Psychiatric Technicians

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Healthcare Practitioners
• O*NET-SOC code: 29-2053
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Provide nursing, psychiatric, or personal care to patients with cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities.
• Encourage patients to develop work skills and to participate in social, recreational, or other therapeutic activities that enhance interpersonal skills or develop social relationships.
• Restrain violent, potentially violent, or suicidal patients by verbal or physical means as required.
• 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.
• Take and record measures of patients' physical condition, using devices such as thermometers or blood pressure gauges.
• Observe and influence patients' behavior, communicating and interacting with them and teaching, counseling, or befriending them.
• Aid patients in performing tasks, such as bathing or keeping beds, clothing, or living areas clean.
• Collaborate with or assist doctors, psychologists, or rehabilitation therapists in working with patients with cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities to treat, rehabilitate, and return patients to the community.
• Develop or teach strategies to promote client wellness and independence.
• Train or instruct new employees on procedures to follow with psychiatric patients.
• Escort patients to medical appointments.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, ADL Data Systems OptimumClinicals Electronic Health Record, Allscripts Sunrise, Bag valve mask BVM resuscitators, Blood drawing syringes, Blood pressure cuffs, Cerner ProFile, Cold therapy equipment, Crutches

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Psychiatric Aides
• Physical Therapist Assistants
• Occupational Therapy Aides
• Physical Therapist Aides
• Occupational Therapy Assistants
• Recreational Therapists
• Paramedics
• Home Health Aides

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Psychiatric Technicians — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.