Psychiatric Aide-Technician

                       Psychiatric Aide-Technician

Duties and Responsibilities:

Psychiatric aide-technician care for people who have mental illness and development disabilities. Technicians typically provide therapeutic care. Aides help patients in their daily activities and ensure a safe, clean environment. Psychiatric technicians and aides work in psychiatric hospitals, residential mental health facilities, and related healthcare settings. They may spend much of their shift on their feet, and they have high injury and illness rates.

Salary:

$24,580-$30,050

Education: 

Psychiatric technicians typically need postsecondary education, and aides need at least a high school diploma. Both technicians and aides receive on-the-job training. Psychiatric technicians typically enter the occupation with a postsecondary certificate. Programs in psychiatric or mental health technology are commonly offered by community colleges and technical schools.

Psychiatric technician programs include courses in biology, psychology, and counseling. The programs also may include supervised work experience or cooperative programs, in which students gain academic credit for structured work experience.

Programs for psychiatric technicians range in length from 1 semester to 2 years, and they may award a certificate or an associate’s degree.

Psychiatric aides typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. Postsecondary courses in psychology or mental health technology may be helpful. Psychiatric technicians and aides typically participate in a short period of on-the-job training before they can work without direct supervision.

Training may include working with patients while under the close supervision of an experienced technician or aide. Technicians and aides may also attend workshops, lectures, or in-service training.