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What does a Mental Health Technician do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

A mental health technician is a professional who provides support and care to patients with mental illness. They work closely with psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals to provide comprehensive care for their patients. Mental health technicians typically have an associate’s degree in psychology or a related field.

Mental Health Technician job duties include:

  • Assisting patients with activities of daily living
  • Providing support and encouragement to patients
  • Observing and documenting patient behavior
  • Participating in treatment planning and implementation
  • Leading or co-leading groups
  • Facilitating individual therapy sessions
  • Transporting patients to appointments
  • Maintaining a safe and clean environment
  • Interacting with family members
  • Providing crisis intervention

Mental Health Technician Job Requirements

Mental health technicians typically have at least an associate's degree in a mental health-related field. Some jobs may require certification, and most jobs will require at least some experience working with clients in a mental health setting. Mental health technicians typically work under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker.

Mental Health Technician Skills

  • Patience
  • Active listening
  • Communication
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Conflict resolution
  • Stress management
  • Observation
  • Documentation
  • Reporting
  • Medication administration
  • Crisis intervention

Related: Top Mental Health Technician Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Mental Health Technician

Mental health technicians typically work under the supervision of a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker. They provide direct care and support to people with mental illness. In some cases, they may also provide case management services and coordinate care with other providers.

Mental health technicians typically have at least an associate’s degree in mental health or a related field. Some positions may require certification from the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). To become certified, candidates must have completed a master’s degree in counseling or a related field and pass an exam.

Those interested in becoming a mental health technician should consider taking courses in psychology, sociology, and human services. It is also important to develop strong communication and interpersonal skills. Mental health technicians must be able to empathize with clients and build trust-based relationships.

Related: Mental Health Technician Resume Example

Related: Mental Health Technician Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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