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Mental Health/Addictions Technician Program
Welcome to the Mental Health/Addictions Technician Program webpage.
What is the Mental Health/Addictions Technician Program?
This program is designed to prepare students to work in entry-level positions in mental health or addictions facilities. The program provides students with knowledge, skills, and hands on opportunities to work with individuals who are being treated for diseases related to mental illness or drug and alcohol addictions. Program coursework emphasizes the following topics plus much more:
- Improve communication skills.
- Recognize types of mental illness and current treatments.
- Knowledge of drugs in our society.
- Awareness of alcohol and drug treatment programs.
- Use of individual and group therapy.
- Understand society and family issues related to mental illness and drug and alcohol usage.
- Importance of recognizing the impact of cultural issues in treatment.
- Role of support agencies, federal, state, county and private.
Where are Technicians employed?
Technicians may be employed in mental health and drug treatment centers, hospitals, human service organizations, and public and private residential treatment centers.
What would I be doing as a Technician?
Technicians are very important members of the treatment team. In many cases the technicians are the first members of the team to interact with incoming patients. Responsibilities may include: checking in and orienting patients to the facility, patient interaction and assessment, facilitation of small groups, testing, interviewing, and leading individual and group activities.
Is this for me?
If you are people oriented, have good oral communication skills, like problem solving and interacting with people who have problems, are a good listener, can be objective, then this may be the program for you.
Job Opportunities and Wages
Increased incidences of drug and alcohol addiction and continuing need for mental health treatment have prompted the need for additional social workers, addiction counselors and trained technicians. The pay varies from facility to facility with a range between $8.00 to $15.00 per hour depending on the training and experience. As more trained technicians enter the field pay is expected to increase.
Is the program available only in Williston?
The program is available in Williston, Minot, Bottineau, and Devils Lake. Program courses are offered over the Interactive Video Network (IVN). Support courses and general education courses may be taken Online over the Interactive Video Network (IVN) or face-to-face from Williston State College, Minot State University-Bottineau, and Lake Region State College.
Can I transfer in credits I have taken from other colleges?
Yes. We will review your college transcripts and determine which courses apply to the program and which apply to general education and program support courses.
How do I get started?
I like what I see so far, now how do I get started?
1. If you would like more information or talk to someone about the program
Call or email: Neil Westergaard, Program Coordinator, at: 701-838-3614 or
701-774-4280 or email: Neil.Westergaard@wsc.nodak.edu
2. Complete Williston State College admission requirements. Go to
www.wsc.nodak.edu for admission requirements and procedures.
3. Contact Neil Westergaard or Distance Education office to obtain a Program
Application Packet.
4. Program application packets are due the first week of May.
5. Complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Program Requirements:
- 2.25 GPA in all required general education and program courses.
- Maintain a 2.25 GPA throughout the program
- ‘C’ or better in all support and program courses
- Up to ten students/site will be admitted to the program
- Preference given to applicants with college credits and experience in healthcare.
Curriculum:
Two options are available, a three semester Certificate Program and a two-year Associate in Applied Science Degree. All students admitted to the program will begin with the Certificate Program. Upon completing the Certificate Program students are encouraged to complete the two-year degree.
The general education and support coursework may be applied to four-year degrees in social work or addiction counseling. Some of the program coursework may also apply.
