San Joaquin Delta College
Psychiatric Technician
Program
Student Information Brochure
August 2006
Psychiatric Technician Certificate Program
The San Joaquin Delta College Psychiatric Technician Program is a concentrated forty-six (46) weeks program. Offered
once a year, classes start in January and end the following December. Individuals accepted into the program are required
to attend classes continuously during spring, summer and fall semesters. The intent is to prepare psychiatric technicians
in a variety of health-care settings, including community-based agencies and clinics. The curriculum will place emphasis
on team building and independent practice towards health promotion and illness prevention within the practice scope of
the psychiatric technician.
The graduate of the Psychiatric Technician Program will be eligible for the state examination for licensure as a psychiatric
technician. In addition, graduates are eligible for advanced standing in the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and
Vocational Nursing (VN) program.
SAN JOAQUIN DELTA COLLEGE
PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN PROGRAM
Curriculum
Prerequisites
A. ONE science course from the following:
BIOL 31
Human Anatomy
OR
** BIOL 33
Anatomy & Physiology
4 units
6 units
B. H S 36
Medical Terminology and Speech
3 units
C. Psych I
Introduction to Psychology
3 units
D. H S 19/FCS 19
Human Development
3 units
13-15 units
PT 80
Foundations of Nursing
8.5 units
PT 81
Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing
8.5 units
17 units
Psychiatric Technician Nursing
8units
8units
PT 83
Advanced Psychiatric Technician Nursing
4.5 units
PT 84
Developmental Disabilities Nursing
6 units
PT 85
Advanced Developmental Disabilities Nursing
5.5 units
16 units
1st Semester (Spring)
2nd Semester (Summer)
PT 82
3rd Semester (Fall)
TOTAL UNITS
** Prerequisites to this course include chemistry and algebra.
54-56
PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN PROGRAM INFORMATION
The Psychiatric Technician Program includes prerequisite and specialized curriculum to meet the requirements for a
certificate in Psychiatric Technician. The program curriculum is presented on Page 1. All prerequisite courses must be
completed at the time of submission of Prerequisite Verification for the program. Psychiatric Technician courses must
be taken in the identified sequence. The program is a demanding 46-week course of study, which requires a full
commitment from the student. Upon completion the graduate possesses the skills and competencies to work in the
role of a licensed Psychiatric Technician. Licensure is granted from the State of California upon successful completion
of the state licensing examination.
I.
PROGRAM PREREQUISITE INFORMATION
A.
The following courses are prerequisites to the psychiatric technician program:
Biology 31 OR Biology 33
HS 36
Psychology 1
HS 19/FCS 19
Biology 33 has prerequisites of algebra and chemistry. One year of high school Algebra with a grade of
“C” or better can meet one requirement. One year of high school chemistry with a lab and a grade of “C”
or better can meet the chemistry requirement. See a counselor regarding credit for high school courses.
Students who plan to transfer to a baccalaureate degree nursing program, should consider taking Biology
31. Biology 31 and Biology 32 (Human Physiology) meet the Delta College ADN program science
prerequisite and should meet science prerequisites at California State University nursing programs. See a
counselor to discuss these options.
II.
B.
All prerequisites must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. In addition, the cumulative
prerequisite GPA must be 2.5 or greater. Section VIII. demonstrates the process for calculating the
prerequisite GPA.
C.
Candidates who have completed prerequisite courses at other US regionally accredited
colleges/universities must submit an official transcript and course descriptions with the prerequisite
verification packet for determination of course equivalency. PLEASE NOTE THAT AN OFFICIAL
TRANSCRIPT MUST BE ATTACHED TO THE PROGRAM PREREQUISITE VERIFICATION. THIS
IS REQUIRED EVEN IF A TRANSCRIPT HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EVALUATIONS
DEPARTMENT. (An official transcript is in a sealed, unopened envelope from the originating
college).
PROGRAM GENERAL INFORMATION
A.
Credit for prior training:
Certified Nurse Assistants with a current California certificate may waive PT 80. All program
prerequisites must be completed with a grade of “C” or better and a cumulative prerequisite GPA of 2.5
or greater. Admission is on a space available basis. Information and Prerequisite Verifications are
available in the Nursing Department office, Locke 213 and online at: nursing.deltacollege.edu.
Prerequisite Verifications for upgrade status are only accepted from September 1 through October 15.
Licensed Vocational Nurses with a current LVN license may waive PT 80 and PT 82. All program
prerequisites must be completed with a grade of “C” or better and a cumulative prerequisite GPA of 2.5
or greater. Admission into the second semester (summer intersession) of the program is on a space
available basis. Information and Prerequisite Verifications are available in the Nursing Department
office, Locke 213 and online at: nursing.deltacollege.edu. Prerequisite Verifications are only accepted
from September 1 through October 15.
B.
Candidates with degrees from foreign universities:
Candidates who have received a Bachelor’s degree or higher from a foreign university may be eligible to
receive equivalency for high school completion. The candidate must obtain an official copy of the
transcript and have an evaluation completed by a service which is a member of the National Association
of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. Information on these services is available in the Nursing
Department office, Locke 213. There is a fee for this service.
The evaluation must be sent to the candidate or the Director of Health Sciences in an envelope sealed by
the evaluating agency. Evaluations that have been opened will not be accepted. The evaluation must be
submitted with the application as documentation to meet the high school completion requirement. This
coursework will not be accepted to meet any of the program prerequisite courses.
C.
Transfer Information:
Students who wish to transfer into the psychiatric technician program must provide the following to the
Nursing Department office, Locke 213:
