Can a LVN work as a psych tech?

Sour Lemon · Oct 14, 2018

Hello everyone,
I just passed my boards and received my letter. While waiting I've been looking for jobs and stumble across one that I liked. Is it possible for a LVN to work as a psych tech without a psych tech license? Will I be able to utilize and master my skills I learned in school here? Ex trach, cath, ostomy, wound care...
Thank you.

The psych unit I work on has only very basic wound care and an occasional ostomy. We have a few LVNs on staff, but they act as medication nurses and help with hygiene and rounding. They're not assigned their own patients and they don't asses or chart assessments. Psychiatric techs are utilized in a similar fashion.

It probably varies quite a bit from place to place.

NurseTuannie · Oct 15, 2018

Thank you for the insight on this. Looks like I'll go on ahead and find a lvn position

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 15, 2018

As you are using LVN, I will presume you are either in CA or TX.

In CA, psych techs are licensed (LPT) and are separate from LVNs. They pass medications and can provide LVN-level psychiatric nursing care to patients (no assessments, admissions, or other RN-only stuff). Some facilities assign patients to LPTs; others may decide to utilize LPTs just for med passes. Almost all of the LPTs I've encountered do not perform medical procedures/treatments such as ostomy care, foleys, etc.--they are utilized strictly for psych care.

The CA ratios consider LPTs as though they were LVNs.

As an LVN, you could technically perform many of the duties of an LPT. However, you are not an LPT as you do not hold an LPT license. IMO, I'd seek the LVN position.

In TX, I don't know how that goes.