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Psychiatric Technicians

SOC 29-2053.00Job Zone 3 · Medium Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers psychiatric technician practice in inpatient, residential, and community mental health settings, spanning direct patient care, behavioral intervention, therapeutic facilitation, documentation, and leadership for patients with psychiatric, cognitive, intellectual, or developmental conditions.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Personal care routines for patients with cognitive or developmental disabilities — perform under direct supervision following established facility protocols on an inpatient psychiatric unit.
  2. Patients' physical vital signs including temperature and blood pressure — collect and record using standard medical devices under the guidance of a supervising nurse or clinician.
  3. Unusual patient behaviors or physical symptoms — recognize and report promptly to medical staff following the unit's escalation procedures.
  4. Daily living tasks such as bathing, bed-making, and clothing care — assist patients in completing with respectful, person-centered support on a residential psychiatric ward.
  5. Basic therapeutic activity schedules including recreational and social programs — support participation by encouraging patients and following the activity plan prepared by senior staff.
  6. Patient observations and care notes — document in medical software or written logs using clear, accurate language under supervisor review.
  7. Active listening skills — apply during one-on-one patient interactions to identify expressed needs and relay relevant information to the clinical team.
  8. De-escalation language and verbal calming techniques — practice under direction when patients display early signs of agitation in a supervised inpatient setting.
  9. Unit safety and restraint protocols — demonstrate awareness of and preparedness to assist trained staff during crisis situations as directed.
  10. Therapeutic boundaries and professional conduct standards — follow consistently when interacting with patients across all shifts in a psychiatric care environment.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Nursing and personal care tasks for patients with intellectual or developmental disabilities — perform routinely with minimal supervision, adapting approaches to individual patient needs on an inpatient unit.
  2. Patients' physical and emotional well-being across a full shift — monitor systematically and document observations in electronic medical records, flagging changes to clinical staff in a timely manner.
  3. Work skill development and social participation activities — encourage and facilitate independently, guiding patients toward therapeutic goals outlined in their individualized care plans.
  4. Verbal de-escalation and, when necessary, physical restraint procedures — apply in accordance with facility protocols when managing agitated or potentially violent patients in a locked psychiatric ward.
  5. Prescribed group therapy or structured activity sessions — co-facilitate under clinical oversight, applying basic counseling and instructional techniques with patient groups of varying acuity.
  6. Social perceptiveness — use during patient interactions to detect subtle behavioral or emotional cues and adjust communication strategies accordingly in a community mental health or hospital setting.
  7. Interpersonal boundaries, therapeutic rapport, and empathic communication — maintain consistently while supporting patients through daily routines and behavioral challenges.
  8. Inventory and supply tracking for unit equipment and medications — manage using inventory management software to ensure availability of materials required for patient care.
  9. Care plan documentation including progress notes and incident reports — compose clearly and accurately using word processing or office suite software within required time frames.
  10. Time management across concurrent patient assignments — demonstrate by prioritizing care tasks effectively during high-census or short-staffed shifts on a psychiatric unit.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Complex psychiatric and behavioral presentations including self-harm risk and acute psychosis — assess independently, implement evidence-informed interventions, and coordinate responses with the multidisciplinary clinical team.
  2. Individual and group therapy sessions prescribed within treatment protocols — lead autonomously, applying counseling, instructional, and motivational techniques tailored to patients' cognitive and emotional levels.
  3. Non-routine behavioral crises including violent or suicidal episodes — manage with skilled verbal and physical intervention, ensuring patient and staff safety in high-acuity inpatient environments.
  4. Patients' trajectories across the full scope of psychiatric technician practice — monitor holistically, integrating physical vital data, behavioral observations, and family input to inform ongoing care decisions.
  5. Therapeutic skill-building programs targeting social relationships, vocational readiness, and daily living independence — design and implement for individual patients in collaboration with occupational and rehabilitation specialists.
  6. Critical thinking and deductive reasoning — apply when interpreting ambiguous patient behavioral data to distinguish psychiatric symptoms from medical complications and recommend appropriate escalation pathways.