 Official transcripts from prior program
 Detailed information about course content including syllabi, course handouts, etc.
 Photocopy of drivers license or birth certificate to verify age
 Official documents verifying completion of high school (see Section III. C. below)
Students who left their prior program due to theory and/or clinical failure are NOT eligible for transfer.
Information and Prerequisite Verification forms for transfer are available in the Nursing Department
office, Locke 213 and online at: nursing.deltacollege.edu. Prerequisite Verifications are only accepted
from September 1 through October 15.
D.
Background Clearance for Criminal History:
Clinical Facilities are requiring all students to obtain a clearance for criminal history prior to placement in
the clinical area. Candidates who cannot obtain a clearance will not be accepted into the program due to
their inability to meet clinical objectives. Candidates tentatively accepted into the program will receive
detailed information regarding the background check and fees. The criteria utilized to obtain a criminal
history background clearance are provided in Appendix A.
A component of obtaining a PT license involves fingerprinting which is sent to the Department of
Justice and FBI. Licensing applicants are required to disclose all convictions, misdemeanor and/or
felonies. Carefully review Section VII below which discusses this issue. Please take this information
into account prior to applying to the program.
III.
ADMISSION CRITERIA
A.
The candidate must be admitted as a student to Delta College and have completed all assessment testing.
Applications for admission to Delta College must be completed online at www.deltacollege.edu.
B.
Candidate must be at least 18 years of age. A copy of birth certificate or driver's license must be
submitted with the Prerequisite Verification for the program.
C.
Candidate must meet ONE of the following requirements:
 high school graduate (submit official high school transcript)
 GED or High School Proficiency Certificate (submit official certificate)
 A.A. degree or higher degree (submit official college transcript)
 Evaluation of degree from foreign university by organization belonging to the National
Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. See Section II.B.
The above documentation must be presented with the Prerequisite Verification in an envelope sealed at
the originating school or agency. Envelopes that have been opened are not considered official and will
not be accepted. If the candidate plans to meet the high school requirement by use of a foreign transcript,
it is highly recommended that the transcript request be made as soon as possible as the process can take
several months. A listing of approved foreign transcript evaluation services is available in the Nursing
Department office, Locke 213. The foreign transcript will meet the high school requirement only. It will
not be accepted for equivalency of any prerequisite courses.
IV.
D.
ALL PREREQUISITES MUST BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO SUBMITTING A PREREQUISITE
VERIFICATION TO THE PROGRAM.
E.
The Prerequisite Verification submission period is September 1st to October 15th.
PREREQUISITE VERIFICATION PROCEDURE
All candidates are required to complete each of the following no later than October 15th.
A.
The candidate must be admitted as a student to Delta College. Applications for admission to Delta
College must be completed online at: www.deltacollege.edu.
B.
Complete the college assessment-placement test. For information regarding testing, contact the
Assessment Office, Goleman 122, (209) 954-5535 or online at: www.deltacollege.edu.
C.
Submit a completed Prerequisite Verification for Admission to the Psychiatric Technician Program to the
Admissions & Records Office, Holt 101.
D.
Candidates who completed coursework from other US regionally accredited colleges/universities must
submit an official transcript with course descriptions WITH THE PREREQUISITE VERIFICATION.(See
Program Prerequisite Information on page 2).
E.
Submit a photocopy of ONE of the following:
 Driver’s license
 Birth certificate
F.
Submit official documentation verifying high school completion or equivalency. Refer to Section III.C.
for details.
V.
SELECTION PROCESS
A.
Upon completion of the submission process, Prerequisite Verifications are reviewed for completion and
prerequisite GPA calculation by Admissions and Records. Candidates are notified of their status,
qualified or disqualified, via their Delta College Student email address.
B.
Candidates are forwarded to the Nursing Department for review and preparation for the lottery.
C.
Selection of qualified candidate occurs at a public drawing through a random selection process.
Currently, the first fifteen (15) names drawn are offered space in the program. The date of the lottery is
provided by an information flyer included with the Prerequisite Verification or online at:
nursing.deltacollege.edu. All names are drawn during the process. Ranking order is presented by a
posting outside the Nursing Department office, Locke 213, and on the department webpage at:
nursing.deltacollege.edu.
D.
Candidates present at the random selection drawing may pick up information packets immediately
following the drawing. Photo identification is required and only the candidate may pick up the packet.
Candidates who do not attend the drawing AND are one of the students selected or an alternate, will be
notified as to their status by the Delta College Student email. These individuals must pick up their
information packets in the Nursing Department office, Locke 213. Photo identification is required and
only the candidate may pick up their packet. Information packets will not be mailed.
E.
VI.
Candidates who are not selected to the program must reapply each year for placement in the random
selection drawing. No waiting list is maintained.
PREPARATION FOR THE PROGRAM
Due to the brief timelines between the lottery drawing and the beginning of the spring semester, potential
candidates are encouraged to complete some of the clinical requirements early in the process.
A.
Clinical Requirements:
The following is a summary of the clinical requirements, which must be completed prior to entry into the
program and maintained during the program:
 Medical Records
Physical exam (within the last six months on a program form)
Immunization Record
TB testing, Hepatitis B immunizations, MMR, TD, varicella titer or 2
immunizations for varicella

