Certified Mental Health Technician

Become a Certified Mental Health Technician

This Mental Health Technician certification course trains you to become a qualified mental health technician. Topics covered include medical terminology, roles and responsibilities, processes and procedures, and identifying and approaching patients with psychosocial needs. Real-world scenario assignments provide you with direct feedback for assisting patients with mental health disorders.

This course also prepares you to sit for the Mental Health Technician Certification (MHTC) exam offered by the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA). Enrollment fees include a voucher for the MHTC exam. As a bonus, within the duration of this Mental Health Technician course, you can apply to attend a Red Cross workshop to obtain your CPR/BLS certification.

Note: This online mental health technician certification course does not meet state requirements for students intending to work in AR, CA, CO, and KS. Ensure that the Mental Health Technician course meets your state’s requirements.

Job Outlook for Certified Mental Health Technicians

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for a mental health technician or psychiatric technician is $37,380.

Overall employment of psychiatric technicians and aides is expected to increase by 9% by 2032. The healthcare sector will employ around 15,200 psychiatric technicians and aides annually over the decade, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Certified Mental Health Technician FAQs

What is a Certified Mental Health Technician? What does a Certified Mental Health Technician do?

The National Career Certification Board (NCCB) states that Certified Mental Health Technicians (CMHT), also referred to as mental health assistants or psychiatric aides, work as a member of a team under the supervision of psychologists, psychiatrists, and counselors to care for emotionally disturbed and mentally ill patients. Public and private psychiatric hospitals, nursing homes, and residential mental health institutions employ these professionals. They coordinate mental health services, interview patients, document treatments, and help patients with their needs.

Why is obtaining a certification important for a mental health technician?

According to the National Career Certification Board (NCCB), obtaining your Certified Mental Health Technician (CMHT) certification displays mastery of the latest information and skill practice necessary to be a successful CMHT.

How do I obtain my Red Cross CPR certification?

Within the course, you will have the opportunity to apply to attend a Red Cross workshop to obtain your CPR/BLS certification.

Does this course prepare you for a certification?

Yes. You will be prepared for the Mental Health Technician Certification (MHTC) exam offered by the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA).

When can I start this course?

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course whenever you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

Course Objectives

Responsibilities and required skills of mental health technicians
Relevant laws and policies in mental and behavioral healthcare
Professionalism and communication with diverse populations
Cultural competency in patient care and critical thinking
Psychology domains and theories of human behavior
Mental health problems and disorders throughout the life cycle
Appropriate therapies and therapeutic relationships
Mental health assessments and psychotherapeutic drugs
Key principles of pharmacology in mental health settings
Effective patient care guidelines and charting protocols
Proper examination and intervention skills

Prerequisites and Requirements

To enroll in this course, you must be at least 18 years old. To successfully complete the course, you must participate in competency activities and receive feedback from your instructor. You will need access to a video camera (on your phone or other device) and be able to upload the video in .mp4 format to the assignment pages for review.

To be eligible for certification, you must have graduated from a training program related to the exam you are applying for, taken at an AMCA-approved test site. Proof of course completion is required. Additionally, you must pass the exam within one year of completing the training.

Curriculum

See curriculum and additional content on the main course enrollment page.

Instructors

Carline Dalgleish
Sharon L. Blackford
Stacey O’Brien
Leahnata Davis
Kate Moura Dos Santos
Alexis M. Ramirez
Betty Stahl
Rox Ann Sparks, DNP, MSN, RN, CNE, CMHIMP, LNC
Tricia Adams

Registration and Enrollment

This course is 100% online. Start anytime.