What is a Psychiatric Aide?
Occupation Description Assist mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed patients, working under direction of nursing and medical staff. May assist with daily living activities, lead patients in educational and recreational activities, or accompany patients to and from examinations and treatments. May restrain violent patients. Includes psychiatric orderlies.
A Day in the Life of a Psychiatric Aide
- Restrain or aid patients as necessary to prevent injury.
- Provide patients with assistance in bathing, dressing, or grooming, demonstrating these skills as necessary.
- Interview patients upon admission and record information.
- Complete physical checks and monitor patients to detect unusual or harmful behavior and report observations to professional staff.
- Clean and disinfect rooms and furnishings to maintain a safe and orderly environment.
- Serve meals or feed patients needing assistance or persuasion.
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What Every Psychiatric Aide Should Know
Below is a list of the skills most Psychiatric Aides say are important on the job.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Types of Psychiatric Aide Jobs
- Patient Care Assistant (PCA)
- Mental Health Program Assistant
- Psychiatric Nursing Aide
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- Psychiatric Attendant
Are There Job Opportunities for Psychiatric Aides?
In the United States, there were 73,600 jobs for Psychiatric Aide in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 4,100 new jobs for Psychiatric Aide by 2026. The BLS estimates 8,800 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Psychiatric Aide are Tennessee, Arkansas, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Georgia, New Jersey, or New Hampshire. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Psychiatric Aide Make?
The salary for Psychiatric Aides ranges between about $19,830 and $46,490 a year.
Psychiatric Aides who work in Minnesota, New York, or Hawaii, make the highest salaries.
How much do Psychiatric Aides make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $26,680 |
| Alaska | $42,550 |
| Arkansas | $24,950 |
| California | $32,660 |
| Colorado | $33,460 |
| Connecticut | $37,040 |
| Florida | $25,890 |
| Hawaii | $41,940 |
| Idaho | $34,860 |
| Illinois | $26,480 |
| Indiana | $28,030 |
| Iowa | $36,670 |
| Kansas | $25,130 |
| Kentucky | $29,970 |
| Louisiana | $23,580 |
| Maine | $30,430 |
| Maryland | $31,270 |
| Massachusetts | $33,690 |
| Michigan | $34,090 |
| Minnesota | $44,910 |
| Mississippi | $19,970 |
| Missouri | $28,170 |
| Montana | $29,350 |
| Nebraska | $36,580 |
| Nevada | $37,920 |
| New Hampshire | $37,950 |
| New Jersey | $38,910 |
| New Mexico | $33,180 |
| New York | $43,520 |
| North Carolina | $28,730 |
| Ohio | $34,300 |
| Oklahoma | $21,520 |
| Oregon | $39,570 |
| Pennsylvania | $35,450 |
| Rhode Island | $39,260 |
| Tennessee | $23,500 |
| Texas | $27,840 |
| Utah | $29,360 |
| Vermont | $34,780 |
| Virginia | $27,480 |
| Washington | $37,640 |
| West Virginia | $22,430 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Psychiatric Aides
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Psychiatric Aides:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Data entry software
- Email software
- Microsoft Windows
How to Become a Psychiatric Aide
Individuals working as a Psychiatric Aide have obtained the following education levels:
What work experience do I need to become a Psychiatric Aide?
Where do Psychiatric Aides Work?
Below are examples of industries where Psychiatric Aides work:
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Psychiatric Aide may also be interested in:
References:
Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Katie Spencer via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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