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Who are Psychiatric
Assistants and what do they do?
Psychiatric Assistants also referred to as psychiatric
nursing assistants, behavioral healthcare techs, mental health assistants, and psychiatric aides.
Work in psychiatric units of general care hospitals, specialty psychiatric
hospitals, county and state mental health institutions, community mental
health centers and homes for the mentally retarded. Generally, the PA
will work as a team with psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers,
psychiatric nurses and therapists to deliver psychiatric care to patients
such as helping with patient treatment plans and activities.
Duties of a Psychiatric Assistant
In addition to providing general patient care
such as bathing, dressing, and grooming, the psychiatric assistant will
socialize and interact with patients.
This might include activities
such as playing games, watching television, group therapy, accompany patients to and
from examinations and treatments, leading patients in educational and
recreational activities or participating in group sports activities
and field trips.
PA's observe the patients physical, emotional and mental
behavior and report any changes that might be important for the professional
staff to know.
Since psychiatric assistant have such close contact with
patients on a regular basis they often have a great deal of influence
on their patients’ outlook and successful treatment.
Other duties may include
observation and documents assessment of inpatients, outpatients,
interacting with patients regarding activities, escort patients to
and from their activities maintaining the safety of patients, and other duties associated with assisting
the counselors in patient care.
The psych assitant assists in crisis
interventions responds to the unique needs of
neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, and geriatric patients as the need
arises.
What is the job outlook for Psychiatric assistants?
Employment of psychiatric assistants
is expected to increase as the U.S. population ages and increasing numbers
of older persons require mental health services.
About the PA program
The Psychiatric Assistant program prepares students
for entry level positions working with psychiatrically or developmentally
disabled clients. Student will be taught skills necessary to provide care
for patients with mental or psychosocial disorders. The training will include
classroom instruction in mental health, developmental disabilities, substance
abuse, legal and ethical issues, and communication techniques. Student externships
will typically be at a psychiatric, mental health or counseling centers.
Skills and Objectives of Training
Possess a working knowledge of the history of mental
healthcare, current mental health systems, medication therapies, mental
health assessments, ethical / legal issues, and cultural / social issues
pertaining to the administration of mental healthcare.
Demonstrate caregiver’s therapeutic skills including principles of mental
healthcare; understanding the therapeutic environment including patient
counseling, caseload management, coordinating activities for patients. Understanding
the importance of the caregiver displaying a positive attitude and developing
study skills, goal setting techniques, time management skills, stress management,
and reasoning skills.
Demonstrate communication skills including verbal skills, interagency communication,
observation and recording of patient/client behavior, assisting professional
staff in evaluating community needs, conducting programs, and developing
treatment plans and interventions. Problem solving skills including knowledge
of the problem solving process, the mechanics of decision making, development
of action plans.
Demonstrate the ability to identify mental health problems throughout the
life cycle of patients including childhood, adolescence, adulthood and late
adulthood. Identify and provide intervention for patients with psychological
problems to include patients dealing with illness and hospitalization, loss
and grief, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, physical problems, eating
and sleeping disorders, and disassociate disorders, anger, aggression, suicidal
tendencies, substance abuse, sexual disorders, personality disorders, schizophrenia,
and chronic mental health disorders including Alzheimer’s disease.
Psychiatric organizations
American Psychiatric
Association (APA)
www. psych.org
International physician
network developed to ensure humane care and effective treatment for all
persons with mental disorders including mental retardation and substance
- related disorders.
The American Psychiatric
Nurses Association (APNA)
www. apna.org
organization representing the
specialty practice of mental health nursing and psychiatric nursing.
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is an organization of
psychiatrists working together to ensure humane care and effective
treatment for all persons with mental illness, including substance use
disorders.
Dallas Metrocare is north
Texas' leading nonprofit dedicated to helping people with mental
illness, developmental disabilities, and severe emotional problems.
American
Society of Addiction Medicine
4601 N. Park Ave., Arcade Ste. 101
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
(301) 656-3920
http://www.asam.org
National
Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC)
1911 N. Fort Myer Dr., Ste. 900
Arlington, VA 22209
(703) 741-7686
http://www.naadac.org
National Institute on Drug Abuse
6001 Executive Blvd.
Bethesda, MD 20892-9561
(301) 443-1124
California
Association
of Psychiatric Technicians
www.psych-health.com
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pcihealth |
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Have a Question ASK the
admissions specialist NOW ! |
Melvin Baker
Psychiatric Assistant Instructor |
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