Psychiatric Technician or Aide
Psychiatric Technician or Aide
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What Psychiatric Technicians and Aides Do
Psychiatric technicians and aides care for people who have mental or emotional conditions or developmental disabilities. Technicians typically monitor patients’ conditions and provide therapeutic care, such as overseeing their medications. Aides help patients in their daily activities and ensure a safe and clean environment.
Duties
Psychiatric technicians, sometimes called mental health technicians, typically do the following:
- Listen to patients' concerns, observe their behavior, and record their condition
- Report changes in patient health or behavior to medical staff
- Lead patients in therapeutic and recreational activities
- Provide medications and other treatments to patients, following instructions from doctors and other medical professionals
- Help with patient intake and discharge
- Monitor patients’ vital signs, such as their blood pressure and body temperature
- Help patients with daily living activities, including eating and bathing
- Restrain patients who are or may become physically violent
Psychiatric aides typically do the following:
- Monitor patients’ behavior and location in a mental healthcare facility
- Escort patients within a facility
- Help patients with daily living activities, such as bathing and dressing
- Serve meals and help patients eat
- Keep facilities clean by doing tasks such as changing bed linens
- Participate in or accompany patients to group activities, such as recreational sports or field trips
- Restrain patients who are or may become physically violent
Some psychiatric technicians and aides provide care to patients who have severe developmental disabilities or mental health issues. Others work with patients undergoing rehabilitation for drug and alcohol addiction. Their work varies based on the types of patients they work with.
Psychiatric technicians and aides work as part of a medical team under the direction of physicians or registered nurses. Other team members may include psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, and therapists. For more information about the counselors and therapists they may work with, see the profiles on substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, rehabilitation counselors, and marriage and family therapists.
Work Environment
Psychiatric aides held about 32,400 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of psychiatric aides were as follows:
| Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals; state, local, and private | 45% |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 21 |
| General medical and surgical hospitals; state, local, and private | 11 |
| Residential mental health and substance abuse facilities | 5 |
| Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers | 2 |
Psychiatric technicians held about 107,100 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of psychiatric technicians were as follows:
| Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals; state, local, and private | 31% |
| General medical and surgical hospitals; state, local, and private | 14 |
| Offices of mental health practitioners (except physicians) | 10 |
| Residential mental health and substance abuse facilities | 9 |
| Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers | 8 |
Psychiatric technicians and aides may need to stand for long periods, and the work can be physically demanding. Some of their tasks are unpleasant, and it can be challenging to care for patients who are disoriented, uncooperative, or violent.
Despite their work’s challenges, however, psychiatric technicians and aides may find it rewarding. For example, their close contact with patients allows technicians and aides to have a positive influence on patients’ outlook and treatment.
Injuries and Illnesses
Psychiatric technicians and aides have some of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Common injuries may include sprains and strains, such as from lifting and turning patients. Injuries also may result from working with patients who are physically uncooperative.
Psychiatric technicians and aides learn proper lifting techniques to minimize their risk of injury. In addition, these workers receive safety training to help with handling patients who may be a danger to themselves or others.
Work Schedule
Most psychiatric technicians and aides work full time, but part-time work is common. Because hospitals and residential facilities operate 24 hours a day, psychiatric technicians and aides may work nights, weekends, and holidays.
Getting Started
How to Become a Psychiatric Technician or Aide
To enter the occupation, psychiatric technicians typically need a postsecondary certificate, and aides need at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Some states require technicians to be licensed. Both technicians and aides get on-the-job training.
Education
Psychiatric technicians typically need a postsecondary certificate for psychiatric technicians, behavioral health technicians, or similar titles. Programs for these certificates or associate’s degrees, available at community colleges and technical schools, train students in basic nursing skills. They include courses in psychology, anatomy, and pharmacology and also may include supervised clinical work experience. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a bachelor’s degree.
Psychiatric aides typically need a high school diploma or equivalent.
Training
Psychiatric technicians and aides may have a short period of on-the-job training. This training may include working with patients while under the supervision of an experienced technician or aide.
Other Experience
Employers may prefer that psychiatric technicians and aides have experience in a related occupation, such as having worked with people who have developmental disabilities or mental health conditions. Technician experience also may include a clinical component, which they can gain in occupations such as nursing assistant or licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Some states require psychiatric technicians to have a license. Requirements may include completing an accredited education program and passing an exam. Contact your state licensing board for additional information.
Psychiatric technicians may choose to earn optional certification. For example, the American Association of Psychiatric Technicians offers four levels of certification for psychiatric technicians. Requirements vary based on education and work experience.
Employers may require candidates to have certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or basic life support (BLS).
Job Outlook
Overall employment of psychiatric technicians and aides is projected to grow 9 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 15,200 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.
Employment
Projected employment of psychiatric technicians and aides varies by occupation (see table). Cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, are more likely to occur in older people. As the nation’s population of older people grows, demand is expected to increase for psychiatric technicians and aides who care for patients affected by such disorders.
Psychiatric technicians and aides also will be needed to care for people who have mental health and substance abuse issues.
Contacts for More Information
For more information about psychiatric technicians and aides, visit
Similar Occupations
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of psychiatric technicians and aides.
| Occupation | Job Duties | Entry-Level Education | Median Annual Pay, May 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Childcare Workers |
Childcare workers attend to children's needs while helping to foster early development. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $28,520 |
|
Home Health and Personal Care Aides |
Home health and personal care aides monitor the condition of people with disabilities or chronic illnesses and help them with daily living activities. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $30,180 |
|
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses |
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) provide basic medical care. |
Postsecondary nondegree award | $54,620 |
|
Medical Assistants |
Medical assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks, such as scheduling appointments and taking patients’ vital signs. |
Postsecondary nondegree award | $38,270 |
|
Nursing Assistants and Orderlies |
Nursing assistants provide basic care and help patients with activities of daily living. Orderlies transport patients and clean treatment areas. |
See How to Become One | $35,740 |
|
Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides |
Occupational therapy assistants and aides help patients develop, recover, improve, as well as maintain the skills needed for daily living and working. |
See How to Become One | $63,450 |
|
Registered Nurses |
Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care and educate patients and the public about various health conditions. |
Bachelor's degree | $81,220 |
|
Social and Human Service Assistants |
Social and human service assistants provide client services in a variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, and social work. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $38,520 |