What does a psychiatric aide do?

Psychiatric aides and psychiatric technicians or direct services associates help care for mentally ill and substance abuse patients. They work under the direct supervision of mental health therapists, psychiatrists, social workers, and nurses. Psychiatric technicians may specialize in certain areas, such as crisis intervention, substance abuse, or children’s problems. They may work at crisis centers, substance abuse facilities, hospitals, social service centers, schools, or community mental health programs. Their responsibilities vary according to the work setting and the individual’s level of training.

What might a psychiatric aide do in a workday?

• help patients bathe, dress, and complete other personal care activities.
• take patients to and from wards for examination and treatment.
• encourage patients to participate in social, educational, and recreational activities.
• feed patients who need assistance.
• aid or restrain patients to prevent injuries to themselves or others.
• escort patients to off-site treatment, entertainment, or enrichment activities.
• assist with patient orientation, housekeeping, and security.

Psychiatric technicians usually have more formal education, training, and responsibilities than psychiatric aides. In addition to the duties listed above, they also:

• interview patients and their families and record information.
• help develop and implement patient treatment plans.
• observe patients and report any meaningful actions to the staff.
• lead individual and group counseling sessions and therapy activities.
• teach skills that help patients resolve problems that affect daily living.
• check and record patients’ vital signs.
• assist supervisors in giving prescribed medication.

Developing a career as a psychiatric aide?

Clinical and counseling psychologists may specialize in teaching, research, therapy, counseling, rehabilitation, community health, physiology, and psychopharmacology. They may choose to concentrate their work on a specific age group or psychological problem.

• Clinical psychologists evaluate, diagnose, and treat mentally and emotionally disturbed people and are concerned with preventing and treating mental and emotional disorders.
• Educational psychologists design, develop, and evaluate techniques and materials to solve problems in education/training programs.
• School psychologists work with average, gifted, and physically or mentally challenged students.
• Psychometrists or quantitative psychologists develop and implement intelligence, aptitude, achievement, and other tests and analyze results.
• Developmental psychologists investigate emotional, mental, physical, and social growth and development.
• Social psychologists study human relationships to understand individual and group feeling, thought, and behavior.
• Experimental psychologists plan, conduct, and analyze experiments in human and animal learning, thinking, motivation, and perception.
• Industrial-organizational psychologists develop and apply psychological techniques to personnel administration, management and marketing problems.

How much does a psychiatric aide earn?

• $14,000 - $27,700

How do I become a psychiatric aide?

Students interested in becoming psychiatric aides or technicians should take challenging high school courses, including science and English. A high school diploma and postsecondary training are needed for employment as a psychiatric technician, but they are not necessary for a psychiatric aide.

Where else can I learn about becoming a psychiatric aide?

American Psychiatric Association
1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1825 / Arlington, VA  22209-3901
tel:  703-907-7300 / web:  http://www.psych.org

National Association of Health Care Assistants
501 E 15th St / Joplin, MO  640804
tel:  800-784-6049 / web:  http://www.nahcacares.org

Educational Institutions in Virginia for Psychiatric Aides:

• Twin County Regional Hospital
• Winchester Medical Center

What does a genetic counselor do?

Genetic counselors provide information and support to those who have birth defects or genetic (inherited) disorders, or who are at risk for such conditions. Genetic counselors may conduct research on the cause or treatment of disorders, or they may work to help families and individuals cope with the condition.

What might a genetic counselor do in a workday?

• explain the likelihood that other family members will experience the same disorder.
• help individuals and families choose the best course of action, given the level of risk, family goals, and ethical or religious values.
• evaluate family medical histories to determine the role of heredity.
• help individuals and families learn the facts and understand how to manage the disorder.
• perform research in the field of medical genetics and genetic counseling.
• educate and inform other health professionals and the general public.

Developing a career as a genetic counselor?

Genetic counselors seeking further education may specialize in molecular, biochemical, medical, population genetics, or psychology. They may specialize according to types of conditions, such as muscular dystrophy, cancer, or mental retardation. They often work for universities, at research centers and teaching hospitals, and private health care practices, while some are employed by public health organizations or government agencies with specific genetic health interests.

How much does a genetic counselor earn?

• $36,000 - $110,000

How do I become a genetic counselor?

Students interested in becoming genetic counselors should prepare by taking the most challenging high school courses available in science, math, and English, including advanced placement courses.

Genetic counselors have master’s degrees in genetic counseling and are nationally certified. The requirements for admission to master’s-level programs vary by school, but most applicants have undergraduate training in biology, chemistry, or behavioral sciences.

Recommended Activities: Many genetic counseling applicants volunteer with organizations that provide advice and services to individuals with physical, emotional, and/or developmental disabilities, or organizations that provide crisis intervention services.

Where else can I learn about becoming a genetic counselor?

American College of Medical Genetics
7220 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 300 / Bethesda, MD  20814
tel:  301-718-9603 / web: http://www.acmg.net

National Society of Genetic Counselors
401 N Michigan Ave / Chicago, IL  60611
tel:  312-321-6834 / web:  http://www.nsgc.org

American Board of Genetic Counseling
PO Box 14216 / Lenexa, KS  66285
tel:  913-895-4617 / web:  http://www.abgc.net

Educational Institutions in Virginia for Genetic Counseling:

• University of Virginia
• Virginia Commonwealth University
• Virginia Tech

What does a counselor do?

Counselors aid people with social, educational, personal, or medical problems. They help individuals and groups work with many issues, including mental health, school, college, career, employment, rehabilitation, aging, substance abuse, and marriage and family conflicts. A variety of specialties are available within this field, including school and career counseling, employment counseling, rehabilitation counseling, mental health counseling, and genetic counseling.

What might a counselor do in a workday?

• help individuals deal with problems such as addiction and substance abuse, family conflicts, suicidal feelings, stress, self-esteem, aging, and job or school concerns.
• use interviews and observations to determine problem areas and the focus for counseling.
• conduct personality, aptitude, achievement, and psychological tests.
• formulate treatment plans and link clients with professional/community resources.
• conduct workshops in special subjects, such as assertiveness, career development, interpersonal relationships, stress management, coping skills, and illness.
• maintain records of tests and counseling sessions.
• teach counselor education classes at universities and colleges.
• conduct research and report results in professional journals.
• work with other mental health specialists (psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers).

Developing a career as a counselor?

Counselors work in a variety of settings, including mental health clinics, health care facilities, job training and vocational rehabilitation centers, correctional institutions, residential care facilities, schools, public assistance agencies, and substance abuse facilities. Many are employed in private practice and by health maintenance organizations and group practices.

How much does a counselor earn?

• $28,000 - $55,000

How do I become a counselor?

Students interested in becoming counselors should prepare by taking the most challenging high school courses available in science, math, English, and psychology, including advanced placement courses.

Counselors must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. To move beyond entry level, postgraduate training is usually necessary. Some fields require a master’s degree and licensure or certification by taking a national exam. Contact the National Board for Certified Counselors for the most recent requirements. In Virginia, licensed professional counselors also must pass a written examination and have two years of postgraduate, full-time supervised experience.

Where else can I learn about becoming a counselor?

Virginia Counselors Association
316 Hodges Cove Road / Yorktown, VA  23692
tel: 800-225-8103 or 757-766-5466  /  web: http://www.vcacounselors.org

What are the state licensure requirements for counselors?

A license is required to practice counseling in the Commonwealth of Virginia. For more information on licensure, applications, and forms, visit www.dhp.virginia.gov/counseling.

Virginia Board of Counseling
Perimeter Center / 9960 Maryland Drive, