What is a Psych-Tech?

[AllieRat]

Started my psych rotation yesterday and the home we were assigned to was staffed by one RN and six Psych-Techs. The staff seemed very unprofessional and untheraputic towards how it treated its patients. One even got argumentative with a patient over his delusions. Although the experience did start to solidify my thoughts of becoming a psych nurse. :monkeydance:

But I was wondering what exactly a psych tech was and what their qualifications were. Needless to say they didn't seem that knowledgeable (most had been in employement for 5+ yrs) and while we were dressed in business causal (per clinical requirements) they were in jeans and hole ridden t-shirts yet they expect their residents to be dressed appropriately and were making comments when one resident had a stain on their shirt.

[Apoetess]

I'm in GA. I don't know about other hospitals in GA,but at my clinical site, only RNs & LPNs gave meds.

I figured it wasn't here in CA. We are licensed and able to pass meds, chart etc. basically the only thig and R.N. can do that we can't is start an IV ad push IV meds.

[starmickey03, MSN, RN]

When I had my Psych rotation, the techs pretty much just made sure everything was run smoothly on the unit (i.e. making sure pts were safe). They needed no license or certificate; no formal training involved.

The LPN passed meds and checked vital signs while the RN mostly did an EXTENSIVE amount of charting.

[nomsa]

All those who have negative attitudes about psych Techs, get crazy and you will love psych Techs as you will seek help from them!!

[fourpattersons]

In California it is almost a 2 year program and you must be state licensed to work as a Psych Tech. Just short of the RN program here as well. Mental Health Tech are different here in California. I dont know where you are from though. =)

[fourpattersons]

I totally agree. In California a Psych Tech is a professional Health Care Worker. We have to be state licenced, and plenty of schooling. I think most of these people are talking about Aides, Mental Health Worker, or Psych Aide. In other states, the criteria is much lower. I was thinking the same thing. Glad I ran into your post =)

[mssjez]

In my state, Psych Techs are high school graduates with hospital experience. That's it.

[Hygiene Queen]

Where I am at, we hire CNA's for geriatrics only. We have a split team of CNA's (which we call PCT's) and BHA's (Behavioral Health Associates which require a 4 year degree, preferably psych related).

It is physically and mentally challenging to work with geri-psych patients.

Our CNA's are (usually) very intelligent and most are pursuing higher education... even if they hadn't planned on it initially.

There is just something about the culture of our unit that encourages furthering education.

I started there as a PCT and already had 15 years of CNA and geriatric experience under my belt. I was snatched up and well-paid.

Unfortunately, ADL's may get left in the dust in the pursuit of physical safety for all on the unit.

It is frustrating, but until staffing ratios actually reflect the acuity of the unit, so it shall remain.