As the level of education and experience rises, so too does the range of duties and responsibilities for a psychiatric technician. They often spend much of their shift on their feet. Because they have such close contact with patients, psychiatric technicians can have a great influence on patients' outlook and treatment. Psychiatric technicians assist mental health care providers, such as psychiatrists, doctors, or registered nurses, in providing hands-on care to people that have a developmental disability or who suffer from a serious mental illness. In this article: How much does a psychiatric technician make in the United States? Observe patients’ behaviour, listen to their concerns, and record their condition, Lead patients in therapeutic and recreational activities, Give medications and other treatments, following instructions from, 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, Monitor patients’ behaviour and location in a mental healthcare facility, Help patients with their daily living activities, such as bathing or dressing, 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. Psychiatric Technicians can work in a variety of settings, including acute-care hospitals, long-term care facilities, prisons, and rehabilitation centers. How much does a Psychiatric Technician make? What is a psychiatric technician (PT)? Some psychiatric technicians also visit patients in their own homes while others work in county jails or armed forces settings. Program outcomes can vary according to each institution's curriculum and job opportunities are not guaranteed. There is also a growing need for psychiatric technicians in residential settings, such as those specifically designed for treating substance abuse. What does a psychiatric technician do? It requires working under the direction of a physician and in collaboration with a variety of healthcare professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, rehabilitation therapists, and registered nurses . What does a Psychiatric Technician do? The bottom 10 percent of earners make just under $23,000 per year while the top 10 percent make an average of $62,000 per year. Psychiatric technicians are often involved in educational and recreational activities as well, such as taking a group of developmentally disabled individuals on a community outing. Yet other states, including California, Colorado, Kansas, and Arkansas, require licensure in order to work as a psychiatric technician. Psychiatric technicians have distinct personalities. Some psychiatrist technicians take care of elderly patients in daycare type settings, but many more severely ill elderly patients need to be taken care of in a more secure facility. Psychiatric Technicians care for individuals with mental or emotional conditions or disabilities, following the instructions of physicians or other health practitioners. Much of the time, psychiatric technicians are responsible for observing patient behaviors. Psychiatric technicians assist with the therapeutic care and monitoring of patients who are mentally ill. Additional Videos. ‐ CareerExplorer. The national average salary for a Psychiatric Technician is $31,106 in United States. Take our career test and find your top matches from over 800 careers. Psychiatric technician programs include courses in biology, psychology, and counseling. Techs work in a variety of venues that can include long-term care facilities, psychiatric hospitals, addiction treatment facilities, standard hospitals, nursing homes and possibly schools for people with impairment. Mental health technicians—also called psychiatric technicians—are key players of a mental health treatment team, working directly with patients who are coping with disabilities, illnesses, or addiction as well as physicians, psychiatrists, social workers, and counselors. The primary function of this occupation is to contribute to the health and wellbeing of patients. How Do I Become A Psychiatric Technician? Psychiatric technicians 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. Psychiatric Technicians are also known as: Salaries for Related Job Titles. They assist in the implementation of various options, including psychoanalytic, somatic, behavioral, humanistic and/or psychopharmaceutical treatments of mental illness. What Does a Psychiatric Technician Do? For example, they can assist with oral medications and hypodermic injections. See first hand how they make our patients feel safe and at ease. They … Aides help patients in their daily activities and ensure a safe and clean environment. … They may also be responsible for intake procedures, including interviewing and admitting patients. The highest certification, level four, requires applicants to have a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of three years of experience working in a mental health setting. Their work varies depending on the types of patients they work with. They work as part of a medical team and monitor and record patients' behavior and condition under the supervision … Psychiatric Technicians can work in a variety of settings, including acute-care hospitals, long-term care facilities, prisons, and rehabilitation centers. They might work with alcohol and drug addicts that are in the process of rehabilitation. What Does A Psychiatric Technician Do? This might include direct observation of a patient’s vital statistics, such as heart rate, respiration, and temperature, which is then reported to medical staff. 921 salaries reported, updated at January 1, 2021. Job Description of a Psychiatric Technician. A psychiatric technician or aide typically works with severely developmentally disabled individuals that require intensive care or medical treatment. These duties are commensurate with an entry-level or level one technician. per hour. How much does a Licensed Psychiatric Technician make in Colorado? What is the workplace of a Psychiatric Technician like? The top industries for pay include specialty hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, and substance abuse treatment centers. Others work with patients undergoing rehabilitation for drug and alcohol addiction. What Does a Psychiatric Technician Do? Licensed Psychiatric Technician. These technicians can also assist patients in outpatient or inpatient drug- and alcohol abuse programs. Note: Psychiatric technicians typically provide therapeutic care and monitor their patients’ conditions. In that regard, psychiatric technicians are but one part of a larger team of mental health workers charged with helping patients improve their overall functioning. Does this sound like you? Some work in hospitals, or mental health clinics, while other are employed in psychiatric assessment centers or psychiatric emergency centers. Average base salary Data source tooltip for average base salary. What does a Psychiatric Technician Do? They excel at socializing, helping others, and teaching. They typically work as a medical team that may include physicians, psychiatrists, nurses and more. They tend to be social individuals, which means they’re kind, generous, cooperative, patient, caring, helpful, empathetic, tactful, and friendly. Top Answer. Copyright © 2020 PsychologySchoolGuide.net. Filter by location to see Psychiatric Technician salaries in your area. Psychiatric technicians work in psychiatric hospitals, residential mental health facilities, and related healthcare settings. 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