Psychiatric Technology

PsychiatricTechnology includes the study of nursing science, developmentally disabilities,and the mentally ill. Courses include Anatomy and Physiology, FundamentalConcepts, Nursing Science, Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing, and NursingCare of the Client with Developmental Disabilities. This is a three semestercertificate program. The program includes classes on the college campus plusclinical training at developmental centers, behavioral health centers, andother approved facilities. Upon completion of the program the graduate isqualified to take the California Psychiatric Technician Licensing Examination.

MISSION

The Porterville College Psychiatric Technology Certificateof Achievement endorses the mission of Porterville college which is: "Withstudents as our focus, Porterville College provides our local and diversecommunities quality education that promotes intellectual curiosity, personalgrowth, and lifelong learning, while preparing student for vocational andacademic success."

The Porterville College Psychiatric Technology programadheres to this mission when offering the Psychiatric Technology Certificate ofAchievement. The mission of the Psychiatric Technician Program is to provide aninnovative, student-centered educational program that prepares diverse studentsas candidates to become Psychiatric Technicians to provide safe, quality,evidence-based care in the current healthcare environment. The program ismarket-conscious as it prepares students to practice as a PsychiatricTechnician in a variety of healthcare environments with input from thecommunity represented through the program's Advisory Committee.

In alignment with the mission of Porterville College,the psychiatric technician program provides a solid base for continued lifelonglearning as a Psychiatric Technician. Although the Psychiatric Technicianprogram is not a degree program, the psychiatric technician graduates areprepared with the necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies to continuetheir education.

This is a three semester certificate program. Theprogram includes classes on the college campus, the developmental center,mental health, behavioral health and other approved clinical facilities.

NOTE:The California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT)shall issue a psychiatric technicians’ license to each applicant who qualifiesand successfully passes the licensing examination. An applicant for apsychiatric technician’s license shall have the following qualifications (a) Beat least 18 years of age, (b) have successfully completed an approved generaleducation course of study and training through the 12th grade or theequivalent, (c) have successfully completed a prescribed course of study andtraining in a school approved by the board. Psychiatric Technician Law Businessand Professions Code, Division 2, Chapter 10, Article 2.

NOTE: The BVNPT protects the public by screeningapplicants for licensure in order to identify potentially unsafe practitioners.The law provides for denial of licensure for crimes or acts, which if committedby a licensed psychiatric technician, would be grounds for disciplinary action.Conviction of any offenses other than minor traffic violations must be reportedto the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians at the time ofapplication for licensure. Psychiatric Technician Law Business and ProfessionsCode, Division 2, Chapter 10, section 4511 and Business and Professions CodeDivision 2, Chapter 10, Article 3. For clarification contact the PsychiatricTechnician Program Director or the Board of Vocational Nursing and PsychiatricTechnicians, 2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 205, Sacramento, CA 95833, (916)263-7800.

CareerOpportunities

Employmentin the field for licensed psychiatric technician is good both locally andregionally. The licensed psychiatric technician enjoys a well-compensated,rewarding, highly flexible career, which should continue in the future.

PROGRAMLEARNING OUTCOMES

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Provide safe, therapeutic, client-centerednursing care to diverse clients across the lifespan utilizing evidence basedpractice in a variety of healthcare settings.

2. Exercise clinical judgment to makeclient-centered care decisions.

3. Participatein quality improvement processes to improve client care outcomes.

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

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

6. Incorporateprofessionalism, leadership, management, legal, and ethical principles to guidepractice as a Psychiatric Technician.

ENROLLMENT ELIGIBILITY

Tobe eligible for enrollment in the program, the student must meet the followingcriteria:

• Graduation from an accredited high school, or successful completion of General Education Development (GED) or California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE).
• Possession of a current clear and active California Vocational Nurse (LVN) license at the time of application and throughout program completion.
• Completion of the prerequisites within the previous five years with a grade of “C” or better in the following prerequisites
• ANAT P052 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology OR HCRS P008 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology for Health Careers, 2 units at Porterville College or equivalent 2 unit semester Anatomy and Physiology course at another accredited college or BVNPT approved Psychiatric Technician or Vocational Nursing program.
• HCRS P009 Health Careers Fundamental Concepts, 2 units at Porterville College or equivalent 2 unit semester Fundamental Concepts course at another accredited college or BVNPT approved Psychiatric Technician or Vocational Nursing program.

ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Eligiblestudents are selected for the program according to the following steps:

• Pre-enrollment applications and deadlines for the Psychiatric Technician program are available from the Health Careers Division or program website.

• Selection is based on a random selection process from among the qualified applicants and is subject to space availability. Students must reapply each semester. There is no waiting list.
• Only students who meet the educational and prerequisite requirements and follow the pre-enrollment procedures will be considered for the program. Meeting all these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

NOTE: As a condition ofenrollment into the psychiatric technician program, the student is required tohave a physical examination, inoculations, tuberculosis clearance, drug screen,background check, and current BLS card (at the student’s expense).

NOTE: The student isresponsible for providing uniforms, laboratory fees, necessary equipment andtransportation to off-campus laboratory locations. There are morning,afternoon, evening, and weekend clinical experiences that may change withlimited notice.

PROGRAMAPPROVAL

The Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians approvesthe Porterville College Psychiatric Technician program.

PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATE OF AchievementCURRICULUM

1stSemester

• PSYTNursing Science Concepts

2ndSemester

• Theoriesand Concepts of Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing

3rd Semester

• Conceptsof Nursing Care of the Client with Developmental Disabilities

POLICY FOR GRANTING CREDIT FOR PREVIOUS EDUCAITONAND/OR EXPERIENCE

The Porterville College Psychiatric Technician Program hasestablished criteria for past education and experience within the last fiveyears. The amount of credit granted will not exceed two thirds (2/3) of thetotal program hours. All requests for credit for previous education and/orexperience will be initiated by the applicant/student, not by PortervilleCollege or its employees.

Transfer credit shall be given for related previouseducation completed within the last five years. This includes the followingcourses:

• Approved vocational orpractical nursing courses.

• Approved registerednursing courses.

• Approved psychiatrictechnician courses.

• Armed services nursingcourses.

• Certified nurseassistant courses.

• Other courses theschool determines equivalent to courses in the program.

Competency-based credit shall be granted for knowledgeand/or skill acquired through experience. Credit shall be determined by writtenand/or practical examination. (Psychiatric Technician Law Business andProfessions Code Section 2581.1).

request for credit granting

• The student shallrequest credit granting and submit official transcripts or other documentsverifying course content and supervised theory and clinical hours.

• All requests forgranting credit for education or experience and official documents must besubmitted to the Program Director with the pre-enrollment application.

Process for Granting Credit forPrevious Education:

• Transcripts and otherdocumentation of course content and evidence of hours satisfactorily completedwill be reviewed by the Program Director.

• The number of credithours granted and the nature of credit granted will be recorded, signed by theProgram Director, and maintained in the student file.

PROCESS FOR GRANTING CREDIT FOR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:

• Documents will bereviewed for equivalent experience, content, and hours by the Program Director.

• Assessment ofknowledge will be conducted by a program instructor who is a content expert inthe specific experience area. The assessment may include written and/orpractical examinations.

• The number of credithours granted and the nature of credit granted will be recorded, signed by theProgram Director and program instructor, and maintained in the student file.

Porterville College will continue to admit 30 psych tech students twoout of every three semesters.  Projected Average Annual Psych Tech Completers - 20

The Porterville College Psychiatric Technology Certificate of Achievement endorses the mission of Porterville college which is: "Withs tudents as our focus, Porterville College provides our local and diversecommunities quality education that promotes intellectual curiosity, personalgrowth, and lifelong learning, while preparing student for vocational andacademic success."

The Porterville College Psychiatric Technology programadheres to this mission when offering the Psychiatric Technology Certificate ofAchievement. The mission of the Psychiatric Technician Program is to provide aninnovative, student-centered educational program that prepares diverse studentsas candidates to become Psychiatric Technicians to provide safe, quality,evidence-based care in the current healthcare environment. The program ismarket-conscious as it prepares students to practice as a PsychiatricTechnician in a variety of healthcare environments with input from thecommunity represented through the program's Advisory Committee. Upon completionof the program the graduate is qualified to take the California PsychiatricTechnician Licensing Examination.

In alignment with the mission of Porterville College,the psychiatric technician program provides a solid base for continued lifelonglearning as a Psychiatric Technician. Although the Psychiatric Technicianprogram is not a degree program, the psychiatric technician graduates areprepared with the necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies to continuetheir education.

Employmentin the field for licensed psychiatric technician is good both locally andregionally. The licensed psychiatric technician enjoys a well-compensated,rewarding, highly flexible career, which should continue in the future.

PertinentStatutes & Regulations

Porterville College hasan established Psychiatric Technology program and meets the required curriculumfrom the California Business and Professions Code, Division 25, Chapter 2Psychiatric Technician, Article 5.

Entry Criteria and Selection Process

Referto enrollment eligibility and enrollment process unit Item 2 CatalogDescription section.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Provide safe, therapeutic, client-centerednursing care to diverse clients across the lifespan utilizing evidence basedpractice in a variety of healthcare settings.

2. Exercise clinical judgment to makeclient-centered care decisions.

3. Participatein quality improvement processes to improve client care outcomes.

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

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

6. Incorporateprofessionalism, leadership, management, legal, and ethical principles to guidepractice as a Psychiatric Technician.

Display of Program Requirements

Display of Program Requirements

Display of Proposed Sequence