Behavioral Health
Program Description
The occupational certificate programs within the Behavioral Health division provide education/training in human behavior to prepare our students to assist, as an individual or part of a clinical team, in caring for persons and families experiencing mental illness, grief, bereavement, substance abuse, addictions, trauma, or other challenging behaviors. Our short, intense programs focus on the education and skills necessary to deliver comprehensive and specialized social and behavioral health services.
Arizona Western College, as part of its Behavioral Health Sciences certificate program, is proud to offer multi-track options for those entering the mental/health behavioral health field to those currently having roles within the mental/behavioral health discipline, as well as a certificate introducing students to Thanatology, the study of psychological and social aspects related to death. These programs are described in further detail below and a program course map is provided in the links provided for each program.
- Grief and Bereavement - This program is designed to introduce students to the field of Thanatology and address basic principles of Thanatology. The program examines culturally relevant techniques for the support and assistance of the dying and bereaved. The certificate offers an interdisciplinary and scientific approach to the study of the dying and grieving processes; social attitudes towards death and loss; suicide prevention education; and the social and psychological aspects of grief and bereavement.
- BHS Track A - Provide students with a foundation in the study of human behavior and prepare them to assist in caring for individuals with mental illness, challenging behaviors, and comorbid medical conditions. The focus of this program is on didactic knowledge, hands-on learning experiences, and practical training.
- This is the recommended track for students with no previous behavioral health work experience or for those who wish to complete the full program.
- BHS Track B - Provide students with a foundation in the study of human behavior and prepare them to assist in caring for individuals with mental illness and challenging behaviors. The focus of this program is on didactic knowledge, hands-on learning experiences, and practical training.
- This track is only for students who have work experience or training for medical assistant, nursing assistant, or other healthcare related fields.
- BHS Track C - Is intended to provide students with a foundation in the study of human behavior and prepare them to assist in caring for individuals will mental illness, challenging behaviors, and comorbid medical conditions. The focus of this program is on didactic knowledge and practical training.
- This track is only for students currently working in the behavioral health industry.
Working as a behavioral health technician requires you to have these skills and traits:
- Compassion. Because behavioral health technicians spend considerable time interacting with patients, they should be caring and want to help people.
- Interpersonal skills. Behavioral Health technicians continually provide ongoing patient care, so they should develop a rapport with them. Gaining such connections makes behavioral health technicians better able to treat their patients and assess their condition.
- Observational skills. BH Technicians must monitor patients closely and be sensitive to any differences or changes in behavior. For their safety and that of their patients, they must identify signs of distress or concern among patients.
- Patience. Working with patients with mental/behavioral health concerns can be emotionally challenging. Therefore, BH technicians must stay calm in stressful situations.
- Physical energy. BH technicians must lift, move, and sometimes restrain patients. They must also spend a considerable amount of time on their feet.
Degree(s) / Certificates(s)
Career Outlook
Successful completion of this program may assist in obtaining employment in a variety of different occupations and industries.
Behavioral Health Technician salary in Arizona: Average salary $33,000/yr
Overall employment of psychiatric technicians and aides is projected to grow 9 percent from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 16,500 openings for psychiatric technicians and aides are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Alternative Career Paths:
- Residential Aide
- Case Manager
- Rehabilitation Specialist
- Social service assistant
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Registered nurse (RN) career
Source(s): Intuit Mint and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Contact Information
Department Contact(s)
Allied Health
Hours of Operation
- Normal Hours
- Monday - Thursday: 7:00am-5:00pm