Psychiatric Aides

Record and maintain patient information, such as vital signs, eating habits, behavior, progress notes, treatments, or discharge plans.

Listen and provide emotional support and encouragement to psychiatric patients.

Complete physical checks and monitor patients to detect unusual or harmful behavior and report observations to professional staff.

Restrain or aid patients as necessary to prevent injury.

Serve meals or feed patients needing assistance or persuasion.

Work as part of a team that may include psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, or social workers.

Clean and disinfect rooms and furnishings to maintain a safe and orderly environment.

Provide mentally impaired or emotionally disturbed patients with routine physical, emotional, psychological, or rehabilitation care under the direction of nursing or medical staff.

Complete administrative tasks, such as entering orders into computer, answering telephone calls, or maintaining medical or facility information.

Maintain patients' restrictions to assigned areas.

Provide patients with assistance in bathing, dressing, or grooming, demonstrating these skills as necessary.

Aid patients in becoming accustomed to hospital routine.

Organize, supervise, or encourage patient participation in social, educational, or recreational activities.

Perform nursing duties, such as administering medications, measuring vital signs, collecting specimens, or drawing blood samples.

Interview patients upon admission and record information.

Accompany patients to and from wards for medical or dental treatments, shopping trips, or religious or recreational events.

Participate in recreational activities with patients, including card games, sports, or television viewing.