Professional Resources

    Print Friendly and PDF

The Psychiatric Technician's unique Scope of Practice
Psychiatric Technician Code of Ethics, Introduction
Psychiatric Technician Code of Ethics
Interpretive Statements for Code of Ethics
The Psychiatric Technician Pledge

The Psychiatric Technician's unique Scope of Practice

As the professional association for Psychiatric Technicians in California, CAPT is often asked for a list of functions that Psychiatric Technicians are allowed to perform under their state license. Unfortunately, there is no such list, aside from some basic language in the Psychiatric Technicians Law. Essentially, the scope includes everything taught in the Psych Tech education program that must be completed before the licensing examination.

Below are the Business and Profession Code links to the Psychiatric Technician Law. Our scope of practice language is in Article 1, beginning with Section 4500 through 4502.3.

BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE - BPC
DIVISION 2. HEALING ARTS [500 - 4999.129]
CHAPTER 10. Psychiatric Technicians [4500 - 4548] 

As an additional resource, check out the California Legislative Counsel's key study of the Psych Tech scope of practice.

The state requires that a graduate from a Psych Tech program must have completed at least 1,530 hours of instruction in both classroom and clinical settings. The hours of theory and clinical experience shall include a minimum of each of the following:

 

Theory Hours

Clinical Hours

Pharmacology

54

 

Nursing science

126

270

Mental disorders

108

270

Developmental disabilities

108

280

To expand on these general requirements, the BVNPT has adopted regulations further defining the Psych Tech curriculum to include the following content:

(1) Anatomy and physiology

(2) Nutrition

(3) Psychology

(4) Normal growth and development

(5) Nursing process

(6) Communication, both verbal and written

(7) Nursing science, which shall include:

  • (A) Nursing fundamentals
  • (B) Medical/surgical nursing
  • (C) Communicable diseases, which shall include but not be limited to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
  • (D) Gerontological nursing

(8) Patient education

(9) Pharmacology, which shall include:

  • (A) Knowledge of commonly used drugs and their actions
  • (B) Computation of dosages
  • (C) Preparation of medications
  • (D) Principles of administration

(10) Classifications, treatment programs, and interventions for developmental disabilities.

(11) Classifications, treatment programs, and interventions for mental disorders, which shall include addictive behaviors and eating disorders.

(12) Leadership

(13) Supervision

(14) Ethics and unethical conduct

(15) Critical thinking

(16) Culturally congruent care

(17) End-of-life care

The state Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) is often asked whether a certain procedure is included in the scope of practice. If you have such questions, you may email the BVNPT's Nursing Education Unit at bvnpt.sop@dca.ca.gov.

From time to time, the BVNPT issues written decisions on scope of practice issues. CAPT publishes them in our Outreach magazine and elsewhere.

For more information on the legal administration of our unique profession, please refer to the California Code of Regulations, Title 16, Division 25, Chapter 2, Psychiatric Technicians.

Psychiatric Technician Code of Ethics
Adopted by the California Association of Psychiatric Technicians
September 18, 1996

Introduction

The Psychiatric Technician Code of Ethics informs Psychiatric Technicians and society of the profession's expectations and requirements in ethical matters. Accompanying the Code are Interpretive Statements that expand on each item of the Code. Together they provide a framework for Psychiatric Technicians to make ethical decisions and discharge responsibilities to clients/patients, the public, other members of the interdisciplinary health team and the profession.

The Code is based on beliefs about the nature of individuals, psychiatric nursing, mental and developmental health, safety, and society. Consumers and suppliers of psychiatric nursing services are viewed as individuals and groups possessing basic rights and responsibilities, and whose values and circumstances should be respected.

Psychiatric nursing and psychiatric technology encompass the promotion and restoration of developmental habilitation, mental and physical health; the prevention of illness; and the alleviation of suffering. The Code and its Interpretive Statements provide guidance for conduct and relationships in carrying out psychiatric nursing responsibilities consistent with the ethical obligations of the profession and quality in nursing care.

