Psychiatric Technology Certificate of Achievement

Program Description

Students working for certificates must have a basic knowledge of arithmetic, reading and writing in order to learn and work in the occupations they select. This certificate is designed to prepare students for employment as a Psychiatric Technician, providing care and participating in the treatment of mentally and developmentally disabled clients. Learning activities are conducted on the college campus and a variety of community agencies.

The curriculum prepares students to take the California Psychiatric Technician license examination. The Psychiatric Technology program is accredited by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians.

Students must complete program prerequisites, apply and be accepted into the Psychiatric Technology program. To enroll in the program, students must pass a background check and meet health requirements. The California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians may deny a license based on any conviction or action substantially related to Psychiatric Technician practice.

The pathway below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program.  Individual circumstances might require some changes to this pathway.  It is always recommended that you meet with an academic counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.

Division

Science

Department

Psychiatric Technology

Career and Academic Pathway (CAP)

Health, Wellness, Athletics

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Use an online simulated Psychiatric Technology State Board Certification examination (BVNPT) to prepare for the BVNPT licensure exam.

  2. Safe and timely administration of medication, including injections.

  3. Calculate pharmacological dosages with 100% accuracy.

  4. Apply therapeutic communication when interacting with patients.

  5. Utilize case studies to make informed decisions about patient care.

Program Map

GE General Education
O Available Online
Program Requirement
P Program Prerequisites

1st Semester

15-19 units
Mathematics (1 course)
This course is an introduction to probability, descriptive and inferential statistics, with applications to the natural sciences, life science, health science, education, business, economics, and the behavioral sciences.

Course Details:

  1. Transfers to CSU
    2. This course is a study of statistical methods commonly used in business and economics including measures of central tendency; measures of dispersion and skewness; probability concepts and distributions; statistical inferences; parametric and non-parametric hypothesis testing; index numbers time series analysis; simple regression, and correlation analysis.

    Course Details:

    1. Transfers to CSU
      2. This class focuses on statistics as applied to the social sciences and includes such topics as measurement, frequency distributions, measures of central tendency, measures of variability, the normal distribution curve, correlation, sampling, statistical inference, hypothesis testing and an introduction to analysis of variance.

      Course Details:

      1. Departmental Advisory: PSYCH 100
        2. or
      2. Departmental Advisory: PSYCH 100H
    2. Transfers to CSU
      3. ENGL 101 or ENGL 101H
      This is a writing course emphasizing expository and argumentative essays, which helps students develop writing skills necessary for other degree applicable courses. It includes reading and analysis of various forms of writing, instruction in library research and preparation of documented research papers.

      Course Details:

      1. Prerequisite: Eligibility for ENGL 101 or ENGL 101H as determined by the SBVC assessment process.
      2. Corequisite: Students who require supplemental support to succeed in ENGL 101 may be required to take ENGL 086 or ENGL 087 depending on assessment.
    3. Transfers to CSU
      4. OR

      This is a writing course which emphasizes expository and argumentative essays, which helps students develop writing skills necessary for other degree applicable courses. It includes reading and analysis of various forms of writing, instruction in library research and preparation of documented research papers. This course is intended for students in the Honors Program, but is open to all students who desire more challenging course work.

      Course Details:

      1. Prerequisite: Eligibility for ENGL 101 or ENGL 101H as determined by the SBVC assessment process.
    4. Transfers to CSU
      5. Biology (1 course sequence)
      This course is a one semester introduction to human anatomy and physiology. The course is intended to meet the prerequisite for students entering the Psychiatric Technician program or other professional programs that accept a lecture/lab course in human anatomy and physiology.

      Course Details:

      1. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101
      OR
      This is the first semester of a two-semester sequence that introduces students to the basic concepts and principles of human anatomy and physiology. This course provides a foundation for pre-allied professional majors or others interested in the advanced study of human biology. Topics include inorganic and organic chemistry, body orientation and organization, cytology, histology, fluid and electrolyte balances, and the following systems: nervous, skeletal, muscular, nervous, digestive system, and metabolism. Course includes dissections of preserved specimens.

