How to Be Psychiatric Nursing Technician - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Sep 22, 2022 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Psychiatric Nursing Technicians play an important role in the mental health care system. By providing direct patient care, they help reduce the strain on mental health professionals, allowing them to focus on more complex cases. This, in turn, helps ensure that patients receive the best care possible and have access to the right services.

In addition, Psychiatric Nursing Technicians help create a safe and secure environment for their patients, which can help reduce the risk of self-harm or harm to others. As a result, they play an important role in providing compassionate and quality care to those with mental health issues.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a High School Diploma or GED. Psychiatric nursing technicians must have at least a high school diploma or GED.
Take a Psychiatric Nursing Technician Course. Many employers in the mental health field require that aspiring psychiatric nursing technicians take a course to become certified.
Get On-the-Job Training. Most employers will require some form of on-the-job training for psychiatric nursing technicians.
Obtain Certification. In order to become a psychiatric nursing technician, you will need to obtain certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Obtain Licensure. Depending on the state in which you work, you may need to obtain a license in order to work as a psychiatric nursing technician.
Get Additional Training. To remain competitive in the field, many employers encourage psychiatric nursing technicians to take additional courses or seminars related to mental health care.

Becoming a qualified and reliable Psychiatric Nursing Technician requires a combination of education, experience and ongoing professional development. Firstly, it is important to complete an accredited educational program which covers the basic fundamentals of mental health care. gaining real-world experience through internships or externships can help students to gain a deeper understanding of the role.

Furthermore, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) provides certification exams that can prove a persons knowledge and skills in the field. Finally, it is important to remain up-to-date on the latest advances in psychiatric nursing by participating in continuing education courses, conferences and seminars. By following these steps, individuals can become reliable and qualified Psychiatric Nursing Technicians.

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Job Description

Provide emotional support to patients with mental health issues.
Monitor and document patient behavior and any changes in condition.
Assist with patient activities of daily living, such as eating, dressing, and bathing.
Assist in administering medications as prescribed by physicians.
Assist in developing individualized treatment plans for patients.
Lead group therapy sessions and recreational activities.
Participate in team meetings with other medical professionals.
Transport patients to appointments and other activities as needed.
Educate patients and families about mental health issues and available resources.
Maintain a safe and secure environment for patients.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Ability to communicate effectively with clients, family members, and health care professionals.
Ability to provide compassionate and non-judgmental care to clients.
Knowledge of medications used to treat mental health disorders.
Knowledge of psychotherapeutic interventions.
Knowledge of the principles of therapeutic communication.
Ability to recognize signs of potential harm to self or others.
Ability to administer medications and treatments as directed by nursing staff.
Ability to maintain patient confidentiality and privacy.
Ability to document patient care in an accurate and concise manner.
Ability to collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure a coordinated plan of care for clients.
Ability to recognize the signs of distress in clients and provide appropriate interventions.
Knowledge of safety protocols in a psychiatric setting.

Being a Psychiatric Nursing Technician requires a wide array of skills, but the most important is the ability to empathize with patients. This skill is essential because it allows Psychiatric Nursing Technicians to build a trusting relationship with patients, which is necessary for successful treatment. Empathy also helps Psychiatric Nursing Technicians to better understand and identify difficulties in mental health, so they can provide appropriate interventions.

Having strong communication skills is also important for Psychiatric Nursing Technicians, as they need to be able to effectively communicate with both the patient and other healthcare professionals. problem-solving skills are essential, as Psychiatric Nursing Technicians are often called upon to provide quick solutions to challenging issues. Lastly, having a sound knowledge of various mental health treatments and medications is important, as it allows Psychiatric Nursing Technicians to choose the best treatment plan for each patient.

