Psychiatric Technicians and Aides

Psychiatric technicians and aides care for people who have mental or emotional conditions or developmental disabilities. Technicians typically monitor patients’ conditions and provide therapeutic care, such as overseeing their medications. Aides help patients in their daily activities and ensure a safe and clean environment.

Duties

Psychiatric technicians, sometimes called mental health technicians, typically do the following:

• Listen to patients' concerns, observe their behavior, and record their condition
• Report changes in patient health or behavior to medical staff
• Lead patients in therapeutic and recreational activities
• Provide medications and other treatments to patients, following instructions from doctors and other medical professionals
• Help with patient intake and discharge
• Monitor patients’ vital signs, such as their blood pressure and body temperature
• Help patients with daily living activities, including eating and bathing
• Restrain patients who are or may become physically violent

Psychiatric aides typically do the following:

• Monitor patients’ behavior and location in a mental healthcare facility
• Escort patients within a facility
• Help patients with daily living activities, such as bathing and dressing
• Serve meals and help patients eat
• Keep facilities clean by doing tasks such as changing bed linens
• Participate in or accompany patients to group activities, such as recreational sports or field trips
• Restrain patients who are or may become physically violent

Some psychiatric technicians and aides provide care to patients who have severe developmental disabilities or mental health issues. Others work with patients undergoing rehabilitation for drug and alcohol addiction. Their work varies based on the types of patients they work with.

Psychiatric technicians and aides work as part of a medical team under the direction of physicians or registered nurses. Other team members may include psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, and therapists. For more information about the counselors and therapists they may work with, see the profiles on substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, rehabilitation counselors, and marriage and family therapists.

Psychiatric aides held about 38,500 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of psychiatric aides were as follows:

Psychiatric technicians held about 144,500 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of psychiatric technicians were as follows:

Psychiatric technicians and aides may need to stand for long periods, and the work can be physically demanding. Some of their tasks are unpleasant, and it can be challenging to care for patients who are disoriented, uncooperative, or violent.

Despite their work’s challenges, however, psychiatric technicians and aides may find it rewarding. For example, their close contact with patients allows technicians and aides to have a positive influence on patients’ outlook and treatment.

Injuries and Illnesses

Psychiatric technicians and aides have some of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Common injuries may include sprains and strains, such as from lifting and turning patients. Injuries also may result from working with patients who are physically uncooperative.

Psychiatric technicians and aides learn proper lifting techniques to minimize their risk of injury. In addition, these workers receive safety training to help with handling patients who may be a danger to themselves or others.

Work Schedule

Most psychiatric technicians and aides work full time, but part-time work is common. Because hospitals and residential facilities operate 24 hours a day, psychiatric technicians and aides may work nights, weekends, and holidays.

To enter the occupation, psychiatric technicians typically need a postsecondary certificate, and aides need at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Some states require technicians to be licensed. Both technicians and aides get on-the-job training.

The median annual wage for psychiatric aides was $41,590 in May 2024.

The median annual wage for psychiatric technicians was $42,590 in May 2024.

Overall employment of psychiatric technicians and aides is projected to grow 16 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 21,200 openings for psychiatric technicians and aides are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.