PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN PROGRAM
REQUIREMENTS
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You must submit an application packet with complete information and supporting documentation
You must be 18 years old or older at time of Application Submission
Copy of West Hills College I.D. Card or New Registration Confirmation
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 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
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CSU Fresno * 559-278-7622 * www.fresnostate.edu/studentaffairs/issp/iice/
Placement Test Scores (If you have not completed the pre-requisite coursework)
Veteran Status Eligibility – Copy of DD214 r required
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PRE-REQUISITES - You must have completed with a “C” or better and have transcripts to submit for the
following courses:
o MATH 101 (WHC – 3 units)
o English 51A (WHC – 3 units)
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PLACEMENT TESTS - If you have not acquired the pre-requisites you can submit Placement Test Scores.
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You must have placed into:
 Math 61 or 63 (WHC)
 English 1A or 51B (WHC)
PLEASE BE SURE THAT YOU HAVE ALL RECORDS READY TO BE
SUBMITTED. APPLICATION PACKETS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
WITH MISSING DOCUMENTS OR INFORMATION.
Revised: June 25, 2014
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PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN PROGRAM
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
Revised: June 25, 2014
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PHYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN PROGRAM
COURSE CONTENT
SEMESTER 1
(Nursing Science)
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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
Revised: June 25, 2014
SEMESTER 2
(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
SEMESTER 3
(Psychiatric Nursing)
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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
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PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN PROGRAM
PROGRAM COSTS
COSTS UPON ACCEPTANCE TO THE PROGRAM
DESCRIPTION OF CHARGES
Drug Screen and Background Check
Registration: (In State fees) $46.00/Unit (out of state) $346.00/unit
PSYTEC 10 – 1.5 Units
PSYTEC 12 – 18.5 Units (1st term)
PSYTEC 14 – 18.5 Units (2nd term)
PSYTEC 16 – 18.5 Units (3rd term)
PSYTEC 91- 0.5 Units (Optional)
Mal-Practice Insurance (Optional)
Textbooks
Miscellaneous Supplies (paper, testing supplies etc.) $30 Per Term
Uniforms (Required to purchase 2 sets - $45.00/set)
Shoes
Watch
Test Kit
*RESIDENCY FEES
CALIFORNIA
OUT OF STATE
$65.00
$65.00
$69.00
$851.00
$851.00
$851.00
$23.00
$35.00
$900.00
$90.00
$90.00
$75.00
$30.00
$80.00
$519.00
$6,401.00
$6401.00
$6401.00
$23.00
$35.00
$900.00
$90.00
$90.00
$75.00
$30.00
$80.00
$150.00
$24.00
$32.00
$25.00
$4,241.00
$150.00
$24.00
$32.00
$25.00
$21,341.00
COMPLETION COSTS - FINAL TERM
State Licensing Exam Application (due prior to end of final term):
Application Processing Fee
FBI Fingerprint Processing Fee
DOJ Fingerprint Processing Fee
Agency Fee
**TOTAL ESTIMATED PROGRAM COSTS
*RESIDENCY = MUST HAVE LIVED IN CALIFORNIA FOR 1 YEAR AND 1 DAY
**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
Revised: June 25, 2014
Page 4 of 5
PHYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN PROGRAM
FOREIGN DOCUMENTATION GUIDELINES
All foreign educational records (High School Diploma, College Records) must be evaluated by an
official accredited education service. Evaluations must be official, sealed reports including U.S. educational
equivalency for terms, degrees, course listings, and semester credit hours. Most agencies classify this as a
“course by course report”.
TRANSCRIPT EVALUATION AND TRANSLATION SERVICES
American Education Research Corporation
P.O. Box 996
West Covina, CA 91793-0996
(818) 339-4404 Fax: (818) 339-9081
www.aerc-eval.com
The Foreign Educational Document Service
P.O. Box 4091
Stockton, CA 95204
(209) 948-6589 Fax: (209) 937-0717
Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
P.O. Box 514070
Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470
(414) 289-3400 Fax: (414) 289-3411
www.ece.org
International Education Research Foundation, Inc.
Post Office Box 3665
Culver City, CA 90231-3665
(310) 258-9451 Fax: (310) 342-7086
www.ierf.org
World Education Services
Bowling Green Station
P.O. Box 5087
New York, NY 10274-5087
(212) 966-6311 Fax: (212) 739-6100
www.wes.org
Northern California Translators Association (NCTA)
P.O. Box 14015
Berkeley, CA 94712-2015
(510) 845-8712 Fax:(510) 883-1355
ncta@ncta.org
www.ncta.org
Institute for International Credential Evaluation
California State University Fresno
5151 N. Maple Avenue, Room #211
M/S JA 56
Fresno, CA 93740-0056
(559) 278- 7622 Fax: (559) 278-7879
credeval@iicesufresno.net
www.fresnostate.edu/studentaffairs/issp/iice/
Southern California Area Translators and
Interpreters Association
P.O. Box 802696
Santa Clarita, CA 91380-2696
(818) 725-3899 Fax: (818) 340-9177
014116.20@compuserve.com
www.scatia.org
Revised: June 25, 2014
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