PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN PROGRAM INFORMATION PACKET The Psychiatric Technician Program at West Hills College Coalinga is a marvelous career opportunity. It could be the beginning of a life-long career in health care. This course trains candidates by combining theory and clinical experience in order to prepare them to take the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technician state board examination to become a Licensed Psychiatric Technician. NEXT CLASS BEGINS: JANUARY 2014 APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BEGINNING: SEPTEMBER 1, 2013 DEADLINE TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS: NOVEMBER 29, 2013 (NOON) APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED PAST THE DEADLINE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: Must be 18 years of age or older at time of registration Must be a registered student at West Hills College Copy of Driver s License or California I.D. Card Copy of Social Security Card Copy of High School Diploma or GED Official Transcripts for Pre-Requisite Coursework o Math 101 or Psy Tec 90 (3 units or more C or better) o English 51A or 51B (3 units or more C or better) **IF YOU DON T HAVE THE REQUIRED PRE-REQUISITE COURSEWORK COMPLETED, YOU CAN TAKE A PLACEMENT TEST AND MUST PLACE INTO THE FOLLOWING CLASSES TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE PROGRAM: o Math 61 o English 1A Call the West Hills College Coalinga Health Careers Office at 559-934-2760 for more information. Applications can be obtained at the Health Careers office or by logging onto www.westhillscollege.com/coalinga/academics/programs/health_careers. Page 1 of 5
PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS You must be 18 years old or older at time of Application Submission You must be a registered student at West Hill Community College prior to applying for the Psychiatric Technician Program You must submit an application packet with complete information and supporting documentation Copy of Current Driver s License or CA I.D. Card Copy of Social Security Card Copy of High School Diploma or GED College transcripts will only count for proof of high school graduation, if the transcript states the date you received your diploma, as well as the school you obtained the diploma from. One official Transcript from all colleges attended that list your pre-requisite coursework with grades posted. (Courses listed are West Hills Courses and must have been passed with a C or better Transcripts should be sent to you and remain sealed to be included with your application packet. Please allow plenty of time for them to be sent to you. Packets must be in the Health Careers Office on the dead line date (November 1, 2013 no later than Noon) regardless of postdates or special postal delivery. Foreign transcripts of High School and College must be evaluated to meet pre-requisites and submitted with your application packet. English taken in a foreign country will not satisfy the prerequisites required. You can obtain an evaluation from: The Institute for International Credential Evaluation CSU Fresno 559-278-7622 www.fresnostate.edu/studentaffairs/issp/iice/ Please allow plenty of time to receive your records. Placement Test Scores (in lieu of required coursework) Veteran Status Eligibility (if applicable) Copy of DD214 (honorable discharge) required Individuals who served in the active military, naval or air service, who were discharged or released from service under conditions other than dishonorable must submit relevant documentation in order to receive priority registration. PRE-REQUISITES - You must have completed with a C or better and have transcripts to submit for the following courses: MATH 101 (WHC 3 units) or PT 90 (WHC 1.5 units) English 51A (WHC 3 units) PLACEMENT TEST - If you have not acquired the pre-requisites you can submit Placement Test Scores. You must have placed into: Math 61 or 63 English 1A or 51B PLEASE BE SURE THAT YOU HAVE ALL RECORDS READY TO BE SUBMITTED. APPLICATION PACKETS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED WITH MISSING DOCUMENTS OR INFORMATION. Page 2 of 5
