Psychiatric Technician - A Rising Demand in the Mental Health Field
The medical field is constantly growing yet not growing fast enough in certain areas. In the past few years there is an increasing growth of individuals suffering with dementia, depression, and other mental disorders and disabilities. The growth is somewhat related to people living longer, the changes in our economy, and drugs. Due to this growth there is a higher demand in the medical field for Psychiatric Technicians.
A psychiatric technician plays an important role in the care of individuals suffering from mental illness and disabilities. It can be a very challenging yet rewarding career for some individuals. Because this position works with mentally ill, mentally challenged and/or mentally disabled patients, it’s necessary to be empathetic, have morals and patience to handle this type of career.
The schooling required to become a Psychiatric technician can be accomplished in as little as one to two years for an entry level position. There are different levels of this certification/degree as there is with most health care professions. There are many career advancement opportunities for a Psychiatric technician, and with each advancement comes a better salary and benefits.
A Psychiatric technician has a variety of responsibilities and duties. For instance, they assist the doctors and specialists with patient’s care who are suffering from any type of mental disorder or disability. They are responsible for informing the doctor and/or psychiatrist of any changes or new situations that may arise with the patient.
Some of their duties include monitoring patient’s health, their chart, and their medications. They are responsible for maintaining hygiene care, behavioral management, as well as, individual or group therapy. A Psychiatric technician is responsible for administering medications. It is also their responsibility to stay up to date with new medications and treatments for patients which may include researching this information.
There are many schools that provide training for a Psychiatric technician . Most courses require some hands on training before getting a degree or certification. The number of facilities offering this course of training keeps growing with the demand and is projected to continue to grow each year for at least the next five years.
A Psychiatric technician is a valuable career choice in the medical field of mental health for the right candidate. Job opportunities can include working in mental hospitals, psychiatric clinics, physician’s offices, private care, as well as, government facilities.