  7. Negotiation and persuasion techniques — employ skillfully to engage resistant or non-compliant patients in prescribed treatments, using patient-centered motivational strategies in outpatient and residential settings.
  8. Electronic health records and medical software platforms — use proficiently to maintain comprehensive, legally compliant documentation of patient assessments, interventions, and outcomes.
  9. Complex problem-solving — demonstrate when adapting care strategies for patients whose conditions do not respond to standard protocols, drawing on psychology and therapy and counseling knowledge domains.
  10. Interdisciplinary team communication — contribute substantively in clinical rounds and care conferences, delivering precise oral and written assessments that inform physician and nursing decision-making.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Psychiatric technician practice standards and unit-level care quality — lead improvement initiatives by analyzing patient outcome data, identifying gaps, and implementing evidence-based protocol changes across the department.
  2. New and developing psychiatric technicians — mentor and evaluate systematically, designing structured on-the-job learning experiences that accelerate competency development within a Job Zone 3 training framework.
  3. Facility-wide crisis prevention and behavioral management programs — develop and oversee, establishing restraint-reduction initiatives and staff training curricula that align with accreditation and regulatory requirements.
  4. Organizational policies governing patient rights, public safety, and legal compliance in psychiatric care — interpret and translate into operational procedures, ensuring staff adherence across all shifts and units.
  5. Interdisciplinary care delivery models for patients with cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities — architect in collaboration with nursing leadership, psychology, and social work to optimize therapeutic outcomes at a systems level.
  6. Complex problem escalations involving high-risk patients, ethical dilemmas, or safety events — serve as the senior decision-maker, applying advanced judgment to resolve situations beyond the scope of frontline staff.
  7. Technology adoption across the psychiatric unit including medical software, electronic mail, and spreadsheet-based reporting tools — champion and guide, improving workflow efficiency and documentation accuracy organization-wide.
  8. Departmental staffing, scheduling, and resource allocation — manage strategically to maintain safe patient-to-technician ratios and sustainable workload distribution in high-demand inpatient psychiatric environments.
  9. Community partnerships, referral networks, and transitional care pathways — cultivate to support patients' continuity of care from inpatient psychiatric settings into outpatient, residential, or vocational rehabilitation programs.
  10. Organizational culture of empathy, dependability, and stress tolerance — model and reinforce through visible leadership behaviors, peer recognition programs, and reflective practice forums that sustain workforce well-being in a psychiatric care setting.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Authoritative source data identified for 998 occupations

How a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline; click a citation chip to verify the source.

Emerging
  1. AI-assisted documentation review — reads AI-generated summaries of patient records and shift notes to orient to current behavioral baselines before beginning a shift, confirming accuracy against direct observation.
  2. Basic alert familiarity — recognizes when an AI monitoring flag or EHR notification signals a change in a patient's vitals or behavioral pattern, and escalates the alert to supervising nursing staff.
Developing
  1. AI-assisted behavior logging — uses AI-enabled documentation tools to transcribe and structure incident reports from voice or text input, then reviews and corrects the output before submission to the medical team.
  2. Therapeutic activity research delegation — queries an AI assistant for evidence-based social or recreational therapy activity ideas appropriate to specific cognitive or developmental profiles, evaluating suggestions against the patient's treatment plan Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  3. Patient monitoring augmentation — cross-references AI-generated trend summaries of patient emotional and physical indicators with direct floor observation, using discrepancies as prompts for closer human assessment Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Proficient
  1. Social perceptiveness boundary-setting — applies direct interpersonal judgment to de-escalation and restraint decisions, recognizing that AI tools cannot reliably interpret real-time nonverbal cues, threat posture, or room dynamics in acute psychiatric settings Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. AI-supported care coordination — uses AI assistants to draft interdisciplinary communication summaries and care handoff notes, then edits for clinical accuracy and tone before routing to physicians or social workers WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  3. Group therapy preparation — directs an AI tool to compile structured session outlines or psychoeducational materials aligned to a prescribed therapeutic protocol, retaining authorship of the session facilitation and live group moderation.
