Psychiatric Rehabilitation—About the Program

16 credit hours
The Psychiatric Rehabilitation Certificate Program (PRCP) was first developed by the University of Chicago Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation in cooperation with the Department of Human Services Office of Mental Health. PRCP is designed to provide graduates with the necessary background and skills needed to work at an entry level with individuals who have been diagnosed with a mental illness or a dual disorder, mental illness and substance abuse.

Four three-semester hour courses and four one-semester hour internships make up the PRCP. Each course emphasizes the philosophy of mental health consumer empowerment and consumer centered, evidence based rehabilitation. Each internship allows the student to observe and practice their skills in a supervised work setting.

Nature of Work
The PRCP training program addresses the entire range of entry-level jobs in the mental health service delivery system. That range includes work in Psychosocial Rehabilitation Programs, Vocational Rehabilitation Programs and Supported Employment Programs. Work is also available in Recovery Centers, Community Integrated Living Centers, Nursing Homes and psychiatric in-patient units.

Those who successfully complete the program will receive a State Certificate in Psychiatric Rehabilitation and will be entitled to use the credential MHP or Mental Health Professional at their agency.

Upon completion of the program, students will be eligible to be employed as psychiatric technicians in site hospitals, psychiatric aides in private hospitals, security therapy aides in forensic settings, residential aides/supervisors, case managers, and mental health staff working in psychiatric rehabilitation and support services programs.

Individual PRCP classes are also suitable as in-service training for those already employed in the mental health field. Please contact the Program Coordinator for details.

Course content
The courses focus on the practical skills, which paraprofessionals need to do their jobs. Students gain an understanding of the current approaches to mental health or dual disorder rehabilitation including, interviewing skills, assessment, treatment planning and documentation.

The focus of hands-on skills for mental health rehabilitation includes how to teach clients problem solving skills, medication management, life skills, money management, and crisis planning.

Internships
An internship accompanies each class. The internship reflects the learning that takes place in its accompanying class. Internships are held in an accredited adult community mental agency. Students will also visit other community resources and consumer empowerment groups.

Students who work in an accredited mental health agency and whose supervisor has a minimum of a B.A. may be eligible to have some work hours counted towards their internship hours. Please speak with the Program Coordinator to explore the possibility.

Employment Outlook
As Illinois moves towards evidence based practices in the community, employment opportunities in psychiatric rehabilitation are increasing in:

• State sponsored mental health programs

• Psychiatric and substance abuse programs

• Community Mental Health Agencies

• Centers for Integrated Living Arrangements (CILAs)

• Nursing homes that specialize in the rehabilitation of persons with severe psychiatric disorders (IMDs)

• Centers for Recovery, formerly drop-in centers.

Additionally, America’s Career InfoNet identifies social and human service assistants as one of the fastest growing occupations in Illinois. Employment in this category is expected to increase by 40% for the time frame of 2002 – 2012. (www.acinet.org, July 2006).

Wages for this employment category are reported by Career InfoNet as follows:

State and National Wages

Source: http://www.acinet.org/acinet July 2006

For program information please call Lucy Sajdak at (708) 974-5708 or e-mail sajdakl@morainevalley.edu.