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Where do you want to work?
Unpleasant/Angry People
Unpleasant/Hazardous Environment
Repetitive
Stressful
$31,140
Average Salary
Psychiatric technicians typically need postsecondary education, and aides need at least a high school diploma. Both technicians and aides get on-the-job training.
EducationPsychiatric technicians typically have a postsecondary certificate. Often, they have experience as a nursing assistant or a licensed practical nurse and have completed postsecondary education in nursing.
Some psychiatric technicians also may have a postsecondary certificate or associate’s degree in psychiatric or mental health technology. These programs are offered by community colleges and technical schools and include courses in biology, psychology, and counseling. Psychiatric technician programs may include supervised work experience or cooperative programs, in which students gain academic credit for structured work experience.
Psychiatric aides typically need a high school diploma.
TrainingPsychiatric technicians and aides usually have a short period of on-the-job training before they can work without direct supervision.
Training may include working with patients while under the close supervision of an experienced technician or aide. Technicians and aides also may attend workshops, lectures, or inservice training.
Work ExperiencePsychiatric technicians typically need clinical experience, which can be gained by working in occupations such as nursing assistant or licensed practical nurse.
Important QualitiesCompassion. Because psychiatric technicians and aides spend much of their time interacting with patients, they should be caring and want to help people.
Interpersonal skills. Psychiatric technicians and aides often provide ongoing care for patients, so they should be able to develop a rapport with them. Gaining such rapport makes psychiatric technicians and aides better able to treat their patients and evaluate their condition.
Observational skills. Technicians must watch patients closely and be sensitive to any changes in behavior. For their safety and that of their patients, they must recognize signs of discomfort or trouble among patients.
Patience. Working with the mentally ill can be emotionally challenging. Psychiatric technicians and aides must be able to stay calm in stressful situations.
Physical stamina. Psychiatric technicians and aides must be able to lift, move, and sometimes restrain patients. They must also be able to spend much of their time on their feet.
Licenses, Certifications, and RegistrationsMost states do not license psychiatric technicians. California is one of the larger states that does. For those states which license them, technicians usually are required to complete an accredited education program, pass an exam, and pay a fee to be licensed.
Psychiatric aides are not required to be licensed.
The American Association of Psychiatric Technicians offers four levels of certification for psychiatric technicians. The certifications allow technicians to show a high level of professional competency. Requirements vary by certification.
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Average Length of Employment
Top Careers Before Behavioral Technician
Top Careers After Behavioral Technician
Gender
Female
66.3%Male
31.7%Unknown
1.9%Ethnicity
White
78.5%Hispanic or Latino
12.9%Asian
6.6%Unknown
1.4%Black or African American
0.7%Languages Spoken
Spanish
59.3%French
8.5%Mandarin
5.1%Cantonese
3.4%Italian
3.4%Swedish
1.7%Portuguese
1.7%Chinese
1.7%Greek
1.7%Hebrew
1.7%Japanese
1.7%Catalan
1.7%Tagalog
1.7%Urdu
1.7%Arabic
1.7%Korean
1.7%Hmong
1.7%Behavioral Technician
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Schools
Missouri State University
9.3%University of Phoenix
9.3%Capella University
8.3%Western Michigan University
8.3%Liberty University
5.4%University of North Carolina at Wilmington
5.4%California State University - Sacramento
4.9%Walden University
4.9%Nova Southeastern University
4.4%University of Central Florida
4.4%Bellevue University
4.4%Ozarks Technical Community College
3.9%University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
3.9%University of Southern Maine
3.4%University of South Florida
3.4%California State University - Fullerton
3.4%Michigan State University
3.4%Southern New Hampshire University
3.4%Arizona State University
2.9%Florida International University
2.9%Majors
Degrees
Bachelors
47.0%Masters
22.2%Other
18.6%Associate
7.3%Certificate
2.5%Doctorate
1.2%Diploma
0.9%License
0.3%Behavioral Technician
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
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Arc of the Ozarks
Learning Arts
Caravel Autism Health
Spring Harbor Hospital
Centria Healthcare
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Psychiatric Technician, Career Video from drkit.org
Career Advice on becoming a Laboratory Technician by Katherine G (Full Version)
The Life of a Psychiatric Technician