Certificate:
Semester One (Fall) Credits
PSYC 111 Introduction to Psychology………………….. 3
SWK 200 Introduction to Helping Relationships……….. 3
ENGL 110 College Composition I……………………...... 3
MHA 201 Mental Health I……………………………… 4
MHA 210 Addictions I…………………………………..4
Total………………..17
Semester Two (Spring)
PSYC 270 Abnormal Psychology …………………….. 3
SWK 256 Introduction to Human Services…………….. 3
MHA 205 Mental Health II…………………………….. 4
MHA 215 Addictions II…………………………………4
CSCI 101 Introductions to Computers…………………. 3
Total………………..17
Semester Three (Summer)
MHA 220 Internship……………………………………… 3
Total Credits………..37
Associate in Applied Science Degree
Mental Health/Addictions Technician
Semester One Credits
PSYC 111 Introduction to Psychology……………………3
BIOL 115 Human Structures & Functions ………………3
SWK 200 Introduction to Helping Relationships…………3
ENGL 110 College Composition I…………………………3
MHA 201 Mental Health I………………………………....3
Total………………..16
Semester Two
PSYC 270 Abnormal Psychology…………………………3
Math Course (100 or higher)………………………………...3
SWK 256 Introduction to Human Services………………. 3
MHA 205 Mental Health I………………………………...4
SOC 235 Cultural Diversity……………………………... 3
Total………………...16
Semester Three
HPER 210 First Aid……………………………………… 1
PSYC 250 Developmental Psychology……………………3
SOC 115 Social Problems ………………………………3
MHA 210 Addictions I……………………………………4
CSCI 101 Introductions to Computers…………………….3
Wellness/Humanities elective………………………………3
Total………………..17
Semester Four
AH 282 Medical Law & Ethics…………………………2
MHA 215 Addictions II…………………………………...4
MHA 220 Internship………………………………………3
Electives……………………………………………………..4
Total………………...13
Total Credits………...62
Course Descriptions
SWK 200 Introduction to Helping Relationships 3 credits
This course provides an overview of the helping process. Emphasis is given to evaluating one’s beliefs, values and attitudes regarding the client/helper relationship. Emphasis is also given to developing effective interpersonal communications with attention given to developing effective interviewing and problem solving skills.
SWK 200 is offered fall semester. Students must be admitted to the Mental Health/Addictions Technician program or receive permission from the program coordinator to register for this course.
SWK 255 Introduction to Human Services 3 credits
This course examines the structure of the social service organization from federal to local levels. Emphasis is given to role of the social service agencies, available resources, and methods to access the resources. In addition, the roles of professional and paraprofessional staff (technicians) are defined. After completing this course, students should have a better understanding of the role of the Mental Health/Addictions Technician is varies settings.
SWK 255 is offered spring semester. Students must be admitted to the Mental Health/Addictions Technician program or receive permission from the program coordinator to register for this course.
MHA 201 Mental Health I 4 credits
The first of a two-semester sequence, MHA 201 provides an overview of mental illness.
The course looks at who is affected by mental illnesses from child to adult and covers theories, types of treatments provided throughout the mental health system. MHA 201 introduces the role of medication in treatment.
MHA 205 Mental Health II 4 credits
MHA II takes a more in depth look at the types of mental illness and treatments. It stresses the role of the Mental Health Technician in the treatment process. Role playing is used to prepare students for the job and to gain a better understanding of the role they will play when working.
MHA 210 Addictions I 4 credits
MHA 210 introduces the theories of chemical addiction and dependence. The course gives an overview of the drugs, legal and illegal, that are frequently used and abused. The course looks at the impact of drug abuse on the individual, the family and society. Issues related to culture are addressed.
MHA 210 is offered fall semester. Students must be admitted to the Mental Health/Addiction Technician program or receive permission from the program coordinator to register for this course.
MHA 215 Addictions II 4 credits
MHA 215 provides an overview of assessment, patient placement and treatment planning procedures. Role playing, planning and leading individual and group activities are stressed. The course also reviews various treatment programs and looks at the role of therapeutic drugs in treatment. Laws, regulations and the role of the technician are also emphasized.
MHA 215 is offered spring semester. Students must be admitted to the Mental Health/Addictions Technician program or receive permission from the program coordinator to register for this course.
MHA 220 Internship 3 credits
The internship consists of 100 hours in an approved mental health or addictions treatment setting. The internship provides students with an opportunity to observe and apply program related competencies and theory.
MHA 220 is primarily offered summer term. Students may take the internship earlier if they meet the requirements. Admittance to the program and program coordinator approval is necessary to register for the internship.
Contacts:
Neil Westergaard, Program Coordinator
1-888-863-4280 or 701-838-3614
Neil.Westergaard@wsc.nodak.edu
Wanda Meyer, Director of Distance Education
1-888-863-9455 ext. 4231
Wanda.Meyer@wsc.nodak.edu
Mindy Sigvaldsen, Distance Education
1-888-863-4258 or 774-4258
Mindy.Sigvaldsen@wsc.nodak.edu
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