Psychiatric Technicians
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.
Common Job Titles
- MHW (Mental Health Worker)
- Mental Health Associate
- Mental Health Technician (MHT)
- Psychiatric Technician (PT)
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generatedKey competencies for this occupation at a glance
- MindsetIntegrate therapeutic relationship principles with patient safety protocols when caring for individuals with mental or emotional conditions in psychiatric care settings.Proficient
- KnowledgeAssess patients' physical and emotional well-being indicators through continuous monitoring and documenting changes for interdisciplinary healthcare teams.Proficient
- MindsetReconcile patient autonomy with safety requirements during crisis situations when resolving conflicts and negotiating behavioral interventions.Proficient
- KnowledgeEvaluate patient behaviors and environmental factors to identify potential risks and determine appropriate interventions in psychiatric care environments.Proficient
- KnowledgeInterpret behavioral cues and social dynamics using social perceptiveness to communicate findings to physicians and healthcare teams.Proficient
- KnowledgeCoordinate multidisciplinary treatment plans and daily care schedules while organizing work priorities and communicating with team members under time constraints.Proficient
- Hands-onPerform medication administration via oral and injectable routes following physician orders and established medication safety protocols.Developing
- Hands-onOperate vital signs monitoring equipment including blood pressure cuffs, thermometers, and oximeters to collect and document patient physiological data in clinical settings.Developing
- KnowledgeApply psychological principles and therapeutic counseling knowledge when participating in rehabilitation and treatment programs for individuals with disabilities.Developing
- MindsetSupport patients' participation in daily living activities and personal hygiene routines while maintaining dignity and promoting independence in institutional care settings.Developing
- Hands-onExecute electronic health record documentation and data entry using clinical software systems including Epic, Cerner, and MEDITECH platforms.Developing
- MindsetEngage patients through active listening and therapeutic communication techniques to build trust and facilitate patient cooperation during care delivery.Developing
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Psychiatric Technicians (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
136,300
Wage Distribution by Percentile
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $32,980. 25th percentile: U.S. $37,170. 50th percentile: U.S. $42,590. 75th percentile: U.S. $48,910. 90th percentile: U.S. $60,150. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
- U.S.
| Metric | U.S. |
|---|---|
| 10% of workers earn the following or less | $32,980 |
| 10% of workers earn the following or more | $60,150 |
| Workers on average earn | $45,000 |
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
- Psychology4.2/5
- Therapy and Counseling4.1/5
- English Language4.1/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.0/5
- Medicine and Dentistry3.7/5
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
In-Demand Technology
Frequently requested by employers in job postings
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
Technology Skills
- ADL Data Systems OptimumClinicals Electronic Health Record
- Allscripts Sunrise
- Cerner ProFile
- Epic EpicCare Inpatient Clinical System
- GE Healthcare Centricity EMR
- ICANotes
- InfoLogix HealthTrax Engine
- MEDITECH Behavioral Health Clinicals
Tools & Equipment
- Bag valve mask BVM resuscitators
- Blood drawing syringes
- Blood pressure cuffs
- Cold therapy equipment
- Crutches
- Desktop computers
- Electronic patient thermometers
- Emergency carts