65-4202. Definitions. As used in this act: (a) "Board" means the board of nursing.

(b) The "practice of mental health technology" means the performance, under the direction of a physician licensed to practice medicine and surgery or registered professional nurse, of services in caring for and treatment of the mentally ill, emotionally disturbed, or people with intellectual disability for compensation or personal profit that:

(1) Involve participation and provision of input into the development of person-centered treatment plans and therapeutic procedures for individuals or groups of individuals specified in subsection (b) requiring interpersonal and technical skills in the observations and recognition of symptoms and reactions of such individuals, the accurate recording of such symptoms and reactions and the carrying out of treatments and medications as prescribed by a licensed physician or a mid-level practitioner as defined in K.S.A. 65-1626, and amendments thereto;

(2) require an application of techniques and procedures that involve understanding of cause and effect and the safeguarding of life and health of the individual and others; and

(3) require the performance of duties that are necessary to facilitate habitation and rehabilitation of the individual or are necessary in the physical, therapeutic and psychiatric care of the individual and require close work with persons licensed to practice medicine and surgery, psychiatrists, psychologists, rehabilitation therapists, social workers, registered nurses, and other professional personnel.

(c) A "licensed mental health technician" means a person who lawfully practices mental health technology as defined in this act.

(d) An "approved course in mental health technology" means a program of training and study including a basic curriculum that shall be prescribed and approved by the board in accordance with the standards prescribed herein, the successful completion of which shall be required before licensure as a mental health technician, except as hereinafter provided.

History: L. 1973, ch. 308, § 2; L. 1988, ch. 259, § 1; L. 1992, ch. 151, § 3; L. 1999, ch. 115, § 17; L. 2012, ch. 91, § 44; L. 2017, ch. 34, § 22; L. 2017, ch. 100, § 4; July 1.