Development and maintenance of a Code of Ethics is an essential characteristic of a profession and provides one means for the exercise of professional self-regulation. A Code indicates a profession's acceptance of the responsibility and trust with which it has been invested by society. Requirements of the Code may often exceed but are never less than those of the law. Each Psychiatric Technician has a personal obligation to uphold and adhere to the Code and to ensure that colleagues do the same.

The Code was originally drafted by members of Psychiatric Technician Professional Practice Groups in various California state hospitals and developmental centers. The Code was adopted by -- and is maintained by -- the California Association of Psychiatric Technicians, the professional association for California's Psychiatric Technicians.

Psychiatric Technician Code of Ethics

1. The Psychiatric Technician provides care with respect for human dignity and the uniqueness of the client/patient, regardless of the individual's social or economic status, personal attributes or the nature or degree of the disability.

2. The Psychiatric Technician acts to safeguard the client's right to privacy and dignity.

3. The Psychiatric Technician acts to protect clients/patients and the public from the incompetent, unethical or illegal practice of any person.

4. The Psychiatric Technician assumes responsibility and accountability for individual nursing judgments and actions, and for the quality and extent of services performed.

5. The Psychiatric Technician maintains professional competency through continuing education.

6. The Psychiatric Technician respects the findings, views, and actions of other disciplines, and uses appropriate channels to express judgment of these matters.

7. The Psychiatric Technician participates in activities that contribute to the ongoing development of the profession.

8. The Psychiatric Technician participates in the profession's efforts to implement and improve the profession's Standards of Practice.

9. The Psychiatric Technician participates in the profession's efforts to establish and maintain conditions of employment conducive to quality psychiatric nursing care.

10. The Psychiatric Technician participates in the profession's effort to protect the public from misinformation and misrepresentation and to maintain the integrity of psychiatric nursing care.

11. The Psychiatric Technician collaborates with members of the health professions and other citizens in promoting community and national efforts to meet the mental health needs of the public.

12. The Psychiatric Technician maintains readiness to provide appropriate professional services in public emergencies.  

 Interpretive Statements for Code of Ethics

1. The Psychiatric Technician provides care with respect for human dignity and the uniqueness of the client/patient, regardless of the individual's social or economic status, personal attributes or the nature or degree of the disability. 

Achievement of optimal care occurs when clients/patients maintain full involvement in planning and implementing their own health care. Each individual has the right to choose what will be done with his or her own care. In addition, the right to accept, refuse or discontinue treatment is to be respected to the fullest degree permissible under the law. 

Psychiatric Technicians have the obligation to know about and support local, state, and federal laws concerning the legal rights of individuals they serve. The Psychiatric Technician must recognize that empowerment may result in risk to the individual's well-being, so it is imperative that the Psychiatric Technician intervene when the client's/patient's safety is in jeopardy. 

Age, race, sex, color, personality, and other attributes, as well as differences in background, customs, attitudes and beliefs will influence Psychiatric Technicians only insofar as they represent factors in treatment. The Psychiatric Technician will respect the individual by personalizing care to specific needs, maintaining the individual's respect and dignity, and considering cultural values.

Personal attitudes and beliefs of Psychiatric Technicians will not limit them in preventing and alleviating of illness and suffering, promoting human dignity, and providing quality care. If a client/patient request legally-sanctioned information, counseling or care that is contrary to the Psychiatric Technician's personal beliefs, the Psychiatric Technician may refuse to provide service, but must advise the individual of resources where these services are attainable. 

The measures to provide assistance to the dying person should assist him or her to live in as much comfort, dignity, absence of pain and freedom from anxiety as possible. Basic human values remain.

 2. The Psychiatric Technician acts to safeguard the right of clients/patients to privacy and dignity. 

It is an accepted standard of nursing practice that data about the status of the clients/patients be accessible, communicated and recorded. Qualities of health services require that such data be available to all members of the healthcare team. Only those directly concerned with the individual's care receive information pertinent to his/her treatment and welfare. 

