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Healthcare Support

Psychiatric Aides

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Psychiatric Aides
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Median pay

$41,590
Median annual pay for Psychiatric Aides.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

-0.4%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

5,300
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

38,500
Estimated U.S. employment for Psychiatric Aides in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

-100
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Short-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

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Essential skills

  1. 1Speaking
  2. 2Active Listening
  3. 3Monitoring
  4. 4Critical Thinking
  5. 5Active Learning
  6. 6Reading Comprehension

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Psychology
  2. 2Customer and Personal Service
  3. 3Therapy and Counseling
  4. 4English Language
  5. 5Administrative
  6. 6Sociology and Anthropology

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Expression
  2. 2Oral Comprehension
  3. 3Problem Sensitivity
  4. 4Written Comprehension
  5. 5Deductive Reasoning
  6. 6Inductive Reasoning

Career interests

  1. 1Social
  2. 2Investigative
  3. 3Conventional
  4. 4Realistic
  5. 5Artistic
  6. 6Enterprising

Work styles

  1. 1Empathy
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Cooperation
  4. 4Self-Control
  5. 5Stress Tolerance
  6. 6Sincerity

Work activities

  1. 1Getting Information
  2. 2Assisting and Caring for Others
  3. 3Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  4. 4Documenting/Recording Information
  5. 5Training and Teaching Others
  6. 6Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Work context

  1. 1Contact With Others
  2. 2Physical Proximity
  3. 3Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
  4. 4Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  5. 5Exposed to Disease or Infections
  6. 6Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People

Representative tasks

  • Listen and provide emotional support and encouragement to psychiatric patients.
  • Provide patients with cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities 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.
  • Restrain or aid patients as necessary to prevent injury.
  • Work as part of a team that may include psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, or social workers.
  • Record and maintain patient information, such as vital signs, eating habits, behavior, progress notes, treatments, or discharge plans.
  • Maintain patients' restrictions to assigned areas.
  • Organize, supervise, or encourage patient participation in social, educational, or recreational activities.

Software and tools

Microsoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Windows · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyEmail softwarePatient management software

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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