Psychiatric Aides

social interests patient treatment nursing emotional support assistance recreational activity mentally impaired patients medical staff

Mental Health Worker (MHW), Psychiatric Aide, Residential Care Tech (Residential Care Technician), Therapeutic Program Worker (TPW)

Where in the military? Select a military branch to see samples.
Mental Health Service; Mental Health Service Apprentice; Mental Health Service Craftsman; Mental Health Service Helper; Mental Health Service Journeyman; Mental Health Service Manager; Mental Health Service Superintendent
Behavioral Health Specialist; Nurse Corps Officer; Psychiatric/Behavioral Health Nurse Practitioner; Psychiatrist
No similar titles were found. No similar titles were found.
Behavioral Health Technician
No similar titles were found.
What they 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.
On the job, you would:
  • Listen and provide emotional support and encouragement to psychiatric patients.
  • Provide mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed patients with routine physical, emotional, psychological, or rehabilitation care under the direction of nursing or medical staff.
  • Complete physical checks and monitor patients to detect unusual or harmful behavior and report observations to professional staff.

Knowledge

Math and Science

  • psychology
  • sociology and anthropology

Business

  • customer service
  • administrative services

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Health

  • therapy and counseling

Skills

Basic Skills

  • talking to others
  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements

Social

  • looking for ways to help people
  • understanding people's reactions

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Ideas and Logic

  • notice when problems happen
  • use rules to solve problems

Attention

  • pay attention to something without being distracted

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include helping people, teaching, and talking.

They do well at jobs that need:

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

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Electronic mail software

  • Email software
  • Microsoft Outlook Hot Technology

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel Hot Technology

Education

Education: (rated 2 of 5)
some college or
high school diploma/GED
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training
Find Licenses
Apprenticeship.gov

Job Outlook

Bright
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
Local Salary Info
Find Jobs
See more details at O*NET OnLine about psychiatric aides.