Psychiatric Technician Program
Available in the Following Campuses
Enrollment and Registration is open year around. Class size is limited.
Prerequisite Start Date: July 8, 2013
Core Program Start Date: September 30, 2013
Program DescriptionPsychiatric Technicians (PTs) provide care for mentally disordered or developmentally disabled clients under the supervision of the director of the services. The director may be a physician, psychologist, rehabilitation therapist, social worker, registered nurse, or other professional personnel. The Psychiatric Technician utilizes scientific and technical expertise, and manual skills to provide care and training for clients with mental disorders and developmental disabilities. The program includes didactic and laboratory training, as well as an internship that correlates with the theoretical education. As a result of the preparation, students will be able to work as a Psychiatric Technician in hospitals or medical clinics. Students completing this program are awarded a Psychiatric Technician Diploma.
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Watch Psychiatric Technician Career Video
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Clinical Training
We, at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts, consider clinical experience one of the most important parts of the medical education. Students are required to be rotated throughout our affiliated medical facilities, while attending the school. Click here for the list of medical facilities.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission into the Psychiatric Technician program, the applicant must meet the following criteria:
- Applicant must submit a completed application. It is recommended that interested applicants fill out the application with the admissions advisor.
- Applicant must have graduated from high School, or earned a GED and be at least 18 years of age.
- Applicant must pay all applicable fees, as per the current published fee schedule prior to the issuance of an enrollment contract or make other payment arrangements acceptable to the School.
- Applicant must complete a Scholastic Level Exam (SLE) with a score of at least 19.
- Completion of the prerequisite course “Essential Medical Bioscience” must be completed before starting the program. Applicants with previous medical experience may request to challenge the course test to be accepted into the program without taking the prerequisite course.
- If enrollment openings are fewer than applicants that meet the admission requirements applicants will be asked to pass an interview with the nursing program director or program coordinator.
Program Length and Schedule
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Length |
14 months (48 weeks/1,530 hours) |
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Internship / Clinical |
960+ hours in affiliated medical facilities |
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Didactic / Lab Sessions Schedule |
Morning: 9:00 am — 2:00 pm |
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Clinical Sessions Schedule |
Morning: 6:30 am — 3:30 pm |
The didactic training correlates with the lab and clinical education.
Program Fees
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Total Program Cost: $18,709.50 Prerequisite Fee (additional, if applicable): $1,601.00 |
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Click here for more information about Financial Assistance.
For details please call:
- (925) 687-9555 Concord
State Certification for Psychiatric Technicians
In order to work as a Psychiatric Technician in California you will be required to pass a licensing examination administered by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT). Completion of this course does not automatically enable a graduate to work as a Psychiatric Technician.
Click here for license examination pass rate information.
Click here for Summary of Requirements for Licensure as a Psychiatric Technician.
Psychiatric Technician Job Outlook and Salary
There is a shortage of trained and experienced psych techs in California, with constant demand in the public sector. Most jobs are concentrated near state hospitals, but there are many other jobs available within the prison systems, private mental health care facilities and also hospitals are recognizing the use of Psychiatric Technicians on mental health units.
Usually Licensed Psychiatric Technicians are employed by:
- State Hospitals
- Day Treatment Centers
- Developmental Centers
- Correctional Facilities
- Psychiatric Hospitals & Clinics
- Psychiatric Technician Programs
- Geropsychiatric Centers
- Residential Care Facilities
- Vocational Training Centers
The median wage in 2012 for Psychiatric Technicians in California was $53,623.00 annually, or $25.78 hourly. The median is the point at which half of the workers earn more and half earn less. Benefit packages may include medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as retirement plans, vacation, holidays, and sick leave. Some employers may offer tuition reimbursement for education.
Source: State of California Employment Development Department: Detailed Guide for Psychiatric Technicians in California.
Facts and Fun Statistics
This is a new section for many of you who expressed interest in such facts as the ones below about our Academy and our Programs. Psychiatric Technician Program is offered at Concord Campus only. Let us share with you some facts:
- Most of Psychiatric Technician students are from Fairfield, Concord, Modesto, Vacaville and Vallejo.
- According to our statistical data more than 28% psychiatric students are from: Brentwood, Martinez, Sacramento, Santa Rosa, Tracy.
- Students from Ceres, Fremont, Oakland, Pinole, Riverbank, San Bruno, Stockton and other nearby locations combine 21% of our student population.
Gainful Employment Disclosure Information
Gurnick Academy is committed to providing thorough and timely vocational medical training to our students so they may obtain gainful employment.
Our institution has provided program specific information regarding gainful employment in compliance with the new Gainful Employment regulations for Title IV eligible institutions, put forward by the U.S. Department of Education, in July 2011.
All required information can be found throughout this page. You may also visit the Gainful Employment Disclosure page to see this disclosure information for all campuses and programs.
Disclosure Information for 2011-2012 Financial Aid award year:
- Available in:
Concord Campus - Award:
Psychiatric Technician Diploma
- Length of the program (2011-2012 award year):
48
Weeks - program length 6 Weeks additional to pass Exit/HESI exam 88.0
Credit hours
1,640.0
Clock hours
- Occupations:
Psychiatric Technicians, SOC Code: 29-2053.00
Occupational Profile on O*Net for Psychiatric Technicians - On-time completion Rates (2011-2012 award year):
The number of students who completed the program during the award year was less than 10, for privacy reasons, the school should not disclose this information. - Cost of program and Room $ Board cost (2011-2012 award year):
Tuition & Fees
$17,817.50
Books & Supplies
$900.00
Room & Board
$14,160.00
- Placement rates reported to ABHES (2011-2012 award year): 50%*
*Note: Because Psychiatric Technician program graduates must pass the CAPT exam and achieve licensure before they can be employed, the timing of employment for PT is often extended beyond the ABHES reporting date. Gurnick Academy continues to assist with employment services beyond the end of the reporting period for PT and all Gurnick programs.
- Median loan debt (2011-2012 award year):
The number of students who completed the program during the award year was less than 10, for privacy reasons, the school should not disclose this information.