Psychiatric Technology AS

The Psychiatric Technology Associate of Science Degree at Porterville College prepares students to provide safe, ethical, culturally responsive, and compassionate care to individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and behavioral health needs. The program reflects the mission of Porterville College by supporting student success, workforce preparation, and lifelong learning in the behavioral‑health professions. The program is grounded in the philosophy that psychiatric technicians play a vital role in promoting recovery, safety, and well‑being across diverse healthcare, forensic, behavioral, and educational settings. Instruction integrates nursing science, psychiatric and mental‑health concepts, and developmental‑disability care with a strong academic foundation in the social and behavioral sciences. Guided by input from the program’s Advisory Committee, the curriculum remains aligned with current workforce needs and professional standards. Completion of the Psychiatric Technician Certificate of Achievement and required general‑education coursework qualifies students to earn the Associate of Science degree and prepares graduates to take the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT)licensing examination. Although the A.S. degree is not a transfer major, it provides students with enhanced academic skills, broader career mobility, and a strong foundation for continued study in related fields such as psychology, human services, or nursing. Licensure Disclosure: The BVNPT is mandated to protect the public by ensuring that licensed psychiatric technicians practice safely, competently, and ethically. The Board may deny licensure to applicants with convictions or acts substantially related to professional duties. Passing the licensure examination does not guarantee licensure; the Board evaluates official records and supporting documentation in accordance with Business and Professions Code §480. Career Opportunities: Psychiatric technicians are in high demand throughout Tulare County and the State of California. Employment opportunities exist in state hospitals, developmental centers, county behavioral‑health departments, forensic treatment programs, residential facilities, and community‑based mental‑health agencies. Statewide labor‑market data indicate strong and growing employment prospects for licensed psychiatric technicians. Enrollment Eligibility: To be eligible for the Psychiatric Technology A.S. Degree, students must:

Complete a BVNPT‑approved Psychiatric Technician Certificate of Achievement.

Earn a grade of C or better in all program courses and prerequisites.

Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA.

Enrollment Process: Admission to the Psychiatric Technician Program is based on:

Submission of a pre‑enrollment application by posted deadlines.

A random selection process from among qualified applicants, subject to space availability.

Reapplication each semester; no waiting list is maintained. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

Conditions of Enrollment: Students admitted to the program must complete, at their own expense:

Physical examination and required immunizations

Tuberculosis clearance

Drug screening and background check

Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support Provider Certification. Students are responsible for uniforms, equipment, laboratory fees, and transportation to off‑campus clinical sites. Clinical schedules may include mornings, afternoons, evenings, or weekends.

Program Progression: A grade of C or better is required in each psychiatric‑technician course to progress in the program and qualify for the A.S. degree. Program Approval: The Porterville College Psychiatric Technician Program is approved by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians.

Porterville College will continue to admit 30 psychiatric technician students each semester into the first semester of the PC Psychiatric Technician Program. Projected Average Annual Psychiatric Technology AS Degree Completers - 20

The Porterville College Psychiatric Technology Associate of Science Degree Program endorses the mission of Porterville College, which is: “With students as our focus, Porterville College provides our local and diverse communities quality education that promotes intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and lifelong learning, while preparing students for vocational and academic success." The Porterville College Psychiatric Technology AS Degree Program adheres to this mission of Porterville College when offering the Associate Degree in Psychiatric Technology. The expressed philosophy of the Porterville College Psychiatric Technician Program is that psychiatric technicians play a vital role in caring for individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and behavioral health needs. The education provided in this degree aims to prepare students to deliver safe, ethical, compassionate, and competent care in the current healthcare environment. The psychiatric technician program stays aligned with the workforce needs by preparing students to practice psychiatric technology in diverse healthcare, forensic, behavioral, and educational settings, guided by feedback from the community through its Advisory Committee. Upon completion of the psychiatric technician program, the graduate is qualified to take the Board of Vocational Nurses and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) licensing examination. In alignment with the mission of Porterville College, the Porterville College Psychiatric Technology Program also provides a solid base for continued lifelong learning as a mental health professional. Although the Psychiatric Technician AS Degree program is not considered a Transfer Program, the degree can prepare graduates with additional college-level academic skills on top of the technical training received in the psychiatric technician program. The Porterville College Psychiatric Technology AS Degree Program will focus on a broader academic foundation, stronger career mobility, and better long-term opportunities by combining general education (GE) and social and behavioral science coursework with the technical foundation of nursing science, psychiatric mental health, and developmental disabilities.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. Provide safe, therapeutic, client-centered nursing care to diverse clients across the lifespan utilizing evidence-based practice in a variety of healthcare settings.

2. Exercise clinical judgment to make client-centered care decisions.

3. Participate in quality improvement processes to improve client care outcomes.

4. Participate in teamwork and collaboration with members of the interdisciplinary team, the client, and the client’s support persons.

5. Use information management systems and client care technology to communicate and support safe client care.

6. Incorporate professionalism, leadership, management, legal, and ethical principles to guide practice as a Psychiatric Technician.

Item 1. Goals and Objectives

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. Provide safe, therapeutic, client-centered nursing care to diverse clients across the lifespan utilizing evidence-based practice in a variety of healthcare settings.

2. Exercise clinical judgment to make client-centered care decisions.

3. Participate in quality improvement processes to improve client care outcomes.

4. Participate in teamwork and collaboration with members of the interdisciplinary team, the client, and the client’s support persons.

5. Use information management systems and client care technology to communicate and support safe client care.

6. Incorporate professionalism, leadership, management, legal, and ethical principles to guide practice as a Psychiatric Technician.

