Program Information
Are you a caring person, a good listener, and compassionate to others’ needs? Psychiatric aides and technicians observe and record patient behavior and present their findings to counselors, nurses, and other professional staff. They intervene in crisis situations, actively moderate client behavior, and assist with feeding, moving, dressing patients, personal hygiene, and activities of daily living. If this sounds like you, San Jacinto College’s Mental Health Technician career path is for you.
The San Jacinto College Mental Health Technician program:
- Is specifically designed to train mental health technicians, both psychiatric aides and technicians;
- Prepares students to care for mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed individuals following physician instructions and hospital procedures;
- Provides psychiatric aides and technicians with the skills to observe and record patient behavior and present their findings to counselors, nurses, and other professional staff; and
- Offers training to intervene in crisis situations, actively moderate client behavior, and assist with feeding, moving, dressing patients, personal hygiene, and activities of daily living.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of our program will be able to work in substance abuse and mental health facilities in both private and nonprofit organizations and find opportunities in:
- Hospitals,
- In-patient psychiatric hospitals,
- Out-patient hospitals,
- Veteran affairs clinics,
- Nursing homes,
- Research facilities,
- Pain management clinics,
- Drug rehabilitation centers, and
- Counseling centers.
Earning Potential
Psychiatric Technician: $38,0341 per year
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor: $53,5281
- 1
Source: texaswages.com, median salary Gulf Coast region, 2022
For more information, students may contact 281-998-6350, x7146 or mentalhealthservices@sjcd.edu
Campus
North Campus
South Campus
San Jac Online
Students enrolling into San Jacinto College programs with external learning experiences (i.e., clinical, practicum, externship, cooperative, etc.) will be required to comply with the immunization requirements and policies of the clinical/external learning sites to engage in all clinical/external learning experiences. Vaccination requirements at clinical/external learning sites are implemented pursuant to the independent authority of such facilities and are not mandated by San Jacinto College. Failure to meet the immunization requirements mandated by clinical/external learning sites may limit a student’s ability to complete the program and/or may delay the student’s graduation date. San Jacinto College does not process exemptions, and students should address potential vaccination exemptions directly with the clinical/external learning site.
Substance Use Disorder Counseling
Are you a compassionate, willing listener who is ready with support or a kind word during a difficult time? If so, San Jacinto College can give you the training you need to provide counseling and other specialized services to individuals and families suffering the devastating effects of substance abuse.
The San Jacinto College Substance Use Disorder Counseling program:
- Prepares students to enter the field of human services and provide specialized services to individuals and their families experiencing the effects of substance abuse;
- Teaches graduates to identify and administer appropriate assessments, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals who are, or have been, engaged in substance abuse;
- Requires an internship class where students are placed into a substance abuse facility to apply knowledge learned in the program; and
- Provides students with the necessary educational and practicum requirements toward becoming a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC).
Chemical dependency is a problem that takes an enormous emotional and financial toll on society. This is an unfortunate issue, but the silver lining is that exceptional individuals, like you, are determined to reverse it. San Jacinto College can give you the training you need to become a vital part of the solution. We will prepare you to provide counseling and other specialized services to individuals and families suffering from the effects of substance abuse.
Once coursework is completed, students will need 4,000 hours (2 years) of supervised work experience and pass a state exam to obtain their LCDC.
*Students who do not have an associate degree (or higher) in a behaviorally related field will not be eligible for full licensure in the state of Texas. A student can complete the Certificate of Technology or Occupational Certificate course work, enter the workforce as a counseling intern, and continue course work towards the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) before receiving their LCDC.
Mental Health Technician
Are you compassionate to others’ needs? Psychiatric aides and technicians observe and record patient behavior and present their findings to counselors, nurses, and other professional staff. They intervene in crisis situations, actively moderate client behavior, and assist with feeding, moving, and dressing patients as well as personal hygiene and activities of daily living. If this sounds like you, San Jacinto College’s Mental Health Technician path is for you.
The San Jacinto College Mental Health Technician program:
- Is specifically designed to train mental health technicians, both psychiatric aides and technicians;
- Prepares students to care for mentally ill individuals following physician instructions and hospital procedures;
- Provides psychiatric aides and technicians with the skills to observe and record patient behavior and present their findings to counselors, nurses, and other professional staff; and
- Offers training to intervene in crisis situations, actively moderate client behavior, and assist with feeding, moving, and dressing patients as well as personal hygiene and activities of daily living.
Prevention Specialist
The College is now offering a Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist Occupational Certificate. This 20-hour certificate prepares students to apply to be a Texas Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS). The curriculum is approved by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.
The coursework, combined with the capstone experience at a prevention approved training center, enables students to work in the area of drug prevention in a variety of settings that include:
- K-12 schools,
- Juvenile justice settings (alternative schools or youth offender programs),
- Local community coalitions, and
- At-risk programs.
Once coursework is completed, students will need 2,000 hours (1 year) of prevention work experience and pass a state exam to obtain their license as a Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS).
In accordance with Texas House Bill 1508, the College informs all students in this program who may have a criminal background that a criminal history could keep graduates from being licensed by the state of Texas. Students with any questions about their background and licensure may speak with the Department Chair.
Students may view application and information packet on the Mental Health Services webpage.
Plan of Study
6MH-TECH
| First Term | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| SCWK 1303 | Ethics for Social Service Professionals | 3 |
| PMHS 1305 | Mental Health Services Technician | 3 |
| PSYT 2331 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Second Term | ||
| PSYT 2345 | Principles of Behavior Management and Modification | 3 |
| PSYT 2301 | Psychology of Group Dynamics | 3 |
| PMHS 2366 | Practicum-Mental Health Services Technician | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Capstone Experience: PMHS 2366 Practicum-Mental Health Services Technician
Note: Students must pass each course listed in the degree or certificate for Mental Health Services with a grade of C or higher to be eligible to receive a degree or certificate.