Patient care technician vs behavioral health technician

The differences between patient care technicians and behavioral health technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a behavioral health technician has an average salary of $34,611, which is higher than the $32,806 average annual salary of a patient care technician.

The top three skills for a patient care technician include patients, vital signs and phlebotomy. The most important skills for a behavioral health technician are patients, behavioral health, and crisis intervention.

Patient care technician vs behavioral health technician overview

	Patient Care Technician	Behavioral Health Technician
Yearly salary	$32,806	$34,611
Hourly rate	$15.77	$16.64
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	167,520	99,503
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 27%	Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age	34	34
Years of experience	-	-

What does a patient care technician do?

Patient care technicians are medical workers who work in clinics, hospitals, or other medical facilities under the supervision of doctors or other health professionals. They provide assistance to health professionals and patients. They help patients with mobility concerns get into hospital beds, bathrooms, wheelchairs, and more. They also help patients with their physical therapy sessions and other physical needs. They handle patient concerns and communicate these to attending physicians. They may be assigned to administer basic medical procedures such as checking vital signs and collecting samples from patients, among others.

What does a behavioral health technician do?

A behavioral health technician participates in treating patients with behavioral problems caused by mental health issues. They are primarily responsible for monitoring the behavior of the patient, following the guidelines of treatment from a mental health professional, and regularly reporting any progress or problems. Moreover, a behavioral health technician must also carry out administrative tasks, which include producing reports and assessments, answering inquiries and correspondence, maintaining schedules, and keeping records. Furthermore, it is essential to give emotional support to a patient, providing them with a safe and healthy environment at all times.

Patient care technician vs behavioral health technician salary

Patient care technicians and behavioral health technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Patient Care Technician	Behavioral Health Technician
Average salary	$32,806	$34,611
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $43,000	Between $25,000 And $47,000
Highest paying City	Rochester, NH	Rochester, NY
Highest paying state	Vermont	California
Best paying company	Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center	University of California, Berkeley
Best paying industry	Health Care	Non Profits

Differences between patient care technician and behavioral health technician education

There are a few differences between a patient care technician and a behavioral health technician in terms of educational background:

	Patient Care Technician	Behavioral Health Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 27%	Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common major	Nursing	Psychology
Most common college	Emory University	Johns Hopkins University

Patient care technician vs behavioral health technician demographics

Here are the differences between patient care technicians' and behavioral health technicians' demographics:

	Patient Care Technician	Behavioral Health Technician
Average age	34	34
Gender ratio	Male, 19.0% Female, 81.0%	Male, 36.4% Female, 63.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 14.3% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 6.4% White, 51.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	Black or African American, 14.3% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 6.4% White, 51.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	15%	15%

Differences between patient care technician and behavioral health technician duties and responsibilities

Patient care technician example responsibilities.

Manage care and prepare medical records, transcription and supply orders.
Manage daily care of high acuity patients with neurological trauma/disorders and post-surgery.
Qualify to perform patient care responsibilities on catheter patients.
Transport patients using wheelchairs and stretchers and assist patients to ambulate safely.
Assist with transferring patients in and out of wheelchairs, recliners, and stretchers.
Apply protective restraints safely and appropriately, assist in the admission, discharge and transfer of patients as needed.

Behavioral health technician example responsibilities.

Monitor and manage preventative behavior with 2-3 MHA'S team and carry out a constructive routine with patients.
Provide health monitoring, crisis intervention, supervision, and facilitation of group educational/structure activities for consumers (rehabilitation patients).
Train in CPI to handle physically dangerous crisis situations.
Display sensitivity, integrity, compassion and respect towards patients and family members.
Obtain patients' medical history and vital signs; complete EKG's and blood work.
Prepare for HIPAA reviews, ensuring require brochures and pamphlets are available to patients in all clinics.

Patient care technician vs behavioral health technician skills

Common patient care technician skills

Patients, 24%
Vital Signs, 9%
Phlebotomy, 7%
CPR, 6%
Direct Patient Care, 5%
Customer Service, 5%

Common behavioral health technician skills

Patients, 19%
Behavioral Health, 17%
Crisis Intervention, 6%
Social Work, 6%
CPR, 5%
Vital Signs, 4%

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Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Patient Care Technician
Patient Care Technician vs Behavioral Health Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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