Introduction
Mental health technicians usually work under a psychiatrist, counselor, or a psychologist in hospital. Their main responsibility is to care for the emotionally disturbed patient and help the doctors in treating the patient. They usually have a certificate or a degree in this field.
To become a mental health technician one doesn't need educational qualification beyond that of a high school diploma. These candidates are given training and instruction to develop their skills. but this concept is changing and, most of the mental health technicians come with higher educational backgrounds. Some of them will be having college degree in psychology and social work, and others will be even having a bachelors degree. but the most important skill required to become a mental health technician is interpersonal skill, which is, having excellent relationship skills and the ability to influence others.
Daily routine involves giving medications to the patients, giving psycho educational talks, supervising visits by families and bystanders and even preparing lunch. Mental health technicians usually work in psychiatric clinics, mental hospitals, juvenile detention centers, pediatric nursing homes, public and private hospitals and under private doctors. To become a mental health technician working in a public of the private hospital, a high school diploma is enough. but if you want to improve your chance of bagging a job as a mental health technician you can improve your skills by having a degree in psychology, anatomy, sociology or biology. Having a degree in nursing assistant is an added benefit.
During the training period students aspiring to become a mental health technician will be imparted knowledge in different subjects like psychology, human development, biology and more. Students are taught the importance of having good interpersonal skills and leadership qualities. They are also taught how to help patients and how to provide good personal hygiene care to the patient.
The training that is usually given to mental health technician varies according to the employer. Some of the employers give classroom training before moving the students to a more practical on-site training. Some of the employers will also provide a stipend during the period of training. They also will encourage mental health technicians to use the period of training for obtaining certificates in various other programs being offered as part of training. Most of the employers would not demand or expect applicants to have any sort of certification requirements before joining the course but having certificates will definitely help in providing a more, competitive edge in the job market.
Being an entry-level program mental health technician does not have too many options as far as specialization is concerned. Being a mental technician is more about getting satisfaction in helping those who are in need. Working as a mental technician is an exhausting job but having a good level of motivation and the opportunity to work in an environment filled with people from different backgrounds will be rewarding. A big part of being a mental technician is the feeling of getting satisfaction in helping those in need.
