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Mental Health Technician
Mental health technicians, also called psychiatric aides, work with mentally retarded, emotionally disturbed, or psychiatric patients under the supervision of a psychiatrist, psychologist, registered nurse or social worker. They participate in the development and implementation of therapeutic treatment plans for emotionally disabled patients. Treatment plans include recreational, occupational and readjustment activities. The technician participates in group therapy with patients and their families, refers patients to community agencies, and visits patients after their release from an institution.
The mental health technician attends to patients' physical needs and well being.
| Some of their responsibilities might include: |
| • | Interviewing patients and their families |
| • | Gathering and recording data |
| • | Providing behavior modification counseling in individual or group sessions |
| • | Instructing patients in social skills, basic physical care and to function independently (such as balancing a checkbook or simply using household appliances) |
Mental health technicians are employed in private and public mental health hospitals or on the psychiatric wards of general hospitals, mental health clinics, schools for the mentally retarded, drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinics, nursing homes, community agencies and human services programs. In a hospital setting, the mental health technician may perform routine nursing tasks such as taking pulse, blood pressure and respiration rates.
Job Outlook
Career opportunities look good for mental health technicians as a result of the present trend of returning once-hospitalized patients to various community health programs.
Educational Requirements
Programs are generally one or two years of specialized study, based at a hospital or community college. Students attending a community college program will receive an associate degree in mental health technology. In Illinois, mental health technicians hired through the civil service receive on-the-job training.
Courses include psychiatric nursing, general and abnormal psychology, child development and growth, mental health technology, group dynamics, sociology, and personality and social development.
Educational Programs - Chicago Area
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