Job description template
Psychiatric Technician Job Description Template
A copy-ready psychiatric technician job description with responsibilities, qualifications, skills and pay guidance: customize it for your company in minutes.
Copy the template below, replace the bracketed fields and tailor duties to your workplace. For pay, national BLS data shows psychiatric technicians earn a median of $45,130 ($21.70/hour); the middle 50% earn $38,430–$50,160.
Job title
Psychiatric Technician
Job summary
[Company name] is seeking a dependable psychiatric technician to join our team in [city, state]. In this role, you will monitor patients’ behavior and safety, take vital signs and support our team’s commitment to safety, quality and service.
Responsibilities
- Monitor patients’ behavior and safety
- Take vital signs
- Help with daily living activities
- Lead therapeutic activities and groups
- Give medications where permitted
- De-escalate crises
- Document observations
- Follow company policies, safety procedures and applicable regulations
Required qualifications
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Current license or certification as required by [state]
- Working knowledge of patient observation and de-escalation
- Patience and calmness
- [Add role-specific requirements, such as driver’s license or ability to pass a background check, if job-related]
Preferred qualifications
- State psychiatric technician license
- Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification
- BLS CPR
- Experience with electronic health records
Skills
- Vital signs
- Therapeutic activities
- Documentation
- Medication administration (where allowed)
- Empathy
- Teamwork
Work environment and schedule
Psych techs work in psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment centers, developmental disability facilities and correctional settings. Facilities run 24/7, so shifts include nights, weekends and holidays.
Pay and benefits
$[min]–$[max] per [hour/year], depending on experience. [List benefits: health insurance, paid time off, retirement plan, training and certification support.]
Equal opportunity
[Company name] is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law, and we provide reasonable accommodations upon request.
Tips for a psychiatric technician job posting that attracts applicants
- Use the title candidates search for. “Psychiatric Technician” is the clearest; alternates include Psych Tech, Mental Health Technician, Behavioral Health Technician.
- Show the pay range. Postings with pay get more qualified applicants, and a growing number of states and cities require pay ranges in job postings.
- Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves. Long requirement lists discourage qualified candidates, especially career changers.
- Describe a real day. Borrow from our day in the life of a psychiatric technician so applicants self-select accurately.
- Mention training. Highlighting structured onboarding: such as Psychiatric Technician training: widens your applicant pool.
Next steps
Screen and interview with our Psychiatric Technician hiring guide, then onboard with the 30-60-90 day plan.