Fast Track to Your Healthcare Career
Fast and Affordable Path - Become A Psychiatric Technician
Are you helpful, compassionate, and a good listener? If you want to help improve the quality of life for some of the most needy or vulnerable individuals in today’s society, and move into a stable, fulfilling healthcare career, consider the profession of Psychiatric Technician.
Psychiatric Technicians work as an integral member of interdisciplinary healthcare teams in the forefront of care and treatment of individuals with mental illness and/or development disabilities. Their primary goal is to transform lives by supporting each individual in achieving their highest level of independence and functioning.
Typical duties of a Licensed Psychiatric Technician include:
Administering medications and provide routine and emergency nursing care
Assisting patients to develop work skills and participate in recreational activities
Teaching, counseling, and writing reports describing physical and emotional symptoms
Assisting in the behavioral management of patients with serious mental illness
Providing individual and group therapy
Supervising the conduct of patients
Why should I consider becoming a Psychiatric Technician?
- Up to $83,640 per year plus overtime, incentives, and benefits when choosing to work within civil service
- Fast route to a healthcare career
- Many advancement opportunities
Psychiatric Technicians have the unique opportunity to make a positive impact on developmentally disabled and mentally ill individuals throughout the State of California. Most use their training in state hospitals, developmental centers and/or prisons while others work in county facilities, private institutions, and special education programs.
A career as a Psychiatric Technician is also a great steppingstone if you’re looking to get started in healthcare. Because the role is similar to a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), many Psychiatric Technicians leverage the experience and skills they attain to later become nurses, social workers, special education teachers, or even psychiatrists. Opportunities for upward mobility and advancement within the profession are endless!
What is the process for getting my license?
How do I get started on this career path?
Get certified through a Psychiatric Technician program! The program is currently offered at several community colleges and vocational schools throughout California. However, through a partnership with the California Dept. of State Hospitals (DSH), the opportunities highlighted within are for Cuesta College, Mt. San Antonio College, Napa Valley College, Porterville College, San Bernardino Valley College, and West Hills College - Coalinga.
While the program details vary by college, the Psychiatric Technician Program is typically a 12-18-month program that aims to prepare you for employment in state hospitals or rehabilitation and treatment centers. You will learn nursing skills and psychiatric principles in order to interact with and care for individuals. The program will also provide you with the foundational knowledge and skill sets needed to administer medications, conduct relationship development, and participate in group therapy.
Upon completion, you will be eligible to take the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technician license exam and may apply for a full- or part-time job anywhere in the State of California.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the program offered?
The Psychiatric Technician program is currently offered at several community colleges and vocational schools throughout California. However, through a partnership with the California Dept. of State Hospitals (DSH), the opportunities highlighted within are for Cuesta College, Mt. San Antonio College, Napa Valley College, Porterville College, San Bernardino Valley College, and West Hills College - Coalinga.
In fact, DSH is looking to immediately fill Psychiatric Technician positions at its five facilities across California (Napa, Atascadero, Coalinga, Metro/Los Angeles, and Patton).
How long is the program?
Up to three semesters (12-18 months).
Is financial aid available?
Some or most of the program costs may be covered by Financial Aid grants or loans. Students are encouraged to apply at the Financial Aid Office weeks before they wish to begin taking courses at any college.
Can I be paid while getting the certification?
Yes! For example, at any of the five California Dept. of State Hospitals locations, you may be eligible for the 20/20 Sponsorship Program, meaning you can participate in an approved academic program full-time, while working half-time and still receive full pay and benefits. Part-time work is also available.
The California Dept. of State Hospitals-Napa has a similar program called the Fast Track Program. This Psychiatric Technician Apprentice Program offers individuals the opportunity to become licensed Psychiatric Technicians through 3,000 hours of on-the-job training plus classroom instruction in mental health, developmental disabilities, nursing science, anatomy and physiology, and pharmacology. Apprentices in DSH Napa's program will first complete the Hospital's in-house program to become Certified Nurse Assistants. Then they will start the 12-month Napa "Fast Track" Psychiatric Technician education program. Each apprentice receives 40-hour per week pay for attending class and working in the Hospital, assisting medical and nursing staff in the care and treatment of patients with serious mental illnesses. Upon successful completion of the program, apprentices will be eligible to take the State's Psychiatric Technician license examination.
When can I start the program?
Entry into the program is each Fall (August), Summer (May), and Spring (January) semesters. The enrollment process should start about 4 months prior to school starting (drug-free, physical requirements, etc.) and typically requires applicants complete necessary prerequisites as well as an application.
How many students are accepted into each class?
Depending on the location, the Psychiatric Technician Program currently admits approximately 30-45 qualified applicants to each class.
Where are Psychiatric Technicians typically employed?
- State of California Department
- Private Hospitals & Clinics
- Substance Abuse Treatment Programs
- Residential Care Facilities
- Developmental Centers Correctional Facilities
- Vocational Training Centers
What is the cost of program?
(Certificate only)
(Certificate only)
The total cost of the program is about $2,392-$4,041 and includes the BVNPT initial test.
Student Loan Forgiveness
- DSH is a Qualifying Employer in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
- The PSLF is a federal program which forgives the remainder of a borrower’s student loans after 10 years of public service work.
- If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, you might be eligible for the PSLF Program.
Contact Us
Interested in enrolling? Please get in touch with a representative.
Hear from Current Psych Techs at DSH
Alberto V.
Psychiatric Technician
Crissy D.
Psychiatric Technician
Minimum Qualifications for Psych Tech Certification Program:
*Must be 18 years of age or older
*Submit proof of graduation from high school or equivalent
*Pass a background check, fingerprints, drug screening, and physical exam
*Must meet basic English and Math requirements
*Must complete prerequisites for selected school program
*Must have a valid California Driver’s License and a U.S. Social Security card
California Department of State Hospitals
1215 O Street, Sacramento, CA 95814