Psychiatric assistants care for and monitor patients in mental health hospitals and group homes, providing daily care, administering medication or therapy, and conducting patient group therapy sessions. They must be prepared for crises and have a basic level of physical strength and fitness. Educational requirements vary, and the demand for psychiatric assistants is relatively low compared to nursing assistants and orderlies.
A psychiatric assistant is a trained mental health professional who has more responsibility than an ordained nurse but less than a doctor. Psychiatric assistants care for and monitor patients in institutional settings such as mental health hospitals and group homes. They can administer medication or therapy, but typically cannot write prescriptions.
Psychiatric assistants allow mental health institutions to provide services even for patients who are unable to care for themselves. Workers in this position escort patients through their facility, directing people with mobility or directional issues. They provide daily care and instruction in basic life functions such as bathing, grooming, dressing and eating.
Also known as psychiatric aides, psychiatric nurse aides, or mental health aides, these workers may socialize with patients and provide recreational or educational activities. Examples include playing sports, playing board or card games with patients, accompanying them on excursions, and watching television with them. These mental health specialists may also conduct patient group therapy sessions.
A psychiatric assistant must be prepared for crises or emergency situations. Persons in this occupation need a basic level of physical strength and fitness because they may be called upon to physically restrain patients who have serious mental illnesses. A psychiatric assistant must also be prepared to intervene in the patient’s crises, monitor the patient’s behavior for signs of trouble, and maintain patient safety.
Under the supervision of a physician, psychiatrist, or other mental health specialist, a psychiatric assistant may administer medication. He or she must also monitor the patients’ progress, noting and reporting information to the physicians. Although psychiatric assistants can evaluate this data and report their findings to physicians, they typically do not have the authority to make decisions about patients’ treatment plans on their own.
This job can involve many tasks that could be considered unpleasant, such as changing bedding, incontinence clothes or dirty bedding. Psychiatric assistant positions require workers to be on their feet for hours at a time and can involve very long shifts. People in this position are often at risk of both minor and major injuries and illnesses. Regular testing and vaccinations can help prevent work-related health problems.
Becoming a psychiatric assistant requires at least a high school diploma or equivalent and may require a college degree. Educational requirements may vary based on the specific scope of work and in accordance with regional and local regulations. Some areas may require workers to complete formal training and earn a certificate in that field. The demand for psychiatric assistants is relatively low compared to the demand for nursing assistants and orderlies. These mental health professionals, however, tend to earn slightly higher salaries than workers in regular medical facilities.
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