O*NET-SOC 29-2053.00

Psychiatric Technicians

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.

Preparation

ItemValue
Preparation zoneZone 3 – Medium preparation needed
What O*NET says the zone requiresPrevious work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required
Broad occupation in O*NETTrue (Yes)
Skills listed for this occupation6
Abilities listed for this occupation6
Tasks listed for this occupation5
Interest scores given for this occupation6

Skills

The 6 skills with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

SkillO*NET elementImportanceDate
Social Perceptiveness2.B.1.a4.1208/2023
Active Listening2.A.1.b4.008/2023
Monitoring2.A.2.d4.008/2023
Coordination2.B.1.b3.8808/2023
Speaking2.A.1.d3.8808/2023
Reading Comprehension2.A.1.a3.7508/2023

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Abilities

The 6 abilities with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

AbilityO*NET elementImportanceDate
Oral Comprehension1.A.1.a.14.008/2023
Oral Expression1.A.1.a.34.008/2023
Problem Sensitivity1.A.1.b.34.008/2023
Deductive Reasoning1.A.1.b.43.7508/2023
Inductive Reasoning1.A.1.b.53.6208/2023
Written Comprehension1.A.1.a.23.6208/2023

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Tasks

The tasks O*NET records for this occupation, with the type, respondent count and date each record carries.

TaskTypeIncumbents respondingDate
Provide nursing, psychiatric, or personal care to patients with cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities.Core7008/2023
Encourage patients to develop work skills and to participate in social, recreational, or other therapeutic activities that enhance interpersonal skills or develop social relationships.Core7008/2023
Restrain violent, potentially violent, or suicidal patients by verbal or physical means as required.Core7008/2023
Lead prescribed individual or group therapy sessions as part of specific therapeutic procedures.Core6908/2023
Monitor patients' physical and emotional well-being and report unusual behavior or physical ailments to medical staff.Core7008/2023

Work interests

The interest scores O*NET gives this occupation, on the six interest types.

InterestScoreDate
Social6.7111/2023
Investigative4.6311/2023
Conventional3.6311/2023
Realistic3.4311/2023
Artistic2.0911/2023
Enterprising1.3811/2023

More occupations in preparation zone 3

Source: O*NET 29.1 Database (Occupation Data, Job Zones, Skills, Abilities, Task Statements, Interests), U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Data fetched 2026-10-31. See about and sources.