All About Psychiatric Technicians
Psychiatric Technician Job Description Care for individuals with mental or emotional conditions or disabilities, following the instructions of physicians or other health practitioners. Monitor patients’ physical and emotional well-being and report to medical staff. May participate in rehabilitation and treatment programs, help with personal hygiene, and administer oral or injectable medications.
Psychiatric Technician Responsibilities
- Provide nursing, psychiatric, or personal care to mentally ill, emotionally disturbed, or mentally retarded patients.
- Interview new patients to complete admission forms, to assess their mental health status, or to obtain their mental health and treatment history.
- Lead prescribed individual or group therapy sessions as part of specific therapeutic procedures.
- Monitor patients’ physical and emotional well-being and report unusual behavior or physical ailments to medical staff.
- Escort patients to medical appointments.
- Train or instruct new employees on procedures to follow with psychiatric patients.
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Skills Needed to be a Psychiatric Technician
Below is a list of the skills most Psychiatric Technicians say are important on the job.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Types of Psychiatric Technician
- Milieu Therapist
- Licensed Psychiatric Technician (LPT)
- Direct Care Worker (DCW)
- Mental Health Worker
- Patient Care Specialist
Psychiatric Technician Job Outlook
In the United States, there were 66,100 jobs for Psychiatric Technician in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5.9% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 3,900 new jobs for Psychiatric Technician by 2026. There will be an estimated 5,600 positions for Psychiatric Technician per year.
The states with the most job growth for Psychiatric Technician are Washington, Arizona, and North Dakota. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Illinois, or Tennessee. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Psychiatric Technicians Make A Lot Of Money?
The salary for Psychiatric Technicians ranges between about $22,800 and $64,430 a year.
Psychiatric Technicians who work in California, Connecticut, or District of Columbia, make the highest salaries.
How much do Psychiatric Technicians make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $27,390 |
| Alaska | $38,940 |
| Arizona | $34,210 |
| Arkansas | $28,570 |
| California | $64,500 |
| Colorado | $37,980 |
| Connecticut | $54,130 |
| Delaware | $32,970 |
| District of Columbia | $50,490 |
| Florida | $29,680 |
| Georgia | $30,330 |
| Hawaii | $38,230 |
| Idaho | $29,880 |
| Illinois | $44,400 |
| Indiana | $30,610 |
| Iowa | $31,860 |
| Kansas | $28,060 |
| Kentucky | $29,680 |
| Louisiana | $27,330 |
| Maine | $28,830 |
| Maryland | $35,800 |
| Massachusetts | $45,220 |
| Michigan | $40,250 |
| Minnesota | $38,800 |
| Mississippi | $29,290 |
| Missouri | $31,050 |
| Montana | $27,280 |
| Nebraska | $30,220 |
| Nevada | $33,090 |
| New Jersey | $45,870 |
| New Mexico | $28,790 |
| New York | $44,100 |
| North Carolina | $33,460 |
| North Dakota | $31,590 |
| Ohio | $34,990 |
| Oklahoma | $26,510 |
| Oregon | $47,710 |
| Pennsylvania | $31,340 |
| Rhode Island | $39,380 |
| South Carolina | $34,980 |
| Tennessee | $26,730 |
| Texas | $32,500 |
| Utah | $27,660 |
| Vermont | $40,000 |
| Virginia | $30,650 |
| Washington | $40,990 |
| West Virginia | $23,440 |
| Wisconsin | $33,990 |
What Tools do Psychiatric Technicians Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Psychiatric Technicians:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- GE Healthcare Centricity EMR
- Allscripts Sunrise Clinical Manager
- ICANotes
- Cerner ProFile
- Epic EpicCare Inpatient Clinical System
- ADL Data Systems OptimumClinicals Electronic Health Record
- MEDITECH Behavioral Health Clinicals
- Netsmart Technologies Avatar Clinical Workstation CWS
How do I Become a Psychiatric Technician?
Are there Psychiatric Technicians education requirements?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Psychiatric Technician?
Psychiatric Technicians Sector
Below are examples of industries where Psychiatric Technicians work:
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being a Psychiatric Technician may also be interested in:
Are you already one of the many Psychiatric Technician in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Katie Spencer via Public domain
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