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Psychiatric Technicians

Also called: Mental Health Associate, Mental Health Technician (MHT), MHW (Mental Health Worker), Psychiatric Technician (PT)

What they do:

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.

On the job, you would:
  • Provide nursing, psychiatric, or personal care to mentally ill, emotionally disturbed, or mentally retarded patients.
  • 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.
On the job, you'll need:

Math and Science

  • psychology
  • sociology and anthropology

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Health

  • therapy and counseling
  • medicine and dentistry

Business

  • customer service

Basic Skills

  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

Social

  • understanding people's reactions
  • changing what is done based on other people's actions

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Ideas and Logic

  • notice when problems happen
  • use rules to solve problems

Social

People interested in this work like activities that include helping people, teaching, and talking.

  • Dependability
  • Self Control
  • Concern for Others
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Cooperation
  • Integrity

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Medical software

  • GE Healthcare Centricity EMR
  • Netsmart Technologies Avatar Clinical Workstation CWS

Electronic mail software

  • Microsoft Outlook

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Bright.

New job opportunities are very likely in the future. This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Median Annual Salary: $37,380

Education

Some college or bachelor's degree is usually needed.

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See other careers in the Health & Counseling industry.