Psychiatric Aide - Technician

Duties and Responsibilities:

Psychiatric aides and technicians help care for 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:

Ø  Help patients bathe, dress, and eat.

Ø  Escort patients to and from wards or clinics.

Ø  Aid or restrain patients.

Ø  Help with orientation and housekeeping.

Ø  Interview patients and families.

Ø  Observe patients and report their actions to professionals.

Ø  Teach daily living skills.

Ø  Dispense medications, and engage in educational and recreational activities.

Average Salary:  $12,000 - $24,000

Educational Requirements:

Psychiatric aides need not always have a high school diploma or formal training, however most employers prefer that they do.

Psychiatric technicians need a high school diploma 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.