|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PCI
HEALTH TRAINING CENTER Dallas,
Texas
8101 John W. Carpenter Frwy.
PHONE: (214) 630-0568
FAX: (214) 630-1002
Kelly Drake
Director of Admissions
PCI
HEALTH TRAINING CENTER Richardson,
Texas
1300 International Parkway
PHONE: (214) 576-2600
Ben Davis
Director of Admissions
|
|
|
PSYCHIATRIC ASSISTANT PROGRAM
This program prepares a graduate to work as an entry-level Mental Health
Technician, Psychiatric Assistant, or Psychiatric Attendant in a mental
health care facility. Graduates are employed in mental health hospitals,
drug & alcohol rehabilitation centers, half-way houses, schools for
the mentally retarded, social rehabilitation centers and private counseling
centers. Graduates are able to assist in treatment and rehabilitation
of mentally ill, mentally retarded and substance-abuse patients. Students
are also prepared in Clinical Facility Management and Basic Clinical
Procedures.
The classroom training includes training in subjects from developmental
psychology, psychopathology and psychiatric disorders & therapies to
substance abuse, clinical assessment & documentation, and medications
& treatment. Psychiatric Assistant students also receive training in
CPR, Emergency First Aid, vital signs & basic nursing skills, and aggressive
patient management
Designed for students seeking entry-level preparation for the role
of psychiatric technician and the basic skills required for computations,
documenting, team collaboration, communication, and client advocacy
in the mental health, psychological medicine setting.
Nursing and Psychiatric Aides help care for physically or mentally ill,
injured, disabled, or infirm individuals confined to hospitals, nursing
or residential care facilities, and mental health settings.
Psychiatric Technicians, also known as mental health workers or psychiatric
nursing assistants, have the closest contact with psychiatric and addictions
patients; they provide physical care, participate in and offer components
of the treatment program, and accompany patients to treatments and on
outings.
Psychiatric aides are also known as mental health assistants and psychiatric
nursing assistants. They care for mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed
individuals. They work under a team that may include psychiatrists,
psychologists, psychiatric nurses, social workers, and therapists. In
addition to helping patients dress, bathe, groom, and eat, psychiatric
aides socialize with them and lead them in educational and recreational
activities. Psychiatric aides may play games such as cards with the
patients, watch television with them, or participate in group activities
such as sports or field trips. They observe patients and report any
physical or behavioral signs which might be important for the professional
staff to know. They accompany patients to and from wards for examination
and treatment. Because they have the closest contact with patients,
psychiatric aides have a great deal of influence on their outlook and
treatment.
Employment of psychiatric aides is expected to rise in response to the
sharp increase in the number of older persons—many of whom will require
mental health services. Employment of aides in outpatient community
mental health centers is likely to grow because of increasing public
acceptance of formal treatment for drug abuse and alcoholism, and a
lessening of the stigma attached to those receiving mental health care.
Most psychiatric aides worked in psychiatric units of general hospitals,
psychiatric hospitals, State and county mental institutions, homes for
mentally retarded and psychiatric patients, and community mental health
centers.
Job prospects for psychiatric aides will be good because of fast growth
and high turnover in this large occupation.
|
|