The rights and well-being of the client/patient should be the determining factor in arriving at the knowledge used in planning care and treatment. 

The written guidelines, defined policies, mandates and protocol will assure client/patient confidentiality. Additional aspects that are regulated include appropriate documentation, quality of care, third-party payment, and peer review. 

The relationship between the healthcare provider and the client/patient is built on trust. The concept of confidentiality has legal implications as well as ethical ones. A breach of confidentiality may expose the Psychiatric Technician to liability because injudicious disclosure of information jeopardizes the welfare and reputation of the client/patient. 

When required, the Psychiatric Technician gives testimony in a court of law. Privilege about the disclosure of client/patient information is a legal right that only the individual or his legal representative may claim or waive. The statutes governing privileged information and exceptions vary from state to state, and the Psychiatric Technician may wish to consult with counsel before testifying in court. 

If, while providing care, there is a need for access to client/patient records, the individual is notified, and permission is obtained whenever possible. Although records belong to the agency where they are collected, the client/patient or legal representative maintains the right of control of information. Written consent must first be obtained when the Psychiatric Technician wishes to use the individual's treatment record for research or nonclinical purposes. 

3. The Psychiatric Technician acts to protect clients/patients and the public from the incompetent, unethical or illegal practice of any person. 

The Psychiatric Technician commits to the welfare, habilitation, daily care, and safety of the client/patient. The Psychiatric Technician must act as an advocate regarding instances of incompetent, unethical, prejudicial, or illegal practice by any member of the healthcare system. Psychiatric Technicians should be aware of state laws, licensing regulations and the policies and procedures where they work. 

When Psychiatric Technicians are aware of inappropriate or questionable conduct, they have a legal responsibility to report the practice to the proper authority within their work environment (such as supervisor, ombudsman, or child protection agency). Use of the established mechanisms for reporting incompetent, unethical or illegal practices should not subject the Psychiatric Technician to fear of reprisal. 

Documentation of the observed behavior or practice is to be provided to the proper authorities. If unethical, incompetent, or illegal practices continue, intervention of appropriate professional organizations and/or licensing bodies is warranted. 

Peer review also serves as a safeguard to the welfare of clients. It promotes the health, welfare, and safety of clients/patients by improving the delivery of services and provides a mechanism for making recommendations for the corrections of deficiencies. 

4. The Psychiatric Technician assumes responsibility and accountability for individual nursing judgments and actions, and for the quality and extent of services performed. 

Being accountable refers to providing an explanation to self, client/patient, employing agency and to the Psychiatric Technician profession. The Psychiatric Technician may be held legally responsible for judgments or actions taken while providing care. Accountability requires evaluation of the effectiveness of one's performance. 

5. The Psychiatric Technician maintains professional competency through continuing education. 

The Psychiatric Technician's knowledge is constantly at risk of becoming obsolete due to new, more effective advances in mental and developmental health care and the demands for new skills to provide total quality care. 

The Psychiatric Technician welcomes the increased need for specific skills and is also aware of the increased accountability that goes along with them. 

The Psychiatric Technician assumes the responsibility for enrolling in and completing courses designed to enhance knowledge and skills. The Psychiatric Technician uses a "continuous quality improvement" approach to seek the wide array of approved courses to better his/her skills as a primary caregiver. 

Along with selecting appropriate continuing education courses, Psychiatric Technicians should take an active role in enhancing their profession by giving input to designated agencies in creating new courses that will improve the quality of client/patient care. 

6. The Psychiatric Technician respects the findings, views, and actions of other disciplines, and uses appropriate channels to express judgment on these matters. 

The Psychiatric Technician utilizes the findings, views, and actions of other disciplines to assist in improving care of the client/patient. This utilization is done for two reasons. 

First is for the synergistic effect. Combining efforts with other disciplines will improve quality care to the client/patient. If diligently applied, this can help to improve the Psychiatric Technician's own knowledge and better conceptualize the "whole picture" of the client/patient. 

