The Psychiatric Assistant Training Program is designed for students seeking entry-level preparation for the role of Psychiatric Assistant, Mental Health Technician, or pursue a career as a Chemical Dependency Counselor. Psychiatric Assistants assist in treatments and rehabilitation of mentally challenged, developmentally disabled and substance abuse customers. Students will gain the basic skills required for computations, documenting, team collaboration, communication, and client advocacy in the mental health care setting

The Psychiatric Assistant program is taught with a combination of lecture and practical exercises during group sessions and in computer laboratory, and with real world experience during the externship portion of training conducted off-campus at psychiatric, mental health, and counseling facilities.

During the classroom portion of training students will be introduced to a variety of subjects ranging form developmental psychology, psychopathology, substance abuse, medical procedures, assessment and clinical skills, medications and treatments and communication.

Externship sites are typically at psychiatric, mental health and counseling centers.

For an overview of PCI's program please see Psychiatric Assistant Program Overview

Nature of the Work

Nursing and Psychiatric Aides help care for physically or mentally ill, injured, disabled, or infirm individuals confined to hospitals, nursing or residential care facilities, and mental health settings.

Psychiatric Technicians, also known as mental health workers or psychiatric nursing assistants, have the closest contact with psychiatric and addictions patients; they provide physical care, participate in and offer components of the treatment program, and accompany patients to treatments and on outings.

Psychiatric Aides are also known as mental health assistants and psychiatric nursing assistants. They care for mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed individuals. They work under a team that may include psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, social workers, and therapists. In addition to helping patients dress, bathe, groom, and eat, psychiatric aides socialize with them and lead them in educational and recreational activities. Psychiatric aides may play games such as cards with the patients, watch television with them, or participate in group activities such as sports or field trips. They observe patients and report any physical or behavioral signs which might be important for the professional staff to know. They accompany patients to and from wards for examination and treatment. Because they have the closest contact with patients, psychiatric aides have a great deal of influence on their outlook and treatment.

 Employment

Employment of psychiatric aides is expected to rise in response to the sharp increase in the number of older persons—many of whom will require mental health services and the continuing high rates of divorce, alcoholism, drug abuse and child abuse. Employment of aides in outpatient community mental health centers is likely to grow because of increasing public acceptance of formal treatment for drug abuse and alcoholism, and a lessening of the stigma attached to those receiving mental health care services.

Most psychiatric aides worked in psychiatric units of general hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, State and county mental health institutions, counseling centers, family service centers, homes for mentally retarded and psychiatric patients, and community mental health centers. For additional Information on substance abuse, mental health and psychiatric programs in the Dallas/Fort Worth area see the Mental Health Resources Page.

Job Outlook**

Employment of psychiatric aides is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations. The number of jobs for psychiatric aides in hospitals, where half of those in the occupation work, will grow slower than the average due to attempts to contain costs by limiting inpatient psychiatric treatment. Employment in other sectors will rise in response to growth in the number of older persons, many of whom will require mental health services, increasing public acceptance of formal treatment for substance abuse, and a lessening of the stigma attached to those receiving mental health care.

** Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics