Psychiatric Aides

Also Called: Mental Health Worker (MHW), Psychiatric Aide

High School Diploma/GED

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$27,660

Entry Salary

Bright

Job outlook

What Psychiatric Aides do

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.

  • Record and maintain patient information, such as vital signs, eating habits, behavior, progress notes, treatments, or discharge plans.
  • Listen and provide emotional support and encouragement to psychiatric patients.
  • Complete physical checks and monitor patients to detect unusual or harmful behavior and report observations to professional staff.
Industry Areas:

Health Care • Retail Sales and Services

Training Program Areas:

Clinical Medical Assistant • Human Services • Nurse Assistant • Nurse Assistant/Home Health Aide • OCT-Only Health Care • OCT-Only Retail Sales & Service • Patient Care Technician

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Face-to-Face Discussions
  • Exposed to Disease or Infections
  • Physical Proximity
  • Responsible for Others' Health and Safety
  • Contact With Others

Tools

  • Electronic medical thermometers
  • Clinical hydraulic lifts or accessories
  • Bedpans for general use
  • Electronic blood pressure units
  • Razors

Technology

Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Electronic mail software
Email software
Operating system software
Microsoft Windows

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Service Orientation
  • Monitoring
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening

Knowledge

Math and Science
psychology
Arts and Humanities
English language
Business
customer service
Health
therapy and counseling

Education

  • 63% High school diploma or equivalent
  • 16% Some college, no degree
  • 12% Bachelor's degree

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.

What are some related occupations at different educational levels?


Job Training Match

Psychiatric Aides Currently Selected

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

 Job Training Match

Flight Attendants

Educational Level

Post-secondary, non-degree

Neurodiagnostic Technologists

Educational Level

Associate's Degree

 Job Training Match

Exercise Physiologists

Educational Level

Bachelor's Degree

Epidemiologists

Educational Level

Advanced Degree

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Advanced Training

There are currently no advanced training opportunities for this career.

ACT & College

  • Abilene Christian University

    Abilene, TX

  • Acadiana Technical College-Lafayette Campus

    Lafayette, LA

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Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

    • Conventional (Organizer)
    • Realistic (Doer)
    • Social (Helper)

Work Styles

  • Self Control
  • Concern for Others
  • Integrity
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Dependability
  • Social Orientation

Values

  • Relationships
  • Support
  • Independence

Abilities

  • Verbal
  • Ideas and Logic
  • Attention

This is what Psychiatric Aides across the country typically make.

$13.30 / hour
$27,660 /year

Entry Level

$18.83 / hour
$39,160 /year

Median Level

$26.56 / hour
$55,240 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Bright

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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