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Psychiatric Technicians - 29-2053.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Care for individuals with mental or emotional conditions or disabilities, following the instructions of physicians or other health practitioners. Monitor patients' physical and emotional well-being and report to medical staff. May participate in rehabilitation and treatment programs, help with personal hygiene, and administer oral or injectable medications.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • BHT (Behavioral Health Technician)
  • Health Care Technician (Health Care Tech)
  • LPT (Licensed Psychiatric Technician)
  • Mental Health Associate
  • Mental Health Specialist
  • Mental Health Technician (MHT)
  • MHA (Mental Health Assistant)
  • MHW (Mental Health Worker)
  • Psychiatric Technician (PT)
  • Residential Aide (RA)

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Administer oral medications or hypodermic injections, following physician's prescriptions and hospital procedures.
  • Aid patients in performing tasks, such as bathing or keeping beds, clothing, or living areas clean.
  • Collaborate with or assist doctors, psychologists, or rehabilitation therapists in working with mentally ill, emotionally disturbed, or developmentally disabled patients to treat, rehabilitate, and return patients to the community.
  • Contact patients' relatives to arrange family conferences.
  • Develop or teach strategies to promote client wellness and independence.
  • Encourage patients to develop work skills and to participate in social, recreational, or other therapeutic activities that enhance interpersonal skills or develop social relationships.
  • Escort patients to medical appointments.
  • Interview new patients to complete admission forms, to assess their mental health status, or to obtain their mental health and treatment history.
  • Issue medications from dispensary and maintain records in accordance with specified procedures.
  • Lead prescribed individual or group therapy sessions as part of specific therapeutic procedures.
  • Monitor patients' physical and emotional well-being and report unusual behavior or physical ailments to medical staff.
  • Observe and influence patients' behavior, communicating and interacting with them and teaching, counseling, or befriending them.
  • Provide nursing, psychiatric, or personal care to mentally ill, emotionally disturbed, or mentally retarded patients.
  • Restrain violent, potentially violent, or suicidal patients by verbal or physical means as required.
  • Take and record measures of patients' physical condition, using devices such as thermometers or blood pressure gauges.
  • Train or instruct new employees on procedures to follow with psychiatric patients.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Administer intravenous medications.
  • Administer non-intravenous medications.
  • Assist healthcare practitioners during examinations or treatments.
  • Assist patients with hygiene or daily living activities.
  • Care for patients with mental illnesses.
  • Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.
  • Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals.
  • Encourage patients or clients to develop life skills.
  • Examine patients to assess general physical condition.
  • Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care.
  • Interact with patients to build rapport or provide emotional support.
  • Maintain inventory of medical supplies or equipment.
  • Maintain medical facility records.
  • Move patients to or from treatment areas.
  • Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.
  • Perform clerical work in medical settings.
  • Position patients for treatment or examination.
  • Record patient medical histories.
  • Teach health management classes.
  • Train medical providers.
  • Treat patients using psychological therapies.

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Behavioral Health Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Behavioral Health Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Behavioral Sciences (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychologist (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychology (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Dental Assistant (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Craftsman, Dental Hygienist (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Journeyman, Dental Hygienist (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Craftsman, Health Information Technology (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Journeyman, Health Information Technology (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Technician (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Hospital Corpsman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Medical Administration Specialty (Coast Guard - Warrant Officer only)
  • Medical Service Corps Officer (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Mental Health Nurse (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Mental Health Service (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Service (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Service Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Service Apprentice (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Service Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Service Craftsman (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Service Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Service Helper (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Service Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Service Journeyman (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Service Manager (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Service Manager (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Service Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Service Superintendent (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Nurse Corps Officer (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Psychiatric/Behavioral Health Nurse (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Psychiatric/Behavioral Health Nurse Practitioner (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Psychiatrist (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Psychiatrist (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Psychiatrist (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Psychiatrist, Addictions Psychiatry (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Psychiatrist, Child Psychiatry (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Psychiatrist, Forensic Psychiatry (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Psychiatrist, Neuropsychiatry (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Psychiatrist, Psychosomatic Psychiatry (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Psychiatry Technician (Navy - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

  • Counselor

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Psychiatric Technician