Psychiatric Technicians and Aides : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Summary

Psychiatric technicians and aides work in psychiatric hospitals, residential mental health facilities, and related healthcare settings, like drug or alcohol treatment centers.

Quick Facts: Psychiatric Technicians and Aides
2010 Median Pay	$26,880 per year $12.92 per hour
Entry-Level Education	See How to Become One
Work Experience in a Related Occupation	None
On-the-job Training	Short-term on-the-job training
Number of Jobs, 2010	142,500
Job Outlook, 2010-20	15% (About as fast as average)
Employment Change, 2010-20	21,800

What Psychiatric Technicians and Aides Do

Psychiatric technicians and aides care for people who have mental illness and developmental disabilities. The two occupations are related, but technicians typically provide therapeutic care, and aides help patients in their daily activities and ensure a safe, clean environment.

Work Environment

Psychiatric technicians and aides work in psychiatric hospitals, residential mental health facilities, and related healthcare settings. They may spend much of their shift on their feet, and they have a relatively high rate of injury.

How to Become a Psychiatric Technician or Aide

Psychiatric technicians typically need postsecondary education, and aides need at least a high school diploma. Technicians and aides get on-the-job training before they can work without direct supervision.

Pay

The median annual wage for psychiatric technicians was $28,710 in May 2010. The median annual wage for psychiatric aides was $24,950 in May 2010.

Job Outlook

Employment of psychiatric technicians is expected to increase 15 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Employment of psychiatric aides is expected to increase 15 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of psychiatric technicians and aides with similar occupations.

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What Psychiatric Technicians and Aides Do About this section

Psychiatric aides and technicians work as part of a medical team, under the direction of physicians and alongside other healthcare professionals.

Duties

Psychiatric technicians typically do the following:

Observe patients’ behavior, listen to their concerns, and record their condition
Lead patients in therapeutic and recreational activities
Give medications and other treatments, following instructions from doctors and other medical professionals
Help with admitting and discharging patients
Monitor patients’ vital signs, such as their blood pressure
Help patients with activities of daily living, including eating and bathing
Restrain patients who may become physically violent

Psychiatric aides typically do the following:

Monitoring patients’ behavior and location in a mental healthcare facility
Help patients with their daily living activities, such as bathing or dressing
Serve meals and help patients eat
Help keep facilities clean by doing tasks such as changing bed linens
Interact with patients, leading them in educational or therapeutic activities
Participate in group activities, such as playing sports or going on field trips
Help transport patients within a hospital or residential care facility
Restrain patients who may become physically violent

Many psychiatric technicians and aides work with patients who are severely developmentally disabled and need intensive care. Others work with patients undergoing rehabilitation for drug and alcohol addiction. Their work varies depending on the types of patients they work with.

Psychiatric technicians and aides work as part of a medical team, under the direction of physicians and alongside other healthcare professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, social workers, and therapists. Because they have such close contact with patients, psychiatric technicians and aides can have a great deal of influence on patients' outlook and treatment.

Work Environment About this section

Psychiatric technicians may monitor patients’ vital signs, such as taking their blood pressure.

Psychiatric technicians held about 74,900 jobs in 2010. Psychiatric aides held about 67,700 jobs in 2010.

As shown below, about 39 percent of psychiatric technicians were employed by psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals in 2010:

Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals; state, local, and private	39%
General medical and surgical hospitals; state, local, and private	11
Residential mental retardation, mental health and substance abuse facilities	6
Outpatient care centers	2

As shown below, about 24 percent of psychiatric aides were employed in residential mental retardation, mental health and substance abuse facilities in 2010:

Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals; state, local, and private	36%
Residential mental retardation, mental health and substance abuse facilities	24
General medical and surgical hospitals; state, local, and private	7
Individual, family, community, and vocational rehabilitation services	3

Psychiatric technicians and aides work in psychiatric hospitals, residential mental health facilities, and related healthcare settings, such as drug or alcohol treatment centers. They may spend much of their shift on their feet.

Some of the work that psychiatric aides do may be unpleasant. They may care for patients whose illnesses make them disoriented, uncooperative, or violent.

Injuries

Because their work requires many physically demanding tasks, such as lifting patients, psychiatric technicians and aides have high rates of on-the-job injury.

Work Schedules

Psychiatric technicians and aides may work full time or part time. Because hospitals and residential facilities are open at all hours, many psychiatric aides work nights, weekends, and holidays.

How to Become a Psychiatric Technician or Aide About this section

Psychiatric technicians observe patients’ behavior and listen to their concerns.

Psychiatric technicians typically need postsecondary education, and aides need at least a high school diploma. Technicians and aides get on-the-job training before they can start working without direct supervision.

Education

Psychiatric technicians typically enter the occupation with a postsecondary certificate. Programs in psychiatric or mental health technology are commonly offered by community colleges and technical schools.

Psychiatric technician programs include courses in biology, psychology, and counseling. The programs also may include supervised work experience or cooperative programs, in which students gain academic credit for structured work experience.

Programs for psychiatric technicians range in length from one semester to two years, and they may award a certificate or an associate’s degree.

Psychiatric aides typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. Postsecondary courses in psychology or mental health technology may be helpful.

Training

Psychiatric technicians and aides typically must participate in on-the-job training before they can work without direct supervision. This training may last for a few weeks or for several months.

