Behavioral Health Technician Training Programs
Behavioral health technician training programs can help you develop skills in supervising patients with mental disabilities and providing rehabilitative services. Read about the types of programs available in this field, along with common courses and possible careers.
<h3 id="section---WhatBehavioralHealthTechnicianTrainingProgramsAreAvailable">What Behavioral Health Technician Training Programs Are Available?</h3>
<p>Training in this field can commonly be obtained through certificate programs dedicated to career development. You may also be able to find human services associate's degree programs that offer concentrations in mental and behavioral health. Your program can train you to work with mental illness, substance abuse and mentally disturbed patients. By the end of your education, you may know how to develop activity programs, supervise patients, rehabilitate patients and assist in recovery.
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<p>Certificate programs usually take up to a year to complete and can be represented as one consolidated course or several courses. An associate's degree program can take up to two years to complete and can cover many of the same topics found in certificate programs. Associate's degree programs also require you to complete general education classes.
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<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Program Choices</b></td><td> Associate's degrees and certificate programs</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Common Courses</b></td><td> Certificate Program: Correctional psychology, intervention techniques, health in the community<br />Associate's Degree: Human development, group dynamics, abnormal psychology</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Possible Careers</b></td><td> Health care technician, mental health worker, mental health technician</td></tr>
<tr><td><b> Median Salary (2020)</b> </td><td> $47,660 (<i>for all substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors</i>) </td></tr>
<tr><td><b> Job Outlook (2019-2029)</b></td><td> 25% growth (<i>for all substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors</i>) </td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
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<h3 id="section---WhatCoursesCanIExpect">What Courses Can I Expect?</h3>
<p>Since these programs can require you to complete your education on campus, you can expect practicum, work experience or career development courses. Both certificate and associate's degree programs should train you to develop problem solving skills, build patient relationships, collect information, interview patients, plan case files and observe patients. Topics that may also be covered include child abuse, addiction habits, disability support, family support and youth work. Your program may help develop skills in monitoring patients, safely restraining violent patients, maintaining livable conditions and helping patients develop independence.
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<p>Certificate programs can offer courses in correctional psychology, health in the community, intervention techniques, emergency situations and professional guidelines. An associate's degree program can also feature classes covering human development, group dynamics, abnormal psychology, family sociology, sexuality and developmental therapy.
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<h3 id="section---WhatCanIDoWithMyEducation">What Can I Do With My Education?</h3>
<p>Certificate programs are commonly train you for behavioral or mental health technician positions. Behavioral health and social services associate's degree programs can train you for additional careers in hospitals, day cares and nursery schools. You may also be prepared for advanced psychiatric technician, health care technician, mental health worker, mental health assistant, mental health technician and patient care specialist positions. If you are interested in earning certification, the American Association of Psychiatric Technicians offers the Nationally Certified Psychiatric Technician designation.</p>