Student Nurse Professional Liability Insurance

Current Professional Level Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification
Must be Professional Level, Professional Rescuer or Health Care Provider only
B.
C.
Preparation during the submission period. Students considering submitting a Prerequisite Verifications
to the program are encouraged to do the following:
 Schedule a physical exam after the lottery. By scheduling a date, you will be assured of
completing this requirement. The appointment can be cancelled if you are not selected into
the program.

Begin collecting your immunization records. In some cases your “baby shot records” may
have documentation, which you can use. In the event you are selected into the program, a
form to summarize this information will be provided.

Complete professional level CPR training. Included below is a listing of training courses
available in the area. Certification is good for 1-2 years. Please note that it is often difficult to
find space in a CPR course in December. Be sure you enroll in the appropriate level course.
Any certification other than that described below will NOT BE ACCEPTED.
CPR courses:
Professional Health Care Provider is one general category of CPR certification. Both the American Red
Cross and the American Heart Association offer certification for the Professional Health Care
Provider/Professional Rescuer, which is the category required for all Psychiatric Technician students.

The American Heart Association offers two-year certification. The designations are:
HCP (Healthcare Provider) or
BLS-C (Basic Life Support, C = Professional Rescuer)
American Heart Association classes are offered through:
St. Joseph's Medical Center: Classes are held the last Friday of the month from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
For more information call: (209) 943-2000. (Two-year certification fee is $85.00)
Stockton Fire Department: Classes are held the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month. For more
information call (209) 937-8801. Must register prior to the class. Early registration is important. Office is
closed 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. (Two-year certification fee is $55.00)
The American Red Cross offers one-year certification. The designations are:
CPR-FPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation For Professional Rescuers) or
CPR: Basic Life Support For the Professional Rescuer
American Red Cross classes are offered through:
San Joaquin County Chapter of the American Red Cross: Classes are held once a month over a two
evening period. For more information call (209) 466-6971. (One-year certification fee is $70.00)
Delta College: H Ed 32 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is offered each semester at San Joaquin Delta
College. Consult the current San Joaquin Delta College Schedule of Classes for details or call the
Athletics Division at (209) 954-5176. Inform your instructor that you are preparing to enter Delta
College's Associate Degree Nursing Program: (One-year certification fee $7.00)
Dameron Hospital: (CPR-FPR) Classes are held 2 times a month. For information call (209) 944-5550.
(Two-year certification fee is $50.00)
Lodi Memorial Hospital: (CPR-FPR) Call for class schedule.
For information call (209) 339-7520. (Two-year certification fee is $25.00)
Sutter Tracy Hospital: (CPR-FPR & BLS-C) For information call (209) 836-1322.
Doctors Hospital of Manteca: (CPR-FPR) Classes are held in January and July only.
For information call (209) 239-8368. (Two-year certification is $50.00)
Doctors Medical Center Foundation in Modesto: (CPR-FPR) Classes are held twice monthly.
For information call (209) 521-2229. (Two year certification $70.00 first time, $50.00 renewal)
The above information is current as of July 2006. It is highly recommended that
you call the facility to see if any changes have been made.
VII.
PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN LICENSURE INFORMATION
Please read all of the information presented below if you are considering a career in the nursing/health care
field.
Prior to obtaining a license to practice as a Licensed Psychiatric Technician or Licensed Vocational Nurse, ALL