Training may include gaining hands-on experience while working under the supervision of an experienced technician or aide. Technicians and aides may also attend workshops, lectures, or in-service training.

Important Qualities

Compassion. Because psychiatric technicians and aides spend much of their time interacting with patients, they should be caring and want to help people.

Interpersonal skills. Psychiatric technicians and aides often provide ongoing care for patients, so they should be able to develop a rapport with patients to evaluate their condition and provide treatment.

Patience. Working with the mentally ill can be emotionally challenging. Psychiatric technicians and aides must be able to stay calm and be helpful.

Physical stamina. Psychiatric technicians and aides must be able to lift and move patients and heavy objects. They must also be able to spend much of their time on their feet.

Licenses

In 2011, four states—Arkansas, California, Colorado, and Kansas—required licensure of psychiatric technicians. Although specific requirements vary, states usually require psychiatric technicians to complete an accredited education program, pass an exam, and pay a fee to be licensed.

Psychiatric aides are not required to be licensed.

For psychiatric technicians and aides working in states that do not offer licensure, a national certification program is available from the American Association of Psychiatric Technicians.

Pay About this section

Psychiatric Technicians and Aides

Median annual wages, May 2010

Total, All Occupations: $33,840
Psychiatric Technicians: $28,710
Psychiatric Technicians and Aides: $26,880
Psychiatric Aides: $24,950

The median annual wage of psychiatric technicians was $28,710 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $18,420, and the top 10 percent earned more than $50,430.

The median annual wage of psychiatric aides was $24,950 in May 2010. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $17,270, and the top 10 percent earned more than $40,070.

Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of psychiatric technicians in May 2010 were as follows:

General medical and surgical hospitals; state, local, and private	$30,930
Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals; state, local, and private	29,500
Outpatient care centers	23,820
Residential mental retardation, mental health and substance abuse facilities	23,360

Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of psychiatric aides in May 2010 were as follows:

Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals; state, local, and private	$28,120
General medical and surgical hospitals; state, local, and private	26,970
Residential mental retardation, mental health and substance abuse facilities	22,380
Individual, family, community, and vocational rehabilitation services	21,390

Psychiatric technicians and aides may work full time or part time. Because hospitals and residential facilities are open at all hours, many psychiatric aides work nights, weekends, and holidays.

Job Outlook About this section

Psychiatric Technicians and Aides

Percent change in employment, projected 2010-20

Psychiatric Technicians: 15%
Psychiatric Aides: 15%
Psychiatric Technicians and Aides: 15%
Total, All Occupations: 14%

As the nation’s population ages and people live longer, there is likely to be an increase in the number of people with cognitive mental diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Demand for psychiatric technicians and aides in residential facilities are expected to rise as a result.

More psychiatric technicians and aides will also be needed in residential treatment facilities for people with developmental disabilities, mental illness, and substance abuse problems. There is a long-term trend toward treating psychiatric patients outside of hospitals, because it is more cost-effective and allows patients greater independence. Also, an increasing number of mentally disabled adults who were cared for by their parents will need help as their parents become too old to provide that care.

In addition, an aging prison population has increased the need for psychiatric technicians and aides working in correctional facilities.

Employment projections data for psychiatric technicians and aides, 2010-20
Occupational Title	SOC Code	Employment, 2010	Projected Employment, 2020	Change, 2010-20		Employment by Industry
Occupational Title	SOC Code	Employment, 2010	Projected Employment, 2020	Percent	Numeric	Employment by Industry
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Psychiatric Technicians and Aides	—	142,500	164,400	15	21,800	—
Psychiatric Technicians	29-2053	74,900	86,400	15	11,600	[XLS]
Psychiatric Aides	31-1013	67,700	77,900	15	10,200	[XLS]

Similar Occupations About this section

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of psychiatric technicians and aides.

Occupation	Job Duties	ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION	2010 MEDIAN PAY
Childcare Workers	Childcare workers care for children when parents and other family members are unavailable. They care for children’s basic needs, such as bathing and feeding. In addition, some help children prepare for kindergarten, and many help older children with homework.	High school diploma or equivalent	$19,300
Home Health and Personal Care Aides	Home health and personal care aides help people who are disabled, chronically ill, or cognitively impaired. They also help older adults who may need assistance. They help with activities such as bathing and dressing, and they provide services such as light housekeeping. In some states, home health aides may be able to give a client medication or check the client’s vital signs under the direction of a nurse or other healthcare practitioner.	Less than high school	$20,170
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses	Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses (known as LPNs or LVNs, depending on the state in which they work) provide basic nursing care. They work under the direction of registered nurses and doctors.	Postsecondary non-degree award	$40,380
Medical Assistants	Medical assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks in the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners. Their duties vary with the location, specialty, and size of the practice.	High school diploma or equivalent	$28,860
Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants	Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants help provide basic care for patients in hospitals and residents of long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes.	Postsecondary non-degree award	$24,010
Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides	Occupational therapy assistants and aides work under the direction of occupational therapists in treating patients with injuries, illnesses, or disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. They help these patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working.	See How to Become One	$47,490
Social and Human Service Assistants	Social and human service assistants help people get through difficult times or get additional support. They help other workers, such as social workers, and they help clients find benefits or community services.	High school diploma or equivalent	$28,200
Registered Nurses	Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their family members.	Associate’s degree	$64,690