Psychiatric Technician Program

Psychiatric 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.

The mission of Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is to offer quality medical programs that integrate professional skills, career-focused education and hands-on practical experience, empowering students to develop and achieve their personal and career potentials.

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts believes that education should promote the development of positive self-esteem. Therefore, the institution provides services that support the efforts of students to succeed academically, vocationally and personally. The Academy provides a sophisticated level of training to individuals who desire a professional career in the medical field. This is accomplished through educational programs utilizing advanced training equipment, didactic lectures and hands-on experience provided by highly trained instructors, physicians and technologists.

1. Incorporate principles from psychiatric, nursing, behavioral, and physical sciences in the provision of competent care to clients of different ages with different bio-psychosocial needs.  

2. Apply knowledge of specific disease conditions in the prevention, treatment, medical, and rehabilitation of all clients.  

3. Differentiate the role of the psychiatric technician within the medical team.  

4. Adhere to professional standards incorporating legal and ethical responsibilities of the psychiatric technician.  

5. Utilize critical thinking in assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation of client care.

6. Organize, prioritize and delegate care for a group of clients communicating effectively with members of the medical team.

1. Applicant must submit a completed application. It is recommended that interested applicants fill out the application with the admissions advisor.

2. Applicant must have graduated from high school, or earned a GED and be at least 18 years of age.

3. 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.

4. Applicant must complete a Scholastic Level Exam (SLE) with a score of at least 19.

5. 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.

6. 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.

Length: 14 months (1530 Hours)

Internship/ Clinical: 960+ hours in affiliated medical facilities.

Didactic/ Lab sessions schedule: Morning: 9AM - 2PM; Evening: 5PM-10PM

Clinical sessions schedule: Morning: 7AM - 3PM; Day: 9AM-5PM; Evening: 4PM - 11PM

The didactic training correlates with the lab and clinical education.

Registration Fees:  $75.00 (non-refundable)
RSDRF: $100.00 (refundable deposit)
STRF:  $47.50
Textbooks and Materials: $900.00
Tuition: $17,595.00
Total Program Cost: $18,717.50

Prerequisite Fee (Additional, if applicable): $1,600.00
 
# SLM Financial private student loans are available now for those who qualify.
# For details please call 650-685-6616 (San Mateo Campus) or (925) 687-9555 (Concord Campus).

Disclaimer Form
To all Psychiatric Technician students: The law DOES require Psychiatric Technicians to be BVNPT certified to work. To get the Psychiatric Technician license it′s required to pass a licensing examination after completing a State-approved Psychiatric Technician program. Students will be eligible to take the licensure examination to become certified after completion of the program since Psychiatric Technician program at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is approved by BVNPT.

There is no national licensure examination for PTs. The BVNPT Board develops and administers a year-round computer-administered examination to approximately 1,000 applicants annually at 24 test centers. When a PT applicant is approved, a Notice of Eligibility and Candidate Handbook is mailed. The applicant is responsible for calling the toll-free number to schedule an appointment to test.

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