graduates must report prior felony and misdemeanor convictions along with submission of fingerprints. The
Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians may deny licensure based on prior convictions, which
include, but are not limited to:
 Procuring a license by fraud, misrepresentation or mistake
 A conviction of practicing medicine without a license
 Violating or attempting to violate, directly or indirectly, or assisting in or abetting the violation of, or
conspiring to violate any provision or term of the Vocational Nurse Practice Act or Psychiatric
Technician law
 Aiding or assisting, or agreeing to aid or assist any person or persons, whether a licensed physician
or not, in the performance of or arranging for a violation of any of the provisions of the Medical
Board of California Practice Act
 Conviction of a crime involving fiscal dishonesty
 Any crime or act involving the sale, gift, administration, or furnishing of “narcotics or dangerous
drugs or dangerous devices” as defined in the Pharmacy Practice Act, Section 4022.
When considering denial of license, the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians takes into
account the following criteria to evaluate the rehabilitation of the applicant:
 Nature and severity of the acts or crimes
 Evidence of any act(s) committed subsequent to the act(s) or crime(s) under consideration
 The time that has elapsed since commissions of the act(s) or crime(s) under consideration
 The extent to which the applicant has complied with any terms or parole, probation, restitution, or
any other sanctions lawfully imposed
 Evidence, if any, of rehabilitation
The Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians screens applications fairly but cautiously, applying
the above criteria. Schools of nursing are encouraged when counseling prospective nursing students to make
them aware that there could be potential licensure problems due to serious acts or convictions as described above.
In this manner, students have the opportunity to explore other career options prior to investing substantial time
in a nursing program if it appears that a prior serious act or conviction may jeopardize licensure due to its
substantial relationship to the practice of nursing.
Additional information regarding convictions and licensure from the Board of Vocational Nursing and
Psychiatric Technicians may be obtained online at: http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/convfaq
VIII.
CALCULATION OF PREREQUISITE GPA
Prerequisite
Course
Course
Grade
Grade*
Value
X
_______
_______
X
4
_______
Biology 33
_______
_______
X
6
_______
2. Psychology 1
_______
_______
X
3
_______
3. HS 36 Medical Term
_______
_______
X
3
_______
4. HS 19/FCS 19
_______
_______
X
3
_______
1. Biology 31
Course
Units
=
Grade
Points
OR
* A=4 points
B=3 points
C=2 points
Total Course Units _______ Total Grade Points _______
(add 1, 2, 3, & 4)
(add 1, 2, 3, &4)
Divide: Total Grade Points
Total Course Units = PREREQUISITE GPA
Courses that have been completed with a grade of “C” or better will be included in the calculation. If a course was
repeated in which a grade of “C” or better was obtained, the first grade is utilized in the calculation per college policy.
If a course was repeated for no credit or was an illegal repeat, the first course grade is utilized.
IX.
PROGRAM COSTS
The following information is intended to provide the potential candidate with approximate information
regarding program costs. Costs for items like childcare and transportation are not included as they vary among
students.
Textbooks
approximately $1,000 (including text for prerequisite courses)
Clinical Requirements
approximately $900 (includes physical exam, immunizations, skills
lab kit, malpractice insurance, CPR course, uniforms
Tuition*
$1,404 - 1,456
ATI Assessment Exam costs
Background Check fee
Licensure application costs
Licensing Exam fee
Approximate Total
$200
$41
$125
$200
______
$3,870 – 3,922
Other individualized costs will be childcare and transportation costs
* based on $26 per unit
Appendix A
Criminal History Background Screen Scoring
Definitions

