Those psychiatric technicians with more training may have more clinically focused tasks such as interviewing new patients, monitoring patient progress, and helping to determine treatment plans alongside other mental health professionals. Psychiatric and mental health technicians are not federally licensed, although a few states do have licensing requirements through their respective boards of nursing.
In most states, entry-level jobs as psychiatric technicians or aides are available without any type of certification or even specific education. However, there are still academic programs available for those that want to have a head start in the job market. The job outlook for mental health technicians is not as strong as some other healthcare professions.
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data BLS the expected growth rate is a bit slower than the average for all jobs, at just 6 percent compared to 7 percent for all jobs. Still, there are opportunities for technicians who want to gain experience in the mental health field and who are willing to work odd hours in order to gain the satisfaction that only comes from making a real difference in the lives of others.
In many states, entry-level work as a psychiatric and mental health technician does not require any type of degree or formal training. These programs can provide a good foundation in basic anatomy and biology as well as the beginnings of psychiatric training that will be necessary to rely upon in a technician job.
Some programs offer associate of science AS degrees while others culminate in certification with no degree. The following is a selection of psychiatric and mental health technician training programs in the U.
Students will take courses in psychiatric technology, nursing science, and behavioral science. To earn the optional AS degree, students must also take required core classes. Cypress College Certificate : The psychiatric technician certificate program at Cypress College in Cypress, California consists of 53 credit hours, including prerequisites and electives.
Students have the option of completing additional general education courses in order to earn their AS degree. Pueblo Community College Certificate : With four campuses across western Colorado, the Pueblo Community College program is ideal for residents of that region. At just two semesters, this psychiatric technician certificate program is also quite brief. Students will learn the basics necessary to work as a psychiatric technician in Colorado including basic nursing skills and psychiatric concepts.
Or, they might identify a group of lower-risk patients to work with. While performing periodic wellness checks on their patient s , they might find a patient in crisis. They must keep the patient calm, call for help, or physically restrain the patient if necessary. Many psych techs also perform duties similar to a nurse. They give drugs, measure vital statistics, and observe patient behaviors. They record all this data for doctors and psychiatrists.
Some techs may also help conduct group therapy. Experienced psych techs manage patient intake procedures, work with doctors or psychiatrists to design care plans, and evaluate treatment. Administrative work, such as maintaining case notes and other record-keeping duties, are also common for high-level psych techs.
Some psychiatric techs work at facilities for children. Working with children may take greater patience than working with adults. Thus, one-on-one communication is critical. Psych techs who work with children will typically incorporate fun things like therapeutic films to patient treatment plans.
Because they work so closely with patients, psych techs can help doctors quickly identify problematic changes in patient behavior. This is especially important in residential care facilities where patients may be at risk of harming themselves or others.
Beyond specific job descriptions are the responsibilities and professional behavior that our society entrusts psychiatric technicians to engage in. A group of psychiatric technicians in California created a code of ethics that describes the primary values and ethical standards that psychiatric technicians should follow.
Psychiatric technicians work in facilities that treat people with mental illness or disabilities. This includes a wide variety of settings. Some techs work in private facilities, while others are employed in government-run centers.
Some choose to work in facilities operated by religious groups, while others prefer secular workplaces. Some facilities only treat patients within a narrow range of criteria, such as age, while others treat a wide range of patients. Typically, psychiatric technicians work in residential facilities—meaning patients live there. These include treatment centers, psychiatric hospitals, and group homes.
However, outpatient facilities also employ psych techs. Some examples of workplaces frequently employing psych techs include:. The mean annual salary for a psychiatric technician in the U. However, this salary can vary greatly depending on location and industry. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Some states require psychiatric technicians to be licensed. To attain a license, candidates must meet minimum education requirements which vary by state , pass an exam, and pay licensing fees.
In states that do not require licensure, professionals may seek voluntary certifications offered by the American Association of Psychiatric Technicians, which awards four levels of credentials. Attaining certification can help psychiatric technicians widen opportunities for employment and advancement by demonstrating their knowledge of the fundamental concepts associated with the profession.
Some employers require psychiatric technicians to complete on-the-job training before they can start work. The amount of time spent in training can vary from a few weeks to several months. Psychiatric technicians typically participate in a variety of training exercises during this time, including attending lectures, workshops, and in-service training, as well as receiving direct training from experienced professionals.
A career as a psychiatric technician offers a myriad of opportunities for advancement. Psychiatric technicians who have many years of experience may advance to supervisory positions. Additionally, those who have demonstrated superior knowledge, skills, and passion about psychiatry have the potential to move beyond administering therapeutic care to other related positions, such as nursing or psychiatric therapy.
In most cases, additional academic training is required. Additionally, the BLS reports that the top three states with the highest employment rates for psychiatric technicians are California, Florida, and Texas. Google Tag Manager. Close Nav. Psychiatric Technician. About the Psychiatric Technician Profession A Psychiatric Technician is trained to care for mentally disordered and developmentally disabled clients.
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