      Course Details:

      1. Departmental Advisory: BIOL 100
        2. and
      2. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101
        3. or
      3. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101H
    5. Transfers to CSU
      6. AND
      This is the second semester of a two-semester sequence that introduces students to the basic concepts and principles of human anatomy and physiology. This course provides a foundation for pre-professional majors or others interested in the advanced study of human biology. Topics include fluid and electrolyte balance and the following body system: integumentary, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, urinary, endocrine, and reproductive. The course includes dissections of preserved specimens. 

      Course Details:

      1. Prerequisite: BIOL 250
      2. Departmental Advisory: BIOL 100
        3. and
      3. Departmental Advisory: CHEM 101
        4. or
      4. Departmental Advisory: CHEM 105
    6. Transfers to CSU
      7. OR
      This is a comprehensive lecture/laboratory course in human anatomy. It is organized to explore the body both regionally and systemically. The course studies gross anatomy with an extensive dissection of the cat and other significant organs.  Relevant comparisons to human systems and structures are emphasized in the laboratory portion of the course. Histological and cellular anatomy are included as they apply to various structures and systems.

      Course Details:

      1. Departmental Advisory: BIOL 155
    7. Transfers to CSU
      8. AND
      This course is the second semester of a two-semester sequence.  It builds on an understanding of structure to explain the dynamic functions of the human body to a cellular level.  Topics include physiology of the following systems:  muscular, skeletal, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive.  Homeostatic mechanisms and the interrelationships of body organ systems are emphasized and enhanced with clinical illustrations.

      Course Details:

      1. Prerequisite: BIOL 260
        2. and
      2. Prerequisite: CHEM 105
        3. or
      3. Prerequisite: CHEM 101
      4. Departmental Advisory: BIOL 100
    8. Transfers to CSU
      9. PSYCH 100 or PSYCH 100H
      This course surveys the nature and scope of psychology as a science. The content focuses on the exploration of psychological theories, concepts, methods, and research findings in psychology. Topics include psychology research design, biological bases of behavior, perception, consciousness, cognition, learning, development, memory, personality, psychological disorders and therapeutic approaches, emotion, motivation, social psychology, and applied psychology.  

      Course Details:

      1. Departmental Advisory: READ 015
    9. Transfers to CSU
      10. OR
      This course surveys the nature and scope of psychology as a science. The content focuses on the exploration of psychological theories, concepts, methods, and research findings in psychology. Topics include psychology research design, biological bases of behavior, perception, consciousness, cognition, learning, development, memory, personality, psychological disorders and therapeutic approaches, emotion, motivation, social psychology, and applied psychology.This course is intended for students in the Honors Program but is open to all students who desire more challenging course work.

      Course Details:

      1. Departmental Advisory: READ 015
      2. Departmental Advisory: ENGL 101
    10. Transfers to CSU

      11. 2nd Semester

      17 units
      PSYTCH 084
      Introduction to Psychiatric Technology

      This course is an introduction to psychiatric technology. It emphasizes basic therapeutic communication, pharmacology, growth and development, developmental disabilities, behavior modification, nutrition, and nursing care, including application of basic nursing skills to the care of clients with developmental disabilities.

      Course Details:

        3rd Semester

        12 units
        PSYTCH 085
        Psychiatric Technology: Nursing Science

        This course is the study of basic nursing science concepts and skills with emphasis on nursing care for pediatric, adult and geriatric clients with medical and surgical disorders. Application of theory to the care of physically ill clients in acute and long-term care agencies.

        Course Details:

        1. Prerequisite: PSYTCH 084

        4th Semester

        17 units
        PSYTCH 086
        Introduction to Psychiatric Technology: Behavioral Science

        This course is a study of psychiatric mental disorders with emphasis on causes, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, interventions and treatments. Included is the application of mental health theory to the basic nursing care of clients in acute, long-term care, and state mental health institutional settings.

        Course Details:

        1. Prerequisite: PSYTCH 084