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Psychiatric Aides

Healthcare Support (31-1133)

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

Psychiatric Aides earns a median of $41,590/yr with -0.4% projected growth. Typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent. Top skills: Dependability, Integrity, Cooperation.

Median Annual Wage

$41,590/yr

Projected Growth (2024-34)

-0.4%

Annual Openings

5

Typical Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Skills & Requirements

Skills (8)

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

3.9
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

3.9
Service Orientation

Actively looking for ways to help people.

3.9
Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

3.8
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

3.8
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

3.4
Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

3.3
Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

3.3

Knowledge (2)

Psychology

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

4.1
Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

3.6

Abilities (9)

Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

4.0
Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

3.9
Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

3.9
Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

3.8
Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

3.6
Inductive Reasoning

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

3.5
Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

3.5
Speech Recognition

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

3.4
Information Ordering

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

3.3

Technology (6)

Microsoft Outlook

Category: Electronic mail software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Office software

Category: Office suite software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Excel

Category: Spreadsheet software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Word

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Windows

Category: Operating system software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft PowerPoint

Category: Presentation software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5

Work Activities (18)

Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

4.9
Assisting and Caring for Others

Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

4.7
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

4.5
Training and Teaching Others

Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

4.4
Documenting/Recording Information

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

4.4
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

4.2
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

4.1
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others

Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

4.1
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

4.1
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

4.0
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

3.9
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

3.8
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

3.7
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others

Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

3.7
Thinking Creatively

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

3.7
Developing and Building Teams

Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

3.6
Coaching and Developing Others

Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

3.4
Performing General Physical Activities

Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

3.3

Work Styles (5)

Dependability

A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

5.0
Integrity

A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.

5.0
Cooperation

A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.

5.0
Social Orientation

A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.

4.3
Self-Control

A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in response to criticism or difficult situations at work.

3.6

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

Explore Key Skills

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