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Frequent Interview Questions

How do you handle difficult situations with patients in a psychiatric setting?
What experience do you have working with people with mental health issues?
What techniques do you use to help patients manage their feelings?
Describe a time when you had to work with a difficult patient.
What strategies do you use to help patients manage their behavior?
How do you handle conflict between yourself and a patient?
What do you believe is the most important factor in providing quality care to mental health patients?
How do you ensure that patients are receiving the care they need?
How do you ensure that your communication with patients is appropriate and effective?
Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision regarding a patient's care.

Common Tools in Industry

Therapeutic Communication. A technique used by psychiatric nursing technicians to build a positive rapport with patients and encourage them to communicate openly about their mental health issues. (Eg: Active listening, expressing empathy, and validating patient feelings).
Crisis Intervention. A technique used to assess the potential for a patients emotional crisis and provide support and resources to help patients manage their emotions. (Eg: Encouraging the patient to verbalize their feelings and providing support and resources).
Medication Administration. The ability to accurately administer psychiatric medications and monitor patient response. (Eg: Ensuring correct dosage and frequency, monitoring for adverse reactions, and educating patients about the effects of their medications).
Behavioral Management. The ability to identify and address behaviors that may be linked to mental illness and provide appropriate interventions to help patients manage their symptoms. (Eg: Utilizing positive reinforcement and providing structure and consistency).
Documentation. The ability to accurately document patient progress and responses to treatments in an organized and concise manner. (Eg: Recording patient interactions, noting changes in behavior, and summarizing treatment plans).

Professional Organizations to Know

American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA)
International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses (ISPN)
National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems (NAPHS)
International Council of Mental Health Nurses (ICMHN)
Canadian Psychiatric Nurses Association (CPNA)
European Psychiatric Nurses Association (EPNA)
International Association of Forensic Mental Health Nurses (IAFMHN)
National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS)
American Association of Neuroscience Nurses (AANN)
American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)

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Common Important Terms

Psychiatric Assessment. The process of gathering comprehensive information about a patients psychological, emotional, and behavioral functioning in order to diagnose a mental health disorder.
Mental Health Diagnosis. A professional judgment based on the evaluation of a patient's symptoms, including behavior patterns and emotional states.
Mental Health Treatment Plan. A personalized, written plan for managing and treating a patient's mental health disorder.
Medication Management. Monitoring and adjusting a patient's medications, including dosage and side effects.
Crisis Intervention. Immediate action taken to prevent an emotional or behavioral crisis from escalating into a dangerous or life-threatening situation.
Psychotherapy. A form of counseling that focuses on helping patients understand their thoughts and feelings, develop coping skills, and create positive changes in their lives.
Group Therapy. A form of psychotherapy in which multiple patients meet with a therapist to discuss common issues and receive support from each other.
Social Skills Training. Teaching patients how to interact effectively with others, including how to express emotions, compromise, and resolve conflicts.
Psychoeducation. Providing patients and families with education about mental health disorders, treatments, and other related topics.
Recovery Planning. Developing an individualized plan for helping a patient achieve their personal goals related to their mental health disorder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is a Psychiatric Nursing Technician? A1: A Psychiatric Nursing Technician is a healthcare professional who provides support and assistance to mental health nurses and psychiatrists in the care of patients with mental health issues. Q2: What qualifications are required for becoming a Psychiatric Nursing Technician? A2: To become a Psychiatric Nursing Technician, one must have a valid nursing assistant or certified nursing assistant license, as well as a minimum of one year of experience providing care to those with mental health issues. Q3: What are the primary duties of a Psychiatric Nursing Technician? A3: The primary duties of a Psychiatric Nursing Technician include providing support in the administration of medications, assisting with patient assessments, maintaining patient records, and providing emotional support to patients and their families. Q4: What is the median salary for a Psychiatric Nursing Technician? A4: According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for Psychiatric Nursing Technicians is $35,830. Q5: What job growth is expected for Psychiatric Nursing Technicians? A5: The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of Psychiatric Nursing Technicians will grow by 13% from 2019 to 2029.