Behavioral Health Technician

Overview

About the program

The Behavioral Health Technician certificate program provides graduates the mental/behavioral health knowledge and skills along with the ability to implement essential care for individuals in a variety of mental health and developmental situations and settings. Mental/Behavioral Health Technicians have a challenging yet personally rewarding role in providing essential services for adults and children with a variety of developmental and mental health needs.

Graduates of this program are prepared to provide support for individuals with developmental disorders and disabilities, mental health concerns and disorders, substance use and co-occurring disorders, challenges of aging and bereavement, and a variety of other conditions and difficult life situations, in conjunction with nursing, psychological/psychiatric care, counseling, and other care and treatment professionals.

Graduates typically work in a variety of systems and situations across a wide array of mental/behavioral health care settings, long- and short-term care facilities, rehabilitation facilities, assisted/supportive living settings, schools, and state, county, and local care systems. The mental/behavioral health care field is rapidly growing, projected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to increase 23-25% over the next ten years (significantly faster than average).

Program format(s)

Students enrolled in this program will take traditional, 16-week classes each semester.

Certificate option

The Behavioral Health Technician Certificate is designed to be completed in one year / two semesters as a full-time student. Students may complete the degree part-time, extending the completion time of the program.

Students engage in 100 hours contact hours of internship experience under the direct supervision of professionals in state, county, and local agencies and facilities. Clinical experiences occur in a variety of community agencies which include schools, developmental services facilities, long-term care facilities, residential and outpatient rehabilitation facilities, mental health centers, drug and alcohol treatment facilities, day habilitation and care programs, homeless shelters, supported living and residential environments, child welfare and social services facilities, youth and adult treatment programs, and treatment programs within the criminal justice system.

Occupational Certification Opportunities

Graduates who have successfully completed the Behavioral Health Technician Certificate program are eligible to test for certification as Certified Mental Health Technician (CMHT) through the National Career Certification Board (https://nccboard.org/certification/allied-health-careers/mental-health-technician-certification-cmht).

Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate fundamental psychological knowledge, including human development, personality development, psychopathology and treatments, developmental delays/disorders and treatments, crisis and trauma intervention and treatment strategies, and substance use disorders/comorbidity and treatment options.
Demonstrate knowledge of mental health therapeutic strategies which include empathetic listening, integrated treatment planning and implementation, behavior management skills, multicultural practice, and legal/ethical practice.
Demonstrate effective client care and service skills, including case management, collecting client history, maintaining records, client instruction, and treatment implementation.

Career Opportunities

Mental Health Technician
Behavioral Health Technician
Behavioral Health Paraprofessional
Behavioral Intervention Specialist
Medical Office Assistant
Psychiatric Aide
Residential Aide
Case Manager
Rehabilitation Specialist

Application Requirements - Limited Enrollment

To apply for acceptance into the Behavioral Health Technician certificate program, your application file should contain:

MTC Application for Admission (nonrefundable application fee).
Final high school transcript (or GED results) and college transcripts (if applicable).
A minimum 2.0 accumulative grade point average (GPA) in high school or college-level courses (whichever is most recent).
Demonstrate college-readiness by achieving the required minimum score on a placement test, successfully completing any required college foundation courses, or satisfying other measures including but not limited to high school coursework, previous college coursework, samples of work, etc.
Completion of a successful criminal background check.