Psychiatric technicians held about 67,900 jobs in 2014. Psychiatric aides held about 77,300 jobs in 2014.
The industries that employed the most psychiatric technicians in 2014 were as follows:
Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals; state, local, and private
40%
State government, excluding education and hospitals
21
General medical and surgical hospitals; private
12
Residential mental health and substance abuse facilities
6
Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers
3
The industries that employed the most psychiatric aides in 2014 were as follows:
Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals; state, local, and private
38%
State government, excluding education and hospitals
27
Residential intellectual and developmental disability facilities
9
Residential mental health and substance abuse facilities
7
General medical and surgical hospitals; private
4
Psychiatric technicians and aides may spend much of their shift on their feet. Some of the work that psychiatric aides do may be unpleasant. They may care for patients whose illnesses make them disoriented, uncooperative, or violent.
Injuries and Illnesses
Because their work requires many physically demanding tasks, such as lifting patients, psychiatric technicians and aides have high injury and illness rates.
Work Schedules
Psychiatric technicians and aides may work full time or part time. Because hospitals and residential facilities are open at all hours, many psychiatric technicians and aides work nights, weekends, and holidays.