  4. Medication and behavioral data synthesis — prompts an AI assistant to surface correlations between documented medication schedules and logged behavioral incidents across a patient cohort, then presents findings to the supervising clinician for clinical interpretation Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
Advanced
  1. Workflow redesign leadership — evaluates and recommends AI-enabled monitoring or documentation tools for unit adoption, piloting against existing workflows and assessing impact on staff burden and patient safety outcomes WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. AI output quality gatekeeping — audits AI-generated behavioral trend analyses and care recommendations for accuracy, bias, and clinical appropriateness before they inform treatment team decisions, ensuring human clinical authority over AI outputs Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  3. Training and mentorship — coaches emerging psychiatric technicians on appropriate versus inappropriate reliance on AI tools, emphasizing the non-automatable core of social perceptiveness, verbal de-escalation, and therapeutic rapport Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
Evidence pack
SAFI positioning
Top skill: Social Perceptiveness
Score: 51.5 / 100
Quadrant: Q2_ai_augmented
precision: exact
WEF cluster
Human-Technology Interaction
human_technology_interaction
Sources:Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency/role levels for each occupation. Each statement is aligned to the Pathsmith taxonomy, derived from trusted grounding data and mapped to occupation-specific O*NET tasks and skills.

1Communication10 statements
Emerging
  1. Patient intake communication — collects basic patient history and presenting concerns through structured interview using clear, calm language in an inpatient psychiatric setting Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Shift handoff reporting — conveys observed patient behaviors and vital signs to oncoming staff using standard verbal reporting format O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Therapeutic interaction — engages patients with cognitive or developmental disabilities in conversation that reinforces coping skills and social norms during daily care routines Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Interdisciplinary communication — relays patient behavioral changes and physical ailment observations to nurses and physicians using clinical terminology appropriate to the care team O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Written documentation — records patient behavior, mood, and physical readings in electronic health records with accuracy and appropriate clinical detail O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. De-escalation communication — applies verbal intervention techniques to redirect agitated or potentially violent patients toward calm behavior before physical restraint becomes necessary Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Group therapy facilitation — leads prescribed group therapy sessions by presenting structured content, prompting patient participation, and managing group dynamics in a therapeutic milieu O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Family and caregiver communication — explains patient progress, behavioral observations, and care plan expectations to families using accessible, non-clinical language Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Crisis communication leadership — models and coaches junior technicians in precise verbal de-escalation protocols during acute psychiatric crises, ensuring patient and staff safety Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-disciplinary documentation standards — establishes clear, consistent documentation practices for the unit that improve clinical communication accuracy and continuity of patient care O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
2Leadership9 statements
Emerging
  1. Peer support initiation — volunteers to assist colleagues with patient care tasks during high-acuity shifts, demonstrating early leadership through reliable contribution Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Patient activity guidance — leads small recreational or social skill-building activities under direct supervision, taking responsibility for patient engagement outcomes O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Therapy group facilitation — assumes leadership of prescribed individual or group therapy sessions, managing structure and pacing while adapting to patient needs in real time O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Safety response coordination — takes initiative during a behavioral incident to direct bystanders and communicate patient status to charge staff before formal orders are issued Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Unit activity leadership — organizes and leads therapeutic occupational and recreational programs that build interpersonal skills for patients with psychiatric diagnoses, ensuring alignment with treatment goals O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. New staff orientation support — guides newly hired psychiatric technicians through unit protocols, behavioral intervention procedures, and patient observation expectations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Restraint team coordination — directs physical restraint procedures in accordance with policy, assigning roles to team members and prioritizing patient dignity and safety O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Unit culture leadership — models and promotes a therapeutic milieu culture where patient rights, clinical standards, and staff accountability are consistently upheld Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Mentorship program development — designs structured on-the-job mentorship experiences for new technicians that accelerate competency in patient monitoring, de-escalation, and documentation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
3Metacognition8 statements
Emerging