Non-Conviction: Any disposition other than a plea of guilty, no contest or a finding of guilt. Non-Convictions
can be one of three categories.
o
Passing: Non-Conviction leading to charge being dismissed, Nolle Prosse, Nolle Prosequi, Expunged, Not
Guilty verdict or acquittal of defendant.
o
Failing: Any adjudication withheld/deferred where the charge was not dismissed, expunged, Nolle
Prosse or Nolle Prosequi.

Passing Disposition: Any Non-Conviction disposition leading to the case being dismissed, Nolle Prosse, Nolle
Prosequi, Expunged, Not Guilty verdict or acquittal of defendant.

Failing Disposition: Any disposition resulting in a Conviction or Non-Conviction (adjudication
differed/withheld) that has not led to the case being dismissed.

Healthcare Related Misdemeanor: Any Misdemeanor crime related to the following categories:
Theft
Assault and/or Battery
Contributing to Delinquency
Embezzlement
Forgery
Fraud
Misuse of Credit Card
Unauthorized Use
Shoplifting
Receiving Stolen Property
Unemployment or Workers’s
Compensation Fraud
Simple Assault
Domestic Violence
Resisting Arrest
Obstructing Officer
Evade Officer/Lawful Arrest
Weapons Charges
Stalking
Menacing
Worthless Check
Any child-related sexual activity
Any nonconsensual sexual activity with
child or adult
Sale and/or possession of a controlled
substance
Public intoxication/drunkenness
Elder Abuse/Neglect
Child Abuse/Neglect
Child Endangerment
Pass
Score all candidates as “Pass” for the following conditions:
 Any Misdemeanor or Felony offense with a disposition date older than 7 years, with the exception of any
Misdemeanor or Felony violent crimes, conconsensual sexual crimes, and crimes against children with a
Failing Disposition.
 Any Misdemeanor or Felony crime with a Passing Disposition.
 Any Misdemeanor Marijuana offense over two years old in the state of California.
 Any misdemeanor (or lower) traffic violations.
Fail
Score all candidates as “Fail” for the following conditions:
 Any case with a Failing Disposition for Misdemeanor or Felony violent crimes, nonconsensual sexual crimes, and
crimes against children regardless of elapsed time from disposition date.
 Any other Felony crime with a Failing Disposition within the last 7 years.
Any Healthcare Related Misdemeanor crime with a Failing Disposition within the last 7 years (except in California,
exclude misdemeanor marijuana convictions more than two years old).
Any Controlled Substance Offence with a Failing Disposition within the last 7 years (except in California, exclude
misdemeanor marijuana convictions more than two years old).
This brochure is designed to provide information regarding the Psychiatric Technician Program offered through the
Family, Consumer and Health Sciences Division of San Joaquin Delta College. If you have any questions, please call
the Nursing and Health Sciences Office at: (209) 954-5454, write us at 5151 Pacific Avenue, Locke 213, Stockton, CA
95207 or visit us online at: nursing.deltacollege.edu.