National
| Median wages (2008) |
$12.77 hourly, $26,560 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
62,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Little or no change (-2% to 2%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
6,000 additional employees |
31-1013.00 - Psychiatric Aides
Assist mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed patients, working under direction of nursing and medical staff.
Sample of reported job titles:
Residential Counselor, Mental Health Worker, Therapeutic Program Worker (TPW), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Mental Health Technician, Nursing Assistant, Developmental Aide, Psychiatric Aide, Psychiatric Nursing Aide
Tasks
- Monitor patients in order to detect unusual behavior, and report observations to professional staff.
- Provide mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed patients with routine physical, emotional, psychological or rehabilitation care under the direction of nursing and medical staff.
- Record and maintain records of patient condition and activity, including vital signs, eating habits, and behavior.
- Work as part of a team that may include psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses and social workers.
- Aid patients in becoming accustomed to hospital routine.
- Organize, supervise, and encourage patient participation in social, educational, and recreational activities.
- Perform nursing duties such as administering medications, measuring vital signs, collecting specimens and drawing blood samples.
- Serve meals, and feed patients needing assistance or persuasion.
- Restrain or aid patients as necessary to prevent injury.
- Interview patients upon admission and record information.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Bedpans for general use — Bedpans |
| Blood collection syringes |
| Enema kits or accessories — Enema administration kits |
| Specimen collectors — Specimen collection containers |
| Urinalysis test strips — Urinalysis kits |
| Vacuum blood collection tubes or containers — Evacuated blood collection tubes |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Data base user interface and query software — Data entry software |
| Electronic mail software — Email software |
| Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel |
| Word processing software — Microsoft Word |
