Psychiatric Technician Certificate

Psychiatric Technology includes the study of the developmentally disabled, the mentally ill and basic nursing skills. Courses included are: Fundamentals of Nursing, Medical/Surgical Nursing, Growth and Development, Communications, Developmental Disabilities and Psychiatric Nursing.

This is a three semester certificate program with classes beginning each semester. The program includes classes on the college campus plus clinical training at Porterville Developmental Center, local mental health clinics, and other approved facilities. Individuals who successfully complete this program are eligible to take the examination to become a Licensed Psychiatric Technician.

Only students who have the prerequisites and have met all admission requirements will be considered for the program.

To be considered for the Psychiatric Technician program you must:

1. Return completed application.
2. Porterville College assessment tests (recommended).
3. English P050, Math P065 with a grade of ?C? or higher or have equivalent scores on the assessment tests (recommended).
4. Complete program prerequisites with a grade of ?C? or higher. (These classes must be taken within five years of starting the PT program.) They are:
   a.  PTVN P009, Nursing Fundamental Concepts
   b.  Anatomy P052
5. Submit with application
   a.  One copy of high school transcript to Health Careers.
   b.  If you have not completed the 12th grade in high school but have a high school proficiency or GED instead, send a copy of it to Health Careers.
   c.  One copy of transcripts from any college attended to Health Careers.
   d.  One copy of transcripts from any other college attended to the Registrar.
   e.  If you have any paid or volunteer experience in the health fields include a letter of verification of length of time.
6. It is the applicant?s responsibility to see that all the  above are on file in the Health Careers Office.

First Semester

PTVN P010A - Fundamentals of Nursing	4 credits
PTVN P010B - Intro. to Medical/Surgical Nursing	5 credits
PTVN P010C - Life Span Development	2 credits
PTVN P010D - Clinical Practice	6 credits

Second Semester

PSYT P020A - Developmental Disabilities	2.5 credits
PSYT P020B - Understanding/Promoting Personal Development	2 credits
PSYT P020C - Principles/Practices of Behavioral Support	2 credits
PSYT P020D - Pharmacology: Concepts and Practices	1.5 credit
PSYT P020E - Therapeutics of Communication and Relationships	2 credits
PSYT P020F - Clinical Practice	6 credits

Third Semester

PSYT P030A -Psychiatric Nursing Practice: Responsibilities and Approaches	1.5 credits
PSYT P030B - Psychopathology I - Major Mental Illness	2 credits
PSYT P030C - Crisis Assessment and Intervention	1.5 credits
PSYT P030D - Psychopathology II - Disorders of Children, Elderly, Personality and Addiction	2.5 credits
PSYT P030E - Therapeutic Methods	2 credits
PSYT P030F - Clinical Practice	6 credits

All courses in each semester must be completed satisfactorily with a grade of ?C? or higher before student may be enrolled in the next semester.