HLTH7200 - Mental Health Technician (one semester)

Windward Community College - Career and Community Education

Course Description

Mental Health Technician Certificate

Mental health is just as important as physical health when it comes to a person's overall well-being. Mental health technicians care for patients with mental or emotional conditions or disabilities. Acting under a health practitioner's order, technicians monitor a patient's physical and emotional health; observe and sometimes interact, teach, counsel, or support the patient; restrain patients when needed; and assist patients with their daily tasks such as bathing and cleaning.

The Mental Health Technician Certificate of Competence at Windward Community College provides introductory training for those entering the field of mental health services or as an enhancement for those currently working within the mental health or behavioral health field. Upon successful completion of this 9-credit program students will be awarded a Windward CC - Certificate of Competence.

Trained mental health technicians are in demand locally for jobs at Hawaii State Hospital, Hina Mauka, elder care homes, and through referrals from Windward Health Center, Department of Education, and health care organizations.

Course Outline

The Certificate of Competence in Mental Health Technician is a 9-credit program that prepares students for work as assistants to mental health professionals in institutional settings.

Learner Outcomes

- Develop basic understanding of human behavior and the biopsychosocial nature of abnormal behaviors.
- Identify current theories and interventions in working with individuals living with mental health issues.

Notes

The course consists of 3 online courses.
FIRST EIGHT WEEKS:
PSY 100: Survey of Psychology (REQUIRED)
PSY 170: Psychology of Adjustment (ELECTIVE)

SECOND EIGHT WEEKS:
PSY 253: Conflict Resolution & Mediation (REQUIRED)
PSY 224: Abnormal Psychology (ELECTIVE)

Student will choose one of two electives, PSY 170 or PSY 224.

All courses are online and to be completed on your own time. Instructor office hours tbd. Books are included in additional fees.

REQUIRED TECHNOLOGY:

Desktop or laptop computer (laptop loaners available upon request)
Access to reliable high-speed Internet
Ready and able to connect to meetings and online course material
Access to updated web browsers: Chrome, etc.

Prerequisites

Please submit a short statement expressing why you are interested in the mental health field and what type of employment you are seeking. Email your statement to: wccocet@hawaii.edu. Upon completion of your training you must be ready to be employed.