Secondly, if the findings, views, or actions of other disciplines are not found to serve the client/patient, the Psychiatric Technician can bring this to the attention of other disciplines through appropriate channels. This point speaks both to openness of Psychiatric Technicians to other perspectives and to the unique value that the Psychiatric Technicians possess in their own skills and scope of practice. 

7. The Psychiatric Technician participates in research that contributes to the ongoing development of the profession. 

All professions must engage in systematic inquiry to verify and continually enlarge the body of knowledge that forms the foundations of its practice. A body of verified knowledge provides the profession both framework and direction in all its activities. 

The accrual of knowledge promotes the advancement of practice and the well-being of the profession's clients/patients. Ongoing research is thus indispensable to the full discharge of a profession's obligations to society. Each Psychiatric Technician has a role in this area of professional activity, whether involved as an investigator, a participant in research or a user of research results. 

Before participating in research, the Psychiatric Technician has an obligation to determine that the study design has been approved by an appropriate body. The Psychiatric Technician's responsibilities include the collection of information about the intent and nature of the research prior to becoming involved. In addition, the Psychiatric Technician must determine whether the research is consistent with professional goals. Only scientifically qualified persons are allowed to conduct or supervise research involving human subjects. 

In any capacity, the Psychiatric Technician participating in research involving human subjects should be fully informed of the rights and responsibilities of both the Psychiatric Technician and the clients/patients. The publication Human Rights Guidelines for Nurses in Clinical and Other Research explains these rights and responsibilities. 

The Psychiatric Technician participating in research has a duty to maintain vigilance in protecting the life, health, and privacy of human subjects. The Psychiatric Technician must respect each individual's right to exercise self-determination, to choose to participate or not, to have full information and to discontinue participation without penalty. 

The integrity, privacy and rights of subjects must be especially safeguarded if they are unable to protect themselves because of incapacity or because they are in a dependent relationship to the investigator. When the research indicates there may be harmful effects to the subject, the research investigation ends. 

8. The Psychiatric Technician participates in the profession's efforts to implement and improve the profession's Standards of Practice. 

Each Psychiatric Technician's individual areas of concern for competency include adequate performance of nursing skills, academic achievement, humanitarian concern for others, acceptance of responsibility for individual actions and the desire to improve psychiatric nursing practice. 

The Standards of Practice provide guidance for the delivery of quality psychiatric nursing care and are a means for evaluating that care received by clients/patients. The Psychiatric Technician has a responsibility to the public to implement and maintain optimal standards. 

The professional practice of psychiatric nursing is founded on an understanding and application of a body of knowledge reflected in its standards. The Psychiatric Technician has the responsibility to monitor these standards in everyday practice and participate in the profession's ongoing efforts to implement and improve standards. 

The future of the profession of Psychiatric Technicians rests with the recruits to the profession. Thus, Psychiatric Technicians have a responsibility to maintain optimal standards of practice and education. This places a particular responsibility on all Psychiatric Technicians who teach. Those involved in training students should work to ensure that entry qualifications for practice are met. 

9. The Psychiatric Technician participates in the profession's efforts to establish and maintain conditions of employment conducive to quality psychiatric nursing care. 

The Psychiatric Technician must be concerned with circumstances of economic and general welfare within the profession. These are important in the recruitment and retention of well-qualified personnel and in assuring that each Psychiatric Technician has the opportunity to function optimally. 

Collective action is the most effective way of defining and controlling the quality of psychiatric nursing care. Collective action includes working through a professional organization or a labor organization, and also working cooperatively with the employer to achieve a productive employment condition. 

A Psychiatric Technician may enter into an agreement with individuals or organizations to provide psychiatric nursing care, provided that the agreement is according to the Standards of Practice as well as the scope of practice as defined by the California Psychiatric Technician Law and its accompanying regulations. 

