Where are Psychiatric Aides employed?
Psychiatric Aides work in a variety of settings including: inpatient psychiatric hospitals, on the psychiatric floors of general hospitals, in private psychiatric hospitals, community mental health centers, residential facilities for the mentally retarded, alcohol and drug rehabilitation facilities, developmental centers, shelters for battered women, correctional facilities, child and adolescent centers, nursing homes.
Psychiatric Aides Salary.
The median annual income for psychiatric aides is $22,970, with the middle 50% earning between $18,650 and $28,580.
Median hourly earnings of psychiatric aides: $11.04.
The lowest 10% earned less than $7.52, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $16.16 an hour.
Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of psychiatric aides:
State government: $13.14
Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals: $11.32
General medical and surgical hospitals: $11.04
Psychiatric aides work under a team that may include psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, social workers, and therapists. Psychiatric aides help with routine activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and eating. They also provide companionship for patients and engage them in activities such as playing games, walking about the facility, and watching television. They may accompany groups of patients on field trips and social activities outside the facility. Although, psychiatric aides provide for basic needs, they can have a significant influence on patient outcomes because they spend a lot of time in direct contact with patients.
Psychiatric Aide Training
The educational requirements for psychiatric aides vary depending on the state and facility. Individuals interested in this occupation should check the requirements for the state in which they want to work.
Important personal prerequisites for psychiatric aides work include patience, emotional stability and physical strength. Psychiatric aides must be compassionate, caring, and able to follow directions. They must have desire to help, people who have mental illnesses.