Item 2. Catalog Description

The Psychiatric Technology Associate of Science Degree at Porterville College prepares students to provide safe, ethical, culturally responsive, and compassionate care to individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and behavioral health needs. The program reflects the mission of Porterville College by supporting student success, workforce preparation, and lifelong learning in the behavioral-health professions.

The program is grounded in the philosophy that psychiatric technicians play a vital role in promoting recovery, safety, and well‑being across diverse healthcare, forensic, behavioral, and educational settings. Instruction integrates nursing science, psychiatric and mental-health concepts, and developmental‑disability care with a strong academic foundation in the social and behavioral sciences. Guided by input from the program’s Advisory Committee, the curriculum remains aligned with current workforce needs and professional standards.

Completion of the Psychiatric Technician Certificate of Achievement and required general‑education coursework qualifies students to earn the Associate of Science degree and prepares graduates to take the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT)licensing examination. Although the A.S. degree is not a transfer major, it provides students with enhanced academic skills, broader career mobility, and a strong foundation for continued study in related fields such as psychology, human services, or nursing.

Licensure Disclosure - The BVNPT is mandated to protect the public by ensuring that licensed psychiatric technicians practice safely, competently, and ethically. The Board may deny licensure to applicants with convictions or acts substantially related to professional duties. Passing the licensure examination does not guarantee licensure; the Board evaluates official records and supporting documentation in accordance with Business and Professions Code §480.

Career Opportunities - Psychiatric technicians are in high demand throughout Tulare County and the State of California. Employment opportunities exist in state hospitals, developmental centers, county behavioral‑health departments, forensic treatment programs, residential facilities, and community-based mental‑health agencies. Statewide labor‑market data indicate strong and growing employment prospects for licensed psychiatric technicians.

Enrollment Eligibility - To be eligible for the Psychiatric Technology A.S. Degree, students must: Complete a BVNPT‑approved Psychiatric Technician Certificate of Achievement. Earn a grade of C or better in all program courses and prerequisites. Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA

Enrollment Process - Admission to the Psychiatric Technician Program is based on: Submission of a pre‑enrollment application by posted deadlines. A random selection process from among qualified applicants, subject to space availability. Reapplication each semester; no waiting list is maintained. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

Conditions of Enrollment - Students admitted to the program must complete, at their own expense: Physical examination and required immunizations. Tuberculosis clearance. Drug screening and background check. Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support Provider certification. Students are responsible for uniforms, equipment, laboratory fees, and transportation to off‑campus clinical sites. Clinical schedules may include mornings, afternoons, evenings, or weekends.

Program Progression - A grade of C or better is required in each psychiatric‑technician course to progress in the program and qualify for the A.S. degree.

Program Approval - The Porterville College Psychiatric Technician Program is approved by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians.

Item 3. Program Requirements

Prerequisite Courses - PTVN P009 – Nursing Fundamental Concepts (2 units). ANAT P052 / BIOL P052 – Anatomy and Physiology OR HCRS P008-Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology for Health Careers (2 units).

Degree Requirements

Group I – Psychiatric Technician Certificate of Achievement (48.5 units)

PSYT P001 – Nursing Science Concepts (14.5 units)

PSYT P002 – Theories and Concepts of Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing (17.5 units)

PSYT P003 – Concepts of Nursing Care of the Client with Developmental Disabilities (16.5 units)

Group II – Social and Behavioral Sciences (minimum 3 units):

PSYC C1000 – Introduction to Psychology (3 units)

PSYC P110 – Abnormal Psychology (3 units)

PSYC P133 – Psychology of Personal and Social Adjustment (3 units)

PSYC P223 – Child Psychology (3 units)

SOCI P170 – Community and Social Psychology (3 units)

General Education Requirements

Students must complete one of the following GE patterns:

1. Porterville College General Education Pattern

2. CalGETC Pattern

Upon successful completion of all major requirements, general‑education requirements, and a minimum grade of C in in all required courses, students will be awarded the Associate of Science in Psychiatric Technology.

Item 4. Master Planning

Porterville College’s Master Plan identifies workforce development, career technical education, collaboration with community agencies, equity and access, and program expansion in high‑demand fields as core institutional priorities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, health career jobs are among the fastest growing in the country (www.bls.gov (http://www.bls.gov/)).

The Porterville Developmental Center and other smaller healthcare institutions are currently able to handle the existing psychiatric technician clinical rotations. The College is committed to supporting safe patient care and will not increase enrollment above its current capacity with local healthcare facilities. Adding the Psychiatric Technology AS Degree will not negatively impact clinical capacity.

Item 5. Enrollment and Completer Projections

Porterville College will continue to admit 30 psychiatric technician students each semester into first semester of the PC Psychiatric Technician Program. Projected Average Annual Psychiatric Technology AS Degree Completers - 20

Item 6. Place of Program in Curriculum/Similar Programs

The Porterville College Health Careers Division currently offers a Psychiatric Technician Program, Registered Nursing program, and Emergency Medical Technician Basic program. Psychiatric Technology education meets the mission and philosophy of Porterville College by being responsive to the needs of our community. The College works closely with the local health care industry to provide psychiatric technician education to meet the needs of the community in providing psychiatric mental health care and filling job vacancies.

Item 7. Similar Programs at Other Colleges in Service Area

There are currently no other similar programs in the Porterville College Service Area. The closest school offering an AS degree in Psychiatric Technology would be Coalinga College (Fresno County). Other schools in the state of California that offer Psychiatric Technology AS Degrees are: Napa Valley College (Napa County), San Joaquin Delta (San Joaquin County), Cuesta College (San Luis Obispo County), Cypress College (Orange County), Mt San Antonio College (Los Angeles County), San Bernardino College (San Bernardino County).