  1. Self-monitoring during patient interactions — recognizes personal emotional reactions triggered by patient behaviors and notes their effect on care delivery during post-shift reflection Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Learning gap identification — identifies specific clinical procedures or patient population knowledge areas that require additional study or supervised practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Intervention strategy evaluation — after a de-escalation attempt, reflects on which verbal techniques were effective and adjusts approach for subsequent interactions with the same patient Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Documentation accuracy self-check — reviews own patient records before submission to identify omissions, inconsistencies, or language that does not accurately reflect observed behavior Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Bias awareness in patient observation — monitors own assumptions about patients with specific diagnoses and deliberately adjusts observation and reporting to ensure clinical objectivity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Stress response calibration — recognizes escalating personal stress during high-acuity situations and applies intentional regulation strategies to maintain effective therapeutic presence Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Reflective practice modeling — facilitates structured debriefs with junior technicians following critical incidents, guiding them to examine their own decision-making processes and identify improvement strategies Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Metacognitive training integration — incorporates self-assessment practices into unit training sessions so that all technicians develop habits of reflective clinical practice Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
4Critical Thinking8 statements
Emerging
  1. Behavioral baseline comparison — identifies deviations from a patient's established behavioral patterns and flags observations for supervisor review O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Vital sign interpretation — recognizes when recorded physical measurements fall outside normal ranges and escalates findings to nursing staff promptly O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Risk stratification — analyzes multiple behavioral and environmental cues to assess whether a patient presents an imminent risk to self or others and prioritizes intervention accordingly Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Treatment plan alignment — evaluates whether a patient's daily activities and interactions are consistent with the goals outlined in the prescribed care plan and adjusts facilitation strategies accordingly O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Multi-factor behavioral analysis — synthesizes patient history, current medication effects, environmental stressors, and observed behaviors to develop a comprehensive situational assessment communicated to the clinical team Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Intervention effectiveness evaluation — assesses outcomes of behavioral management strategies across multiple patient interactions, identifies patterns, and recommends refinements to the unit's protocol Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Evidence-informed practice advocacy — evaluates current unit procedures against established psychiatric care literature and presents evidence-based recommendations for protocol improvement to clinical leadership Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Complex case reasoning — guides interdisciplinary team discussions on patients with comorbid psychiatric and medical conditions by contributing behavioral observation analysis that informs diagnostic and treatment decisions O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
5Collaboration9 statements
Emerging
  1. Care team participation — attends interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, contributes direct-care observations, and receives task assignments without requiring repeated direction Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Co-worker assistance — supports fellow technicians during personal care tasks requiring two-person assistance, such as patient transfers or supervised bathing O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Shift coordination — coordinates patient monitoring assignments with peer technicians to ensure continuous coverage across the unit during high-census periods Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Therapeutic activity co-facilitation — partners with occupational or recreational therapy staff to co-deliver skill-building activities, adjusting own role to complement the other facilitator's approach O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Interdisciplinary care collaboration — works alongside nurses, social workers, and psychiatrists as an integrated team member, contributing behavioral data that directly shapes care plan modifications Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Restraint team collaboration — executes assigned role in a coordinated physical restraint procedure, maintaining precise communication with team members to minimize patient and staff injury O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Family engagement coordination — collaborates with social work staff to align family communication with treatment objectives, ensuring consistent messaging across disciplines Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Cross-functional process improvement — leads collaborative workgroups with nursing and therapy staff to redesign patient monitoring workflows, resulting in improved safety outcomes and reduced incident rates Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Mentored collaboration development — coaches junior technicians on how to contribute effectively in interdisciplinary team settings, including how to present behavioral observations with clinical precision Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
6Character9 statements
Emerging