TYPICAL TASKS Maintain order and supervise the conduct of patients Help to maintain a clean and healing environment and assist patients with personal cleanliness Encourage patients to develop work skills and social relationships and to participate in recreational activities Observe and influence patient behavior Teach, counsel and write reports describing physical and emotional symptoms Provide routine and emergency nursing care Maintain the safety of persons and property Establish effective therapeutic relationships with patients Maintain patient-staff boundaries Recognize symptoms requiring medical or psychiatric attention Provide individual and group therapy Work with the treatment team to provide occupational, recreational, vocational and educational therapy for patients Think and act quickly in an emergency Develop clear and concise reports of incidents Analyze situations accurately and take effective action Administer medications and treatments Assist in the physical containment of assaultive patients Supervise patient work crews Observe and document on patients with special precautions, such as suicide or self-harm Assist the unit physician with sick call Page 3 of 5
PHYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN COURSE CONTENT PSYTEC 12 (Nursing Science) Basic Human Needs Vital Signs Standard Precautions Communicable Disease, including HIV Asepsis, Isolation Medication Administration Documentation Daily Care Skills Skill Competencies Related to Specific Illnesses Introduction to Disease Process Care of the Geriatric Patient Care of the Dying Patient: Hospice Care of the Cancer Patient Care of the Surgical Patient Care of the Child Therapeutic Relationships, Communication Skills Basic Nutritional Needs Anatomy and Physiology & Common Disorders & Nursing Care: Circulatory System Muscular/Skeletal Urinary System Endocrine System Integumentary System Nervous System Gastrointestinal System Reproductive System Pharmacology PSYTEC 16 (Developmentally Disabled) Introduction to Intellectual Disabilities Psychosocial Aspects of Disability History & Legislation Growth & Development Community Resources Trends in Care Behavior Modification Sensory Motor Development Cerebral Palsy Epilepsy Anticonvulsant Medication Nutrition and the Developmentally Disabilities Definitions & Classifications of Intellectual Disability Genetics Etiologies: Pre & Postnatal Causes of Intellectual Disability Chromosomal Anomalies Gestational Anomalies Infections Intoxication s Trauma Metabolic Nutritional Endocrine Gross Brain Environmental Communication Critical Thinking Cultural Diversity Pharmacology PSYTEC 14 (Psychiatric Nursing) Mental Health Nursing Process Clinical Documentation Interpersonal Relationships Communications Assertive Training Interviewing, Videotaping 1:1 Therapy Group Dynamics Community Mental Health Patient Rights Theory of Personality Development Cultural Diversity Adaptive Mechanisms Defense Mechanisms DSM Classifications Vocabulary Institutionalization Therapeutic Modalities Affective Disorders Anxiety Disorders Personality Disorders Addictive Behaviors Eating Disorders Psychosexual Disorders Human Sexuality Forensic Nursing Criminal Personality Burnout Pharmacology Leadership/Supervision Page 4 of 5
PROGRAM COSTS COSTS UPON ACCEPTANCE TO THE PROGRAM Drug Screen and Background Check $65.00 Registration: (In State fees) $46.00/Unit PSYTEC 10 1.5 Units $69.00 PSYTEC 12 18.5 Units (1 st term) $851.00 PSYTEC 14 18.5 Units (2 nd term) $851.00 PSYTEC 16 18.5 Units (3 rd term) $851.00 PSYTEC 91-0.5 Units (Optional) $23.00 Mal-Practice Insurance (Optional) $35.00 Textbooks $900.00 Miscellaneous Supplies (paper, testing supplies etc.) $30 Per Term $90.00 Uniforms (Required to purchase 2 sets - $45.00/set) $90.00 Shoes $75.00 Watch $30.00 Test Kit $80.00 NON-RESIDENCE TUITION FEE: $300.00 + $46.00/unit RESIDENCY = 1 YEAR AND 1 DAY FINAL TERM COMPLETION COSTS State Licensing Exam Application (due prior to end of final term): Application Processing Fee $150.00 FBI Fingerprint Processing Fee $24.00 DOJ Fingerprint Processing Fee $32.00 Agency Fee $25.00 ESTIMATED TOTAL COST: $4,241.00 (Includes Optional Items) FINANCIAL AID Applicants should contact the West Hills Community College Financial Aid Office regarding various sources of educational funding. You can also contact your local One Stop office for possible additional assistance if eligible. o Workforce: (559) 935-7880 (Fresno County) o JTO: (559) 585-3532 (Kings County) o Veterans Employment-Related Assistance Program: (559) 707-3842 Page 5 of 5