Psychiatric Technicians Go Back to List Care for individuals with mental or emotional conditions or disabilities, following the instructions of physicians or other health practitioners. Monitor patients' physical and emotional well-being and report to medical staff. May participate in rehabilitation and treatment programs, help with personal hygiene, and administer oral or injectable medications.

Technology used in this occupation:
	Medical software

Tasks
	Monitor patients' physical and emotional well-being and report unusual behavior or physical ailments to medical staff.
	Provide nursing, psychiatric, or personal care to mentally ill, emotionally disturbed, or mentally retarded patients.
	Observe and influence patients' behavior, communicating and interacting with them and teaching, counseling, or befriending them.
	Take and record measures of patients' physical condition, using devices such as thermometers or blood pressure gauges.
	Encourage patients to develop work skills and to participate in social, recreational, or other therapeutic activities that enhance interpersonal skills or develop social relationships.
	Collaborate with or assist doctors, psychologists, or rehabilitation therapists in working with mentally ill, emotionally disturbed, or developmentally disabled patients to treat, rehabilitate, and return patients to the community.
	Develop or teach strategies to promote client wellness and independence.
	Restrain violent, potentially violent, or suicidal patients by verbal or physical means as required.
	Aid patients in performing tasks, such as bathing or keeping beds, clothing, or living areas clean.
	Administer oral medications or hypodermic injections, following physician's prescriptions and hospital procedures.

Skills
	Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
	Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
	Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
	Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
	Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
	Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
	Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Knowledge
	Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
	Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
	Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
	Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
	English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
	Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
	Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
	Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
	Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
	Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Search for Jobs on Connecticut's Labor Exchange (CTJOBcentral)
	(Please note that some searches may not produce any results.)

Education & Training   Education:   Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.   Related Experience:   Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

View Related Programs on Connecticut's Education & Training ConneCTion site.

Browse Through a List of Businesses That Employ People With Your Same Skills
	Potential Employer Search

Wage Information
	Region Average Entry Level  Mid-Range  Annual  Hourly  Statewide $57,156.00 $27.48  $20.63  $22.28 - $32.88  Bridgeport/Stamford $58,121.00 $27.94  $21.22  $22.78 - $32.54  Hartford $56,937.00 $27.37  $20.82  $22.28 - $32.88  New Haven $55,369.00 $26.62  $21.19  $23.52 - $30.69  New London/Norwich $57,176.00 $27.49  $21.63  $22.30 - $32.54  Torrington $51,787.00 $24.90  $18.38  $18.71 - $34.15

Occupation Outlook ( 2016 - 2026 ) Average Annual Job Openings:   61   Employment in this occupation is expected to grow more slowly than average, and the number of annual openings will offer somewhat limited job opportunities.

Related Occupations
	Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
	Residential Advisors
	Medical Assistants
	Correctional Officers and Jailers
	Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
	Psychiatric Aides
	Occupational Therapy Assistants
	Physical Therapist Assistants
	Registered Nurses
	Social and Human Service Assistants

	Some of the occupational information on this page is formulated from O*NETTM v17.0 data. O*NETTM is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.