  1. Patient dignity maintenance — performs personal care tasks such as bathing or dressing with consistent respect for patient privacy, autonomy, and cultural sensitivity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Policy adherence — follows established unit safety and documentation protocols without deviation, even when direct supervision is absent Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Confidentiality integrity — handles all patient records, behavioral observations, and clinical conversations in strict accordance with HIPAA and facility privacy standards Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Accountability in error reporting — discloses medication administration errors, documentation mistakes, or procedural lapses to supervisors promptly and without concealment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Ethical boundary maintenance — consistently enforces appropriate professional boundaries with patients, including those who present dependent or manipulative relational patterns, while maintaining therapeutic rapport Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Advocacy accountability — raises concerns about patient rights violations or unsafe care conditions through proper channels, accepting professional responsibility for patient welfare outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Equitable care delivery — provides equivalent quality of attention, patience, and therapeutic engagement to all patients regardless of diagnosis severity, behavioral history, or personal presentation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Ethical leadership modeling — addresses unit-level ethical concerns with clinical leadership, presenting documented observations and proposing corrective actions that protect patient rights and staff integrity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Professional standards stewardship — mentors junior technicians on the ethical dimensions of psychiatric care, including power dynamics, informed assent, and trauma-informed practice principles Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
7Creativity8 statements
Emerging
  1. Therapeutic activity adaptation — modifies a standard group activity format to engage a patient with limited verbal ability or low motivation, using visual or tactile alternatives Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Rapport-building improvisation — identifies and employs an unexpected conversational topic or patient interest to establish initial therapeutic connection with a resistant patient Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Individualized engagement strategy — designs a personalized approach to encourage a specific patient's participation in social or occupational activities based on observed preferences and behavioral responses Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Environmental intervention — rearranges the physical environment or activity schedule to reduce a particular patient's agitation triggers before a behavioral incident occurs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Novel de-escalation techniques — develops and applies creative verbal and environmental de-escalation approaches for patients who do not respond to standard intervention protocols Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Therapeutic program innovation — proposes and pilots new skill-building or recreational activity formats that address identified gaps in the unit's therapeutic milieu offerings Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Unit program development — designs original therapeutic group curricula that integrate behavioral health principles, patient population needs, and evidence-based skill-building frameworks for sustained implementation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Creative problem-solving leadership — facilitates structured ideation sessions with clinical staff to generate novel solutions to recurring patient care challenges such as treatment resistance or unit safety issues Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
8Growth Mindset8 statements
Emerging
  1. Supervision receptivity — receives corrective feedback on patient interaction techniques from charge nurses or supervisors and implements changes in the next patient encounter without defensiveness Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Continuing education engagement — completes required psychiatric technician training modules and seeks to understand the clinical rationale behind each skill or procedure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Post-incident learning — participates in structured debriefs following behavioral incidents, identifying personal performance gaps and committing to specific practice changes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Skill expansion initiative — voluntarily shadows nurses or therapists to develop understanding of clinical procedures beyond core psychiatric technician responsibilities, building broader patient care competence Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Challenge reframing in high-acuity care — approaches persistently difficult patient cases as opportunities to refine therapeutic skills rather than fixed failures, adjusting strategy iteratively Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Feedback integration cycle — systematically incorporates feedback from multidisciplinary team members into daily practice adjustments, tracking own performance trajectory over time Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Growth culture advocacy — normalizes learning from error within the unit by openly sharing personal development experiences during team meetings and encouraging peer reflection without stigma Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Professional development leadership — identifies emerging psychiatric care practices and pursues advanced certification or training that expands the unit's overall clinical capability Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
9Mindfulness9 statements
Emerging
