What does a Psychiatric Technician do?
Psychiatric technicians are the support staff working in the mental health care field. They are employed in locations including hospitals, private institutions, or patient residences. They observe and report patient behavior, moods, and their general well-being. They are responsible for ensuring patients are comfortable during and between their treatments and provide needed hands-on care for people with mental disabilities or mental illnesses.
Psychiatric technicians provide transportation to and from treatment and some are tasked with bathing, dressing, and feeding patients based upon their individual abilities. They track patients’ behavioral changes if necessary to help health care providers get a better understanding of the patient's behavior patterns. They measure vital signs and take samples of bodily fluids including urine if needed or requested by the health care provider. They administer medication and conduct recreational and therapeutic activities. Psychiatric technicians need certification or an associate’s degree in psychiatric or mental health technology, certification in CPR, and a license when required by the state.
- Assist with physical care under the direction of a RN.
- Recognize changes in patient status and reports to charge nurse.
- Contribute to the achievement of quality care and positive patient outcomes.
- Supervise, observe, transport and assist clients during assigned shifts.
- Perform observation and monitoring of assigned patients on a one-to-one basis.
- Establish therapeutic rapport and maintain appropriate boundaries with patients.
- Take patients' vital signs upon admission and per doctor's orders.
- Perform unit support activities as needed and directed by manager or designee.
- Attend report at change of shift as assigned.
- Assist in daily self-care activities, including training on personal hygiene
- Provide one-on-one instruction for children diagnosed with a pervasive developmental disorder.
- Estimate the quantities of resource materials needed to conduct treatment mall classes based on number of groups and number of participants in each group.
- Ensure clients are adhering and attending their daily schedule of activity.
- Assist with follow-up and paperwork as required on incidents and events that may take place in the facility.
- Participate in various therapeutic activities such as role playing, behavior modification, modeling, reality orientation, etc.
- Monitor and maintain a safe living environment.
- conduct safety checks and ensuring that supervision is conducted at 15 minute intervals, as noted in special precautions, or in accordance with individualized supervision guidelines as needed.
- Be alert and ensure safety of staff and participants
- Report all medical concerns to the proper colleagues.
- Responsible for the maintenance and stocking the medication cart and other areas associated with the self-administration of medications to the inmates.
- Bachelor's or Graduate's Degree in applied sciences, behavior sciences, exercise science, psychology or information technology, or equivalent experience.
- Strong command of English language and good communication skills.
- Demonstrates excellent leadership and collaboration abilities, along with solid time management and problem solving skills.
- Advanced understanding of HIPAA regulations.
- BCBA certification is preferred.
- CPR training required.
Psychiatric Technician Salaries
Average Base Pay
Psychiatric Technician Career Path
Learn how to become a Psychiatric Technician, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Psychiatric Technician Insights
Midwest Recovery Center“Everything is great here and I have never been happier to go to work!!”
East Alabama Mental Health“Overtime is unlimited (time and a half) and you get holiday pay double your pay per hour.”
CenterPointe“You get to help people and the job is never the same day to day.”
Action Behavior Centers - ABA Therapy for Autism“Despite all this many of the therapists at the Cedar Park location are top notch and really try their best.”
Advanced Behavioral Health“Training was minimal and did not prepare me for what I was expected to do.”
Monte Nido & Affiliates“The staff is what makes coming into work enjoyable and I have made some of my best friends there.”
Western Mental Health Institute“You get certified in CPR. 3. Really good insurance options to choose from for pretty low rates.”
Northern Light Health“If you have a good team then you really can have great days and it's nice to see patients get better.”
Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of a Psychiatric Technician
- Therapist
- Mental Health Therapist
- Outpatient Therapist
- Behavior Therapist