What Does it Take to Be a Psychiatric Aide?
Career Description 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.
Life As a Psychiatric Aide
- Perform nursing duties, such as administering medications, measuring vital signs, collecting specimens, or drawing blood samples.
- Maintain patients’ restrictions to assigned areas.
- Work as part of a team that may include psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, or social workers.
- Provide patients with assistance in bathing, dressing, or grooming, demonstrating these skills as necessary.
- Serve meals or feed patients needing assistance or persuasion.
- Organize, supervise, or encourage patient participation in social, educational, or recreational activities.
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Qualities of a Psychiatric Aide
Psychiatric Aides state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Other Psychiatric Aide Job Titles
- Health Service Worker
- Mental Health Program Assistant
- Patient Care Assistant (PCA)
- Clinical Assistant
- Residential Counselor
Psychiatric Aide Job Outlook
There were about 73,600 jobs for Psychiatric Aide in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 4,100 new jobs for Psychiatric Aide by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 8,800 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Psychiatric Aide are Tennessee, Arkansas, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Georgia, New Jersey, or New Hampshire. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Psychiatric Aide Average Salary
Psychiatric Aides make between $19,830 and $46,490 a year.
Psychiatric Aides who work in Minnesota, New York, or Hawaii, make the highest salaries.
How much do Psychiatric Aides make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $26,680 |
| Alaska | $42,550 |
| Arkansas | $24,950 |
| California | $32,660 |
| Colorado | $33,460 |
| Connecticut | $37,040 |
| Florida | $25,890 |
| Hawaii | $41,940 |
| Idaho | $34,860 |
| Illinois | $26,480 |
| Indiana | $28,030 |
| Iowa | $36,670 |
| Kansas | $25,130 |
| Kentucky | $29,970 |
| Louisiana | $23,580 |
| Maine | $30,430 |
| Maryland | $31,270 |
| Massachusetts | $33,690 |
| Michigan | $34,090 |
| Minnesota | $44,910 |
| Mississippi | $19,970 |
| Missouri | $28,170 |
| Montana | $29,350 |
| Nebraska | $36,580 |
| Nevada | $37,920 |
| New Hampshire | $37,950 |
| New Jersey | $38,910 |
| New Mexico | $33,180 |
| New York | $43,520 |
| North Carolina | $28,730 |
| Ohio | $34,300 |
| Oklahoma | $21,520 |
| Oregon | $39,570 |
| Pennsylvania | $35,450 |
| Rhode Island | $39,260 |
| Tennessee | $23,500 |
| Texas | $27,840 |
| Utah | $29,360 |
| Vermont | $34,780 |
| Virginia | $27,480 |
| Washington | $37,640 |
| West Virginia | $22,430 |
What Tools & Technology do Psychiatric Aides Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Psychiatric Aides:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Data entry software
- Email software
- Microsoft Windows
Becoming a Psychiatric Aide
What kind of Psychiatric Aide requirements are there?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Psychiatric Aide?
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References:
Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Katie Spencer via Public domain
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