Psychiatric technicians are among a team of health care workers dealing with mentally, emotionally or developmentally disabled individuals. They help sufferers of depression, schizophrenia, dementia and other conditions with hygiene and the administering of medication, among other duties.

Support

Psychiatric techs work closely with patients, treating each with care and concern as they monitor their progress, and consult with a psychiatrist on which behavioral interventions, counseling, group therapy or medicine is best for a specific individual.

Certification

According to the American Association of Psychiatric Technicians, an aspiring psychiatric technician must attain one of four levels of certification through the AAPT. Level one requires a high school diploma or GED. Each subsequent level requires more education and expertise, says the AAPT, with Level four requiring "a bachelor's degree in a mental health or developmental disabilities field" and three or more years of related work experience.

Salary

According to 2008 wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), psychiatric technicians made from $23,000 to $51,000, depending on the industry and certification level.

Top-Paying Industries

The top-paying industries for psychiatric technicians, according to the BLS, are institutions of higher learning; local governments; nursing care facilities; and health practitioners' offices.

Largest Employer

Most psychiatric technicians---more than 25,000---work at psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals, earning about $32,000 per year, according to 2008 BLS data.

Source:

Job Profiles: Psychiatric Technicians

American Association of Psychiatric Technicians

Degree Finders: How to Become a Psychiatric Technician

More Information:

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Psychiatric Technicians