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Mental health technician with patient

Mental Health Technician - Certificate Program

The Mental Health Technician (MHT) program prepares students for employment as mental health technicians, psychiatric aides or technicians, and nursing assistants, a field in high demand due to the substance abuse crisis. A Mental Health Tech works in a variety of healthcare facilities under the supervision of a psychiatrist, registered nurse, counselor or social worker and participates in the basic nursing care and therapeutic treatment plans for patients with mental health, substance abuse, and addiction issues.

Students will complete Florida's mandatory training requirements for individuals entering a healthcare field and also specific career-based training in physical assessment, psychiatric and substance abuse disorders, developmental disabilities, health and wellness education, emergency and crisis intervention, and basic nursing assistant skills.

The clock-hours program leads to a vocational Career and Technical Certificate. Once students have completed the program's first 165 clock hours, they are eligible to take the Florida Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) examination. After graduation and further work experience of 1,000 hours in the fields of mental health or substance abuse, students may also be eligible for the Florida Certification Board (FCB) exam to become credentialed as a Certified Behavioral Health Technician (CBHT); Certified Recovery Peer Specialist (CRPS-A Adult, CRPS-F Family, CRPS-V Veteran); or Certified Community Health Worker.

Mental Health Technician - Certificate Program

Certificate Type
Career & Technical Certificate (CTC)
Delivery Method
On-Campus
Location
Melbourne
Total Clock Hours
480
Academic Community
Health Sciences
Contact Information

Health Science Advising 
Email Advising 
321-433-7575 

APPOINTMENTS & HOURS

Mental Health technician COURSE CURRICULUM

The 16-week program can be taken in either the Fall or Spring Terms, with all on-campus coursework taking place in the Health Sciences Institute on the Melbourne Campus. The three courses will cover the spectrum of interventions and treatment for mental health, substance abuse, and addiction issues, focused on the patient's stabilization and rehabilitation. The program's initial six weeks focus on the first two courses, and  meet Monday - Thursday, 8 AM to 4 PM, with a combination of on-campus lectures and labs, plus community based clinicals. The second ten weeks cover the third course in the program of study with the same four-day, eight-hour per day weekly schedule (one day of on-campus lectures and labs and three days of off-site clinicals).

Mental Health Technician CTC - Admissions Information

Admission is limited each term and requires a separate application process in addition to the general EFSC application process. Applicants are responsible for the submission and verification of all required information explained in the accordion below before the Fall or Spring term in which they plan to enter the program.

Students should be over 18 years old and must have a high school diploma or the equivalent to apply following the steps below. All applicants will be notified by mail of their status in the program.

See a Health Science Advisor

Contact a Health Science Advisor to set up an academic plan and review the testing requirement.

Verify EFSC General Admissions Status (Current, New, or Returning)

Students must be current students at Eastern Florida State College before they can apply to the Mental Health Technician program. 

NEW STUDENTS:  For students new to EFSC, complete the EFSC online application for admission prior to the Dental Hygiene program application deadline. There is a $30 non-refundable application fee that must be paid before the application can be processed.

Please note that application processing can take up to 14 days due to the current volume of applications. Check your email frequently for your acceptance letter.

In addition, new EFSC students need to

  • Submit official High School Transcripts (or GED® scores) to General Admissions.
  • Provide FL Residency documentation, complete the New Student Orientation, and finalize any other EFSC General Admissions requirements.

RETURNING STUDENTS:  Returning/readmit students who have not completed a course in the past year must also re-apply online.  There is no application fee for a readmit application. Readmit Students need to:

  • Provide FL Residency documentation, and complete any other EFSC General Admissions requirements.

CURRENT STUDENTS: Current Students may move on to the next step.

Complete the Mental Health Sciences Online Application

Complete and submit the online Health Sciences Institute Application to apply for admission to the Mental Health Technican program.

Applicants must also submit a $25 non-refundable application fee. The application fee must be paid online or to the Student Accounts Business Office.

Prepare for the TABE Test or Qualify for an Exemption

The TABE (Test for Adult Basic Education - 11/12 Level A) is required as an exit exam to graduate from the Mental Health Technician program. Per Florida Statute, enrolled students must complete TABE testing or qualify for an exemption by the sixth week of class and the TABE requirement or exemption can be done during the admission's process. Make an appointment with a Health Sciences Advisor to discuss the TABE and review your status.

The TABE Requirement must be satisfied by ONE of the following three criteria within six weeks of the start of the program.

1. Submit the required TABE scores: TABE (Test for Adult Basic Education - 11/12 Level A) is required by Career and Technical Education (CTE) as an exit exam to graduate from Vocational programs. The required score to obtain for graduation is 11th grade level in all three sections:  Reading (617), Language (631), and Mathematics (657). Applicants obtaining scores lower than the required minimum should follow EFSC's TABE Remediation Process to improve their test scores before program completion. NOTE: The TABE test can be taken only ONCE every three months. TABE scores are good for two years.

2. Have a qualifying TABE Exemption processed: Review the EFSC TABE Exemption eligibility and if you qualify, work with the advisor and testing center staff to obtain the exemption. The EFSC testing staff will process the exemption if applicable and notify the program manager. This option must be done within six weeks of beginning coursework in the program and should be done as part of the admission's process if possible.

Equal Access Policy

Eastern Florida State College is dedicated to providing a nondiscriminatory environment which promotes equal access, equal educational opportunity, and equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, race, national origin, color, ethnicity, genetic information, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, marital status, veteran status, ancestry, or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment.

EFSC recognizes the rights of students and applicants with disabilities, including those with hepatitis B, under the protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Brief Costs and Financial Aid Eligibility

If you're a Florida resident, the tuition for this clock-hours program is around $1,603, excluding course materials, background check, and uniforms.

Since it's a shorter certificate program, it's not eligible for Federal financial aid. However, you can use the Nelnet Payment Plan, Florida Bright Futures Scholarships, or Florida Prepaid funds to cover tuition costs. Additionally, you may be eligible for scholarships from external organizations, Veterans Educational Benefits, or Titan Scholarships offered by the EFSC Foundation.

Courses You Will Take

The program includes three clock-hour courses. The first two courses cover training as a nursing assistant. If you are already a trained, licensed CNA or patient care assistant, discuss options with the health sciences advisor. Here are the three courses that make up the program:

Related Health Sciences Programs

As you consider this program, explore these other certificate options in the healthcare field.