A mental health technician is an important member of the care team in psychiatric hospitals and other facilities that treat people who have severe mental illnesses. If someone wants to work in this field, they can usually choose between two levels of training. Some people can become mental health aides or psychiatric aides with only a few weeks of training, and sometimes only on-the-job training. Although psychiatric technician, psychiatric aide, and mental health technician are sometimes used interchangeably, the title of mental health technician is usually reserved for those with more extensive training in the field.
A high school diploma is required for most people who want to work as a mental health technician. Taking some electives in high school if you want to work with the mentally ill may help you prepare for further study in this field. Understanding some of the fundamentals of mental illness may be aided taking a psychology course. Peer counseling programs can be a great place to start when it comes to developing good interpersonal skills. It’s also important to stay in shape, as technicians must be physically fit and able to move quickly.
There are a variety of options for getting training after high school graduation. Many community colleges and vocational schools offer certificate or degree programs to assist people in their training. It’s possible that this training will not lead to certification as a mental health technician. Students must obtain certification as a nursing assistant at the very least, which allows them to work in most hospitals and care facilities. This certification may be offered as part of a mental health technician training program at a community college or vocational school.
In most states, however, there is no specific mental health technician certification. People who have completed nursing assistant training can work as psychiatric aides and learn on the job. Participating in a training program can still be beneficial because the technician enters the workforce with a better understanding of how to perform his or her job.
Participating in a training program specific to assisting the mentally ill or impaired, even if it does not result in certification, is beneficial because the technician gains a better understanding of the community he or she serves. More studies may also provide a competitive advantage in the job market. Patient care, psychology, counseling, mental illness, and psychopharmacology are some of the likely courses in vocational and community college programs for becoming a mental health technician. A year of training in these programs is typical, and two years may be required if an associate’s degree is earned. Some online training programs exist, but they may or may not include practical studies (practice), which is an important part of the learning process.
The majority of people want to know what kind of work they’ll be doing as a mental health technician. Direct patient care, such as assisting with cleaning and bathing, as well as direct patient contact, such as talking with and observing patients to ensure their safety and comfort, are all examples of this. Strength may be required in this field, as it may be necessary to subdue agitated patients on occasion.
The pay is a major drawback for many people considering a career as a mental health technician. In the mid-2000s, the median hourly wage was $11 US Dollars (USD). This is a low number because the job entails some physical risks, particularly when caring for a volatile population. Extra training may help increase salary, but given the financial and time costs of additional training, some people prefer a higher-paying profession.