Psychiatric Aide – Technician

Psychiatric Aide – Technician

Duties and Responsibilities:

            Psychiatric aides and technicians help care for the mentally ill, disabled, or infirm people who are confined to hospitals, mental facilities, and residential care facilities. They work under the supervision of mental health professionals or nurses. They often work in hospitals, social service centers, crisis centers, schools, and substance abuse facilities. Psychiatric technicians usually have more formal training and responsibilities than aides. Psychiatric aides and technicians often:

·        Help patients with hygiene and eating

·        Escort patients around the clinics and facilities

·        Aid or restrain patients

·        Help with orientation and housekeeping

·        Interview patients or families

·        Observe patients and report their actions to professionals

·        Teaching daily living skills

·        Dispensing medication

·        Engaging in educational and recreational activities

Average Salary: $12,000 - $24,000

Educational Requirements:

            Psychiatric aides do not always require a high school diploma or formal training, but an employer would prefer that an applicant has both.

            Psychiatric technicians need a high school diploma or formal training and should have taken courses in English and science. A short training course or previous job experience as a psychiatric aide is often also required.

I would not like to be a psychiatric aide or technician because it is not the type of work I would enjoy in the medical field.