Psychiatric Technician Advisory
Atlantic Technical Center
March 16, 2010 at 9:00 a.m.
Business & Industry Members Present
Name
Lori Birkender
Donna Linette
Arlene Brett Gordon
Allan E. Dupuis
Maggie de Carbone
Barbara Levy
Nicole Laing
Joanne Hendee
Hillary Kaye
Title
Clinical Educator
Chief Nursing Officer
Family Therapy Dept.
Chief Nursing Officer
Director of Behavioral
Health
Director of Nursing
Manager of Nursing
Education
Registered Nurse
Company
Broward General
South Florida Hospital
Nova Southeastern
Fort Lauderdale Hospital
Broward Health
Title
MHT (Student)
Company
Atlantic Technical Center
Memorial Regional Hospital
GEOCare
Imperial Point Medical Center
Henderson Mental Health Center
Industry Guests Present
Name
Eddison L. Holbert
District and School-Based Support Staff
Name
Wendi Brompton
Barbara Lefkowitz-Zygowsky
Susan Tretakis
Title
Instructor
Health Science Dept.
Head
Health Science
Guidance Counselor
Work Location
Atlantic Technical Center
Atlantic Technical Center
Atlantic Technical Center
Meeting Notes/Minutes
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 am by Donna Linette. Introductions were made by Barbara
Lefkowitz-Zygowsky. All members were welcomed. Barbara shared with the group the amount of effort on
the part of Susan Tretakis, Guidance Counselor, Donna Linette, GEO Care Inc. and Barbara LefkowitzZygowsky, Dept. Head of Health Sciences, to have brought us to this point of opening this program.
New Business
The group reviewed the Mental Health materials that describe the program description and
requirements. The Atlantic Advisory process hand out was discussed. The participation criteria document
formatting and document maintenance were reviewed. Student Eddison L. Holbert was a guest representing
the students of the class; he gave his perception of the class-21 students, all with a different understanding of
actual disease process, and he noted how much he was enjoying his class.
The Advisory Committee Functions were discussed and the importance of each guest and member were
stressed. Their input is invaluable. Members completed the Advisory update form and included their email
addresses.
Wendi Brompton spoke about the program enrollment. There are 21 students in the program and all are
looking forward to the 3 day clinical 2 day classroom schedule, which will start April 6, 2010. She described
the program, reviewed the curriculum frameworks with the group and discussed the various subject matter
included in this program. The committee members were very pleased with what they heard and are looking
forward for their participation with our students. They suggested several subjects to be included in their
training.
Normalization and Deterioration
Peer Specialist
Patient Advocates
Care of Patients with Mental Health Problems along with medical problems
Cultural Sensitivity
Substance Abuse 12 Step Program
De-escalation
Safety
Family Support
Employment Outlook
The members expressed the need for trained Mental Health technicians rather than those who have
been educated on the job. Our graduates should be able to find employment in the various hospitals, clinics,
and nursing homes that hire Mental Health technicians and CNA’s. The students who complete the program
will be able to sit for the CNA exam as well as the National HealthCare Association (NHA) Mental Health
technician exam. Having this opportunity makes them more marketable. There are jobs at several of the
hospitals. There are former Mental Health employees looking for jobs since the closure of Parkway Hospital
and its Psychiatric Unit. It was discussed that the people who will be hired must exhibit the caring and
professional attitude needed for this and any other health care employee. All members seem to agree that
our graduates would start off on equal footing and in some cases better footing because of the formalized
training they will receive.
Suggestions for Recruitment
There was a discussion regarding the schools ability to attract a ‘caring individual’ into the health
profession. Barbara discussed our schools intake process including general orientations, follow-up meeting
with Susan Tretakis (Health Science Guidance Counselor). Students are tested in reading, math and language
and are placed into programs that both the students and Guidance Counselor suggest. Many of these
prospective students are taking this course and intend to move on to the LPN program.
Review Curriculum
There was a suggestion that we invite our members to participate in a workshop related to caring. Susan
Luongo suggested that we offer it to our existing students and perhaps mental health employees that are out
in industry. She suggested that we consider offering it at a hospital since the school does not have capacity to
include all that would be invited. Each member could choose and present a topic at the seminar. Barbara
Lefkowitz-Zygowsky suggested we organize and present next year.
Curriculum Frameworks 2010
The printed material was reviewed and approved for program content, length and program objectives.
The Mental Health textbook was also approved.
Adjournment and Date/Time of Next Scheduled Meeting
The meeting was adjourned at
9:00 am Tuesday, October 19, 2010.
and the next meeting will be held at Atlantic Technical Center