Psychiatric Aides

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Healthcare Support
• O*NET-SOC code: 31-1133
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.
• Provide patients with assistance in bathing, dressing, or grooming, demonstrating these skills as necessary.
• Aid patients in becoming accustomed to hospital routines.
• Serve meals or feed patients needing assistance or persuasion.
• Clean and disinfect rooms and furnishings to maintain a safe and orderly environment.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word, Automatic blood pressure cuffs, Bedpans, Blood collection syringes, Desktop computers, Digital patient thermometers, Email software

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Psychiatric Technicians
• Physical Therapist Aides
• Occupational Therapy Aides
• Home Health Aides
• Occupational Therapy Assistants
• Physical Therapist Assistants
• Nursing Assistants
• Registered Nurses

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Psychiatric Aides — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.