psychiatric Technicians on mental health units.
Usually Licensed Psychiatric Technicians are employed by:
* State Hospitals
* Day Treatment Centers
* Developmental Centers
* Correctional Facilities
* Psychiatric Hospitals & Clinics
* Psychiatric Technician Programs
* Geropsychiatric Centers
* Residential Care Facilities
* Vocational Training Centers