Psychiatric Technicians
SOC Code: 29-2053 Job Zone 3: Medium Preparation Needed
Care for individuals with mental or emotional conditions or disabilities, following the instructions of physicians or other health practitioners. Monitor patients' physical and emotional well-being and report to medical staff. May participate in rehabilitation and treatment programs, help with personal hygiene, and administer oral or injectable medications.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Psychiatric Technicians. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $58,677 | $71,053 | $83,408 | $95,784 |
| Vallejo, CA | $52,437 | $64,501 | $76,586 | $88,650 |
| Modesto, CA | $48,235 | $60,570 | $72,925 | $85,259 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $66,102 | $72,259 | $78,437 | $84,594 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $52,229 | $63,003 | $73,798 | $84,573 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $50,003 | $61,256 | $72,488 | $83,741 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $48,194 | $59,571 | $70,928 | $82,306 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $48,568 | $59,550 | $70,554 | $81,536 |
| Visalia, CA | $53,872 | $62,941 | $71,989 | $81,058 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $48,942 | $59,571 | $70,221 | $80,850 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 4.1 | |
| Active Listening | 4.0 | |
| Monitoring | 4.0 | |
| Speaking | 3.9 | |
| Coordination | 3.9 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.8 | |
| Service Orientation | 3.6 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.6 | |
| Instructing | 3.2 | |
| Writing | 3.2 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Psychology | 4.2 |
| Therapy and Counseling | 4.1 |
| English Language | 4.1 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 4.0 |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 3.7 |
| Education and Training | 3.5 |
| Public Safety and Security | 3.5 |
| Law and Government | 3.2 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-secondary certificate | 40.1% |
| Bachelor's degree | 29.8% |
| High school diploma | 19.8% |
| Some college | 5.0% |
| Associate's degree | 3.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 2.1% |
Typical Tasks
- Monitor patients' physical and emotional well-being and report unusual behavior or physical ailments to medical staff.
- Provide nursing, psychiatric, or personal care to patients with cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities.
- Observe and influence patients' behavior, communicating and interacting with them and teaching, counseling, or befriending them.
- Take and record measures of patients' physical condition, using devices such as thermometers or blood pressure gauges.
- Encourage patients to develop work skills and to participate in social, recreational, or other therapeutic activities that enhance interpersonal skills or develop social relationships.
- Collaborate with or assist doctors, psychologists, or rehabilitation therapists in working with patients with cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities to treat, rehabilitate, and return patients to the community.
- Develop or teach strategies to promote client wellness and independence.
- Restrain violent, potentially violent, or suicidal patients by verbal or physical means as required.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Word ADL Data Systems OptimumClinicals Electronic Health Record Allscripts Sunrise Cerner ProFile Epic EpicCare Inpatient Clinical System GE Healthcare Centricity EMR ICANotes InfoLogix HealthTrax Engine MEDITECH Behavioral Health Clinicals Netsmart Technologies Avatar Clinical Workstation CWS
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