Mental Health/Psychiatric Technician
12 courses · Mt. San Antonio College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Winter 2027
MENT 40 Introduction to Interviewing and Counseling
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture: 54
Theory and practice in interviewing skills. Stresses application of counseling theories, helping skills, and consultation theories to allow exploration of self as a helper and learn facilitating skills to bring about change. Emphasis on establishing rapport, obtaining information, and developing a supportive relationship in a variety of mental health settings.
MENT 56 Medical-Surgical Nursing for Psychiatric Technicians
- Units
- 9
- Hours
- Lecture: 162
- Prerequisite
- Admission to the Psychiatric Technician Program
- Corequisite
- MENT 56L
Holistic approach to assessment and intervention in the care of the medical-surgical patient. Examines physiological modes of rest and exercise, regulation, circulation, ventilation, reproductive, elimination, and the sensory system; medical-surgical nursing; care of the dying patient and cardiovascular problems; calculations of drug dosage and administration of medications; study of anatomy and physiology of the human body.
MENT 56L Medical-Surgical Clinical Experience
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- Lab: 216
- Corequisite
- MENT 56
Application, assessment, intervention, and evaluation of nursing treatment in the physiological modes of rest and exercise, regulation, nutrition, elimination, application of emergency procedures, circulation, ventilation, fluids, and electrolytes. Psychosocial aspects of care including interdependence, role function, self-concept, care of aged, and cultural aspects. Development and application of nursing skills for those with medical-surgical problems and special needs. Calculation and administration of medications. Roy's Adaptation Model serves as the conceptual framework.
MENT 58D Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing and Pharmacology for Psychiatric Technician (PT)
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- Lecture: 72
- Prerequisite
- MENT 56 and MENT 56L
- Corequisite
- MENT 58L
Concepts of nursing assessment and intervention for disease processes affecting body systems. Principles related to the safe administration of medications including classifications of medications and knowledge of specific medications. Roy's Adaptation Model serves as the conceptual framework.
MENT 58L Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing for Psychiatric Technicians Clinical
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- Lab: 81
- Prerequisite
- MENT 56 and MENT 56L
- Corequisite
- MENT 58D
The application of nursing skills to patients with medical-surgical disorders which includes administration of medications utilizing the Nursing Process. Sister Callista Roy's Adaptation Model serves as the conceptual framework.
MENT 70 Introduction to Psychiatric Technology
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- Lecture: 27
- Prerequisite
- Admission to Mental Health Technology - Psychiatric Technician Program
- Corequisite
- MENT 70L
Role and function of the Psychiatric Technician. Includes mental health theories of personality development, self-concept, role function, and interdependence. Also includes developmental disabilities theories of sensorimotor techniques and positive behavior support techniques.
MENT 70L Introduction to Psychiatric Technology Clinical
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- Lab: 108
- Corequisite
- MENT 70
Clinical experience at mental health facilities within the community which serve individuals diagnosed with mental health and/or intellectual, physical, and other developmental disabilities. Acceptance into the Psychiatric Technician Program is required to take this course.
MENT 72 Nursing Care of the Developmentally Disabled Person
- Units
- 7
- Hours
- Lecture: 126
- Prerequisite
- MENT 56 and MENT 56L and MENT 70 and MENT 70L
- Corequisite
- MENT 72L
Knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to safely teach individuals diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Techniques of positive behavior intervention and support, behavior modification, and sensorimotor training are used, focusing on maximizing independence. Examines typical and atypical development and lifespan issues from infancy to end of life. Examines etiologies related to developmental disabilities.
MENT 72L Nursing Care of the Developmentally Disabled Person - Clinical
- Units
- 5.5
- Hours
- Lab: 297
- Corequisite
- MENT 72
Application of skills needed to teach and provide care for individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities.
MENT 73L Psychiatric Nursing for Psychiatric Technicians Clinical
- Units
- 5.5
- Hours
- Lab: 297
- Prerequisite
- MENT 56 and MENT 56L and Admission to Psychiatric Technician Program.
- Corequisite
- MENT 73T
Clinical instruction in the assessment and treatment of individuals diagnosed with mental disorders.
MENT 73T Psychiatric Nursing for Psychiatric Technicians
- Units
- 6
- Hours
- Lecture: 108
- Prerequisite
- MENT 56 and MENT 56L
- Corequisite
- MENT 73L and (PSYC C1000 or PSYC 1A) or (PSYC C1000H or PSYC 1AH) (may have been taken previously)
- Advisory
- MENT 40
Theoretical instruction in the assessment and treatment of individuals diagnosed with mental disorders. Includes medications used in the treatment of mental disorders, therapeutic communication and other therapeutic techniques, and assertiveness and leadership skills necessary for safe practice as a licensed Psychiatric Technician.
MENT 82 Work Experience in Mental Health Technology
- Units
- 2
- Prerequisite
- MENT 72 and MENT 73T and Instructor approval and Compliance with Work Experience regulations as designated in the College Catalog.
Provides students with on-the-job experience in the field of mental health, nursing skills, addiction paraprofessional training, and/or developmental disability, related to classroom instruction, at an approved work site. On-the-job experience at an approved work site. Requires 108 hours for 2 units.