Occupation: Psychiatric Technicians

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.

29-2053.00 | 16 tasks | 10 job titles
Reported Job Titles (10)
  • BHT (Behavioral Health Technician)
  • Health Care Technician (Health Care Tech)
  • LPT (Licensed Psychiatric Technician)
  • Mental Health Associate
  • Mental Health Specialist
  • Mental Health Technician (MHT)
  • MHA (Mental Health Assistant)
  • MHW (Mental Health Worker)
  • Psychiatric Technician (PT)
  • Residential Aide (RA)
Core Tasks (12)
  • Provide nursing, psychiatric, or personal care to patients with cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities.
  • Encourage patients to develop work skills and to participate in social, recreational, or other therapeutic activities that enhance interpersonal skills or develop social relationships.
  • Restrain violent, potentially violent, or suicidal patients by verbal or physical means as required.
  • Lead prescribed individual or group therapy sessions as part of specific therapeutic procedures.
  • Monitor patients' physical and emotional well-being and report unusual behavior or physical ailments to medical staff.
  • Take and record measures of patients' physical condition, using devices such as thermometers or blood pressure gauges.
  • Observe and influence patients' behavior, communicating and interacting with them and teaching, counseling, or befriending them.
  • Aid patients in performing tasks, such as bathing or keeping beds, clothing, or living areas clean.
  • Collaborate with or assist doctors, psychologists, or rehabilitation therapists in working with patients with cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities to treat, rehabilitate, and return patients to the community.
  • Develop or teach strategies to promote client wellness and independence.
  • Train or instruct new employees on procedures to follow with psychiatric patients.
  • Escort patients to medical appointments.
Supplemental Tasks (4)
  • Administer oral medications or hypodermic injections, following physician's prescriptions and hospital procedures.
  • Issue medications from dispensary and maintain records in accordance with specified procedures.
  • Interview new patients to complete admission forms, to assess their mental health status, or to obtain their mental health and treatment history.
  • Contact patients' relatives to arrange family conferences.