What is a Psychiatric Technician?

A Psychiatric Technician, also known as a Mental Health Technician, is a healthcare professional who assists in the care and treatment of individuals with mental health or developmental disabilities. They work under the supervision of Registered Nurses, Psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals to provide direct care, monitor patients, and help with daily living activities. Psychiatric Technicians play a crucial role in supporting the overall well-being and recovery of their patients.

Training Requirements

To become a Psychiatric Technician in Wichita, you typically need to complete a postsecondary educational program, such as a certificate or diploma program. These programs usually take between 12 to 24 months to complete, depending on the specific requirements of the program and the institution offering it.

What's the Fastest Someone Can Become a Psychiatric Technician in Wichita?

The fastest path to becoming a Psychiatric Technician in Wichita is to enroll in a certificate program. These programs are designed to provide the necessary training and education in a relatively short amount of time, usually around 12 to 18 months. During this time, students will learn about topics such as mental health disorders, patient care, medication administration, and crisis intervention.

Psychiatric Technician Classes in Wichita

There are several options for Psychiatric Technician classes in Wichita, each with its own unique features and requirements. Here are a few examples:

1. Wichita Area Technical College: Wichita Area Technical College offers a Psychiatric Technician Certificate program that can be completed in 12 months. The program covers topics such as mental health nursing, pharmacology, and therapeutic communication. Tuition for the program is approximately $7,500, and students must have a high school diploma or GED to enroll.

2. Butler Community College: Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kansas, which is located just outside of Wichita, offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Psychiatric Technician. This 24-month program provides a more comprehensive education, including general education courses and hands-on clinical experiences. Tuition for the program is around $10,000, and applicants must meet the college's admission requirements.

3. Newman University: Newman University, a private Catholic institution in Wichita, offers a Psychiatric Technician Certificate program that can be completed in 18 months. The program focuses on patient care, mental health interventions, and professional development. Tuition for the program is approximately $20,000, and students must have a high school diploma or GED to apply.

Exploring a Career in Psychiatric Technician Outside Wichita

If you've been inspired to follow the path of a Psychiatric Technician but geography isn't on your side, worry not. Your aspiration to become a Psychiatric Technician is within reach in Atlanta, Columbus, McAllen, Philadelphia, or Springfield. For those who don't find these options feasible, Dreambound enables you to effortlessly find and evaluate Psychiatric Technician classes by simply searching with a zip code. Armed with determination and Dreambound, anyone, anywhere, can achieve a career in healthcare.

Online and Free Options for Psychiatric Technician Classes in Wichita

While in-person classes are the most common option for Psychiatric Technician training in Wichita, there are also some online and free options available.

Online Options: Some schools, such as Wichita Area Technical College, offer online or hybrid (a combination of online and in-person) Psychiatric Technician programs, which can provide more flexibility for students who need to balance work, family, and education.

Free Options: Unfortunately, there are no free Psychiatric Technician programs available in Wichita. The training required to become a Psychiatric Technician typically involves a significant investment of time and money, as it requires specialized coursework and clinical experiences.

Certification Process

After completing a Psychiatric Technician program, graduates must pass a state-approved certification exam to become a licensed Psychiatric Technician in Kansas. This exam, known as the Psychiatric Technician Licensure Examination, is administered by the Kansas State Board of Nursing. Once certified, Psychiatric Technicians must maintain their license by completing continuing education requirements and renewing their certification periodically.

Job Environment in Wichita

Wichita's job market for Psychiatric Technicians is quite promising, with several potential employers in the area. Some of the top employers for Psychiatric Technicians in Wichita include:

• Via Christi Health: A large healthcare system with multiple hospitals and clinics in the Wichita area, offering various opportunities for Psychiatric Technicians.
• Comcare of Sedgwick County: The county's community mental health center, which provides inpatient and outpatient services and employs Psychiatric Technicians.
• Wichita Psychiatric Center: A private psychiatric hospital that specializes in mental health and substance abuse treatment, hiring Psychiatric Technicians.
• Behavioral Health Hospital of Wichita: A dedicated psychiatric hospital that offers a range of mental health services and employs Psychiatric Technicians.

The job environment for Psychiatric Technicians in Wichita is diverse, with opportunities to work in hospitals, mental health facilities, and community-based programs. Psychiatric Technicians in Wichita can expect to earn a competitive salary, with the average Psychiatric Technician salary in the city being around $35,000 per year.

Final Thoughts

Wichita, Kansas, is an excellent place to become a Psychiatric Technician. With a growing healthcare industry and a need for mental health services, the city offers several options for Psychiatric Technician classes, both in-person and online. Whether you're looking to start a new career or advance in the field of mental health, Wichita provides the resources and opportunities to help you achieve your goals and land a rewarding psychiatric technician job with a good salary.

If you're considering a career shift or curious about different professional paths, Dreambound has written many guides to help you in making informed decisions. Here are a few:

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