Psychiatric Technicians

The work

Core tasks

1. 01Provide nursing, psychiatric, or personal care to patients with cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities.
2. 02Encourage patients to develop work skills and to participate in social, recreational, or other therapeutic activities that enhance interpersonal skills or develop social relationships.
3. 03Restrain violent, potentially violent, or suicidal patients by verbal or physical means as required.
4. 04Lead prescribed individual or group therapy sessions as part of specific therapeutic procedures.
5. 05Monitor patients' physical and emotional well-being and report unusual behavior or physical ailments to medical staff.
6. 06Take and record measures of patients' physical condition, using devices such as thermometers or blood pressure gauges.
7. 07Observe and influence patients' behavior, communicating and interacting with them and teaching, counseling, or befriending them.
8. 08Aid patients in performing tasks, such as bathing or keeping beds, clothing, or living areas clean.
9. 09Collaborate with or assist doctors, psychologists, or rehabilitation therapists in working with patients with cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities to treat, rehabilitate, and return patients to the community.
10. 10Develop or teach strategies to promote client wellness and independence.
11. 11Train or instruct new employees on procedures to follow with psychiatric patients.
12. 12Escort patients to medical appointments.

Capabilities

Essential skills

Employment outlook

Where the role is heading