Find Trade Colleges
What Do Psychiatric Technician Do?
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.
List of Psychiatric Technician Job Duties
- Develop or teach strategies to promote client wellness and independence.
- Aid patients in performing tasks, such as bathing or keeping beds, clothing, or living areas clean.
- Contact patients’ relatives to arrange family conferences.
- Observe and influence patients’ behavior, communicating and interacting with them and teaching, counseling, or befriending them.
- Train or instruct new employees on procedures to follow with psychiatric patients.
- Take and record measures of patients’ physical condition, using devices such as thermometers or blood pressure gauges.
Featured schools near , edit
Things a Psychiatric Technician Should Know How to Do
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.
Related Job Titles
- Mental Health Worker
- Psychiatric Technician (PT)
- Mental Health Associate
- Behavioral Health Technician
- Mental Health Technician (MHT)
Is There Job Demand for Psychiatric Technicians?
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.
Salary for a Psychiatric Technician
Psychiatric Technicians make between $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 & Technology do Psychiatric Technicians Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Psychiatric Technicians may use on a daily basis:
- 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 to Become a Psychiatric Technician
What education or degrees do I need to become a Psychiatric Technician?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Psychiatric Technician?
Psychiatric Technicians Sector
Below are examples of industries where Psychiatric Technicians work:
Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Psychiatric Technician might also be interested in the following careers:
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
More about our data sources and methodologies.
TradeCollege.org provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. TradeCollege.org is a for-profit site, and the displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© TradeCollege.org – All Rights Reserved.