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Medical & WelfareStable

Psychiatric Aide

Operational-level

Also known as: Behavior Aide, Behavior Assistant, Behavior Intervention Assistant, Behavior Support Assistant

Medical & WelfareBachelor's Degree

Job Description

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.
Psychiatric CareMental HealthPatient CareBehavioral HealthNursing SupportHealthcareHuman ServicesNursingMedical Support

A Day in the Life

You arrive at the psychiatric unit of Metropolitan Hospital in Seattle, clocking in for your 7 AM shift. After changing into your scrubs, you head to the nursing station for the morning report. The outgoing aide quickly briefs you on patient statuses, recent incidents, and any special needs. You grab the daily assignment sheet and a portable two-way radio, scanning patient charts, particularly noting Mr. Henderson's increased agitation overnight. Your day officially begins with a full unit of patients.

Skills employers are looking for in 2027

Software and technologies flagged by O*NET as Hot or In-Demand for this role.

Hot technologies
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft Word

Job Outlook 2025-2035

Projected growth

+1.9%

US average: +3.5%

Job openings

4,900

per year (US)

Jobs today

36,900

in 2025 → 37,600 (2035)

Typical entry education

High school diploma or equivalent

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections; O*NET Bright Outlook. Read the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

Work Environment

How this work is typically performed, based on O*NET work context data.

Email & digital communication
High
Working in a team
High
Contact with others
High
Freedom to make decisions
Moderate
Time pressure
High
Time spent sitting
Moderate
Working outdoors
Moderate
Indoor, climate-controlled
High
Dealing with customers
Moderate
Level of competition
Low

Source: O*NET Work Context (v31.0)

Future Perspective

Stable Job Market

The job outlook for Psychiatric Aides is stable through 2035, with around 4,900 job openings expected each year. The median annual wage is about $44,910. With experience, you can move into roles like a Psychiatric Technician or pursue further education to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN) in mental health.

Career ladder

Often before this role

  • Home Health Aide
  • Direct Support Professional
  • Entry-Level Behavioral Health Technician

Where it can lead

  • Psychiatric Technician
  • Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
  • Registered Nurse (RN)

Impact of AI on this Job

AI will likely augment the Psychiatric Aide role by automating routine monitoring, data collection, and administrative tasks, providing more detailed insights into patient behavior. This will free up aides to focus more on direct, empathetic patient interaction, crisis intervention, and personalized support, where human connection remains crucial. Consequently, their role will evolve to be more focused on complex care and fostering therapeutic relationships, rather than being replaced.

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Salary

$44,910

Median annual wage, BLS 2025

Required Education

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum educational requirement for this position

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