  1. Present-moment patient attention — maintains full attentive focus on assigned patients during monitoring periods without allowing distractions to compromise observation quality Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Emotional recognition — identifies own emotional reactions during a tense patient interaction and pauses briefly before responding to avoid reactive communication Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Sustained observational awareness — monitors multiple patients simultaneously across a shift, maintaining consistent attentional vigilance that detects early behavioral changes before they escalate Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Intentional de-escalation presence — approaches an agitated patient with deliberate calm body language, regulated vocal tone, and focused attention on the patient's immediate emotional state Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Attentional shift management — transitions fluidly between administrative tasks and direct patient monitoring without loss of situational awareness during high-activity shift periods Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Compassion fatigue recognition — monitors own emotional depletion indicators across a sustained work period and applies evidence-informed self-regulation strategies to maintain effective therapeutic presence Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Trauma-informed mindfulness — recognizes when a patient is experiencing trauma-state responses and responds with measured, non-reactive therapeutic presence that supports emotional co-regulation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Mindfulness practice modeling — demonstrates regulated, intentional presence during acute patient crises in a manner that visibly stabilizes the therapeutic environment and guides junior staff responses Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Unit wellbeing integration — advocates for and helps implement structured mindfulness or stress-regulation practices within staff routines to reduce burnout and improve patient care consistency across the unit Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
10Fortitude9 statements
Emerging
  1. Emotional persistence in care — continues providing compassionate direct care to patients who exhibit verbal aggression or rejection of assistance, maintaining professional demeanor throughout Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Routine crisis exposure — completes assigned shifts involving behavioral incidents, physical restraint, or acute patient distress without withdrawing from patient-facing responsibilities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Sustained engagement with resistant patients — persists in therapeutic relationship-building with patients who repeatedly refuse participation in activities or interactions, adjusting approach without abandoning effort Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Post-incident continuity — returns to effective patient care duties following a physically or emotionally demanding restraint or crisis event within the same shift Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Long-term therapeutic persistence — maintains consistent therapeutic engagement with patients experiencing chronic psychiatric conditions over extended treatment periods, sustaining effort despite slow or absent visible progress Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Uncertainty tolerance in complex cases — continues delivering structured care for patients with unclear diagnoses or unpredictable behavioral profiles without allowing ambiguity to diminish care quality Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Physical and emotional resilience — sustains full clinical performance across extended shifts involving consecutive behavioral crises, maintaining patient safety standards without compromise Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Resilience mentorship — supports junior technicians in processing traumatic or distressing patient care experiences, modeling healthy professional resilience and preventing early career burnout Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Systemic adversity navigation — maintains commitment to quality patient care and staff safety during periods of institutional understaffing, policy uncertainty, or organizational change, advocating for resources through appropriate channels Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Autism Behavior Technician (Autism Behavior Tech) · Behavior Technician (Behavior Tech) · Behavioral Health Associate · Behavioral Technician (Behavioral Tech) · BHT (Behavioral Health Technician) · Counselor · Health Care Technician (Health Care Tech) · LPT (Licensed Psychiatric Technician) · Mental Health Associate · Mental Health Specialist · Mental Health Technician (MHT) · MHA (Mental Health Assistant)
RAPIDS apprenticeships
—
O*NET skills
Social PerceptivenessMonitoringActive ListeningSpeakingCoordinationReading ComprehensionService OrientationCritical ThinkingInstructingWritingPersuasionActive LearningTime ManagementJudgment and Decision MakingNegotiationComplex Problem SolvingLearning Strategies
Knowledge domains
PsychologyTherapy and CounselingEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceMedicine and DentistryEducation and TrainingPublic Safety and SecurityLaw and GovernmentComputers and ElectronicsSociology and Anthropology
Abilities
Oral ExpressionOral ComprehensionProblem SensitivityDeductive ReasoningWritten ComprehensionInductive ReasoningSpeech RecognitionSpeech ClarityWritten ExpressionNear Vision
Work styles
EmpathyDependabilityStress ToleranceCooperationSelf-ControlSincerity
Technology
Medical softwareInventory management softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwareWord processing software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Provide nursing, psychiatric, or personal care to patients with cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities.
  2. Encourage patients to develop work skills and to participate in social, recreational, or other therapeutic activities that enhance interpersonal skills or develop social relationships.
  3. Restrain violent, potentially violent, or suicidal patients by verbal or physical means as required.
  4. Lead prescribed individual or group therapy sessions as part of specific therapeutic procedures.
  5. Monitor patients' physical and emotional well-being and report unusual behavior or physical ailments to medical staff.
  6. Take and record measures of patients' physical condition, using devices such as thermometers or blood pressure gauges.
  7. Observe and influence patients' behavior, communicating and interacting with them and teaching, counseling, or befriending them.
  8. Aid patients in performing tasks, such as bathing or keeping beds, clothing, or living areas clean.
CIP education codes
51.1502

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.