Mental Health Technician
Mental Health technicians care for people who have mental illness and developmental disabilities.
Introduction:
The purpose of this program is to prepare students for employment as mental health technicians, psychiatric aides or psychiatric technicians and nursing assistants.  Additional certification and licensure opportunities (i.e. Certified Recovery Peer Specialist, Certified Community Health Worker and Certified Behavioral Health Technician) are noted at the end of the document under Special Notes. The content includes but is not limited to nursing assistant skills, physical assessment, patient teaching and education, wellness and disease concepts, HIV/AIDS, growth and development, mental illness, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, psychosis, personality disorders, emergency and crisis intervention, Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia, intellectual developmental disabilities, substance abuse, group therapy, stress management, employability skills, safety and security issues, legal and ethical, therapeutic communication, documentation, clinical skills including hygiene, vital signs and CPR.
Career Opportunities:
- Mental Health Technician
Employment Outlook:
Overall employment of psychiatric technicians and aides is projected to grow 11% from 2020 to 2030.
Salary:
The average wage for this career in Florida is $15.93 hourly or $33,140 annually.
Completion Requirements:
The entire program is 480 hours. Certain Adult Education Centers do not offer all components of the program. Full completion of the program may be completed at a Technical College. Students can earn a certificate at the completion of the following Occupational Completion Points (OCPs):
OCP | COURSE | HOURS |
---|---|---|
OCP A | Basic Healthcare Worker | 90 Hours |
OCP B | Nurse Aide and Orderly (articulated) | 75 Hours |
OCP C | Mental Health Technician | 315 Hours |
Total Hours: 480 |
Location & Course’s Schedule:
Mental Health Technician is available at the following school (s):
LOCATION | COUNSELOR / REGISTRAR | PHONE NUMBER |
---|---|---|
Hialeah Adult Education Center (305) 822-1500 |
Maria Lopez John Miranda Gillian Carrasco |
Ext. 2210 |
Contact Information at the Location:
Additional information can be provided by student services:
LOCATION | COURSE’S SCHEDULE | |
---|---|---|
Hialeah Adult Education Center | Monday – Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. |
Source
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Psychiatric Technicians and Aides,
on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/psychiatric-technicians-and-aides.htm