10. The Psychiatric Technician participates in the profession's effort to protect the public from misinformation and misrepresentation and to maintain the integrity of psychiatric nursing care. 

A Psychiatric Technician may make factual statements that indicate the availability of services through means that are in dignified form. A common form is a professional business card identifying the Psychiatric Technician by name, title, address, telephone number, Psychiatric Technician license number and other pertinent data. 

Also appropriate is listing this information in reputable professional publications. The listing can also include a brief biography with such information as field of practice or specialization, degrees and other scholastic distinctions, offices held, membership in professional societies and references. 

A Psychiatric Technician shall not use any form of public or professional communication to make self-praising statements or claims that are false, fraudulent, misleading, deceptive, or unfair. 

The right to use the title "Psychiatric Technician" is granted by the State of California, through licensure by examination. Usage of this title carries with it the responsibility to act in the public interest. The Psychiatric Technician may use the title "PT" and symbols of academic degrees or other earned or honorary professional symbols of recognition in all ways that are legal and appropriate. Those who may seek to exploit Psychiatric Technicians for other purposes are not entitled to use the title or any of the profession's symbols. 

It is not proper for the Psychiatric Technician to endorse advertising, promotion or sale of commercial products or services because this may be interpreted as reflecting the opinion or judgment of the profession as a whole. Since it is the Psychiatric Technician's responsibility to engage in health teaching and to advise clients/patients on individual matters relating to their health, it is proper for Psychiatric Technicians to utilize their knowledge of specific services and products in advising individual clients/patients. There must also be a variety of similar products or services offered, or at least described, so the client/patient or practitioner can make an informed choice. 

The Psychiatric Technician must assume the responsibility to advise the client against the use of dangerous products. When this type of advice is given, it is to be viewed as a functional responsibility of a Psychiatric Technician. 

The Psychiatric Technician adheres to the above principles and must be alert to any violations by others. The Psychiatric Technician should report promptly, through the appropriate channels, any advertisement or commercial that involves a Psychiatric Technician, implies involvement, or in any way suggests Psychiatric Technician endorsement of a commercial product or service. Psychiatric Technicians who knowingly become involved in such unethical activities negate professional responsibility and may jeopardize public confidence and trust. 

11. The Psychiatric Technician collaborates with members of the health professions and other citizens in promoting community and national efforts to meet the mental health needs of the public. 

All people have a right to quality mental health care. Availability and accessibility to quality mental and developmental health service requires collaborative planning by all healthcare providers and clients/patients. 

The philosophies and goals of Psychiatric Technicians are continuously evolving to meet the needs of the client/patient. Involvement in political decision-making is one effective way to ensure that Psychiatric Technician professional goals are represented. 

Mental healthcare services demand an interdisciplinary approach to delivery of services and strong support from other allied health occupations and supporting systems. The continuously evolving role of the Psychiatric Technician in the mental health delivery system requires a team approach. 

Psychiatric Technicians who have financial or other interests in facilities where services are provided should refrain from conflicts of interest. 

12. The Psychiatric Technician maintains readiness to provide appropriate professional services in public emergencies. 

The profession of Psychiatric Technician is committed to the welfare and safety of all people. Psychiatric Technicians maintain skill in crisis intervention and basic emergency care. Psychiatric Technicians are expected to use these skills in situations of public emergency or disasters. 

The Psychiatric Technician Pledge

Having developed an awareness of the dignity encompassed in the field of Psychiatric Technology and of my responsibility because of specialized training in the therapeutic techniques utilized in the care of individuals with mental illness and developmental disabilities, I pledge myself:

To uphold the integrity and human dignity of those entrusted in my care, and protect them against humiliation, insult or injury without regard to race, color or creed.

To inspire hope and confidence and give assistance, with understanding and friendliness, in finding realistic and meaningful living.

To continue my development of professional competence by complementing scientific study, improving therapeutic techniques, and maintaining high standards of leadership in the field of Psychiatric Technology.

Adopted September 20, 1985
by Delegates to CAPT's First Annual Meeting