Occupation

Psychiatric Aides

Human Advantage 73%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
3.2 / 10

Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.

Assist mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed patients, working under direction of nursing and medical staff. May assist with daily living activities, lead patients in educational and recreational activities, or accompany patients to and from examinations and treatments. May restrain violent patients. Includes psychiatric orderlies.

Also Known As: BHA (Behavioral Health Aide), Behavior Aide, Behavior Assistant, Behavior Intervention Assistant, Behavior Support Assistant, Behavioral Aide, Behavioral Assistant, Behavioral Health Assistant +23 more

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Core Tasks

  1. Listen and provide emotional support and encouragement to psychiatric patients.
  2. Provide patients with cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities with routine physical, emotional, psychological, or rehabilitation care under the direction of nursing or medical staff.
  3. Complete physical checks and monitor patients to detect unusual or harmful behavior and report observations to professional staff.
  4. Restrain or aid patients as necessary to prevent injury.
  5. Work as part of a team that may include psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, or social workers.
  6. Record and maintain patient information, such as vital signs, eating habits, behavior, progress notes, treatments, or discharge plans.
  7. Maintain patients' restrictions to assigned areas.
  8. Organize, supervise, or encourage patient participation in social, educational, or recreational activities.
  9. Provide patients with assistance in bathing, dressing, or grooming, demonstrating these skills as necessary.
  10. Aid patients in becoming accustomed to hospital routines.
  11. Serve meals or feed patients needing assistance or persuasion.
  12. Clean and disinfect rooms and furnishings to maintain a safe and orderly environment.
  13. Complete administrative tasks, such as entering orders into computer, answering telephone calls, or maintaining medical or facility information.
  14. Accompany patients to and from wards for medical or dental treatments, shopping trips, or religious or recreational events.
  15. Participate in recreational activities with patients, including card games, sports, or television viewing.

Supplemental Tasks (2)

  1. Perform nursing duties, such as administering medications, measuring vital signs, collecting specimens, or drawing blood samples.
  2. Interview patients upon admission and record information.

Education & Training

Job Zone 2 Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Some College Courses
46%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
24%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
16%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
10%
Bachelor's Degree
4%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Word

Software (8)

  • Email software
  • Patient management software

Tools & Equipment (18)

  • Automatic blood pressure cuffs
  • Bedpans
  • Blood collection syringes
  • Desktop computers
  • Digital patient thermometers
  • Enema equipment
  • Evacuated blood collection tubes
  • Hydraulic patient lifts
  • Intubation suctioning kits
  • Multi-line telephone systems
  • Oxygen delivery masks
  • Patient restraints
  • Personal computers
  • Safety razors
  • Specimen collection containers
  • Two way radios
  • Urinalysis test strips
  • Wheelchairs

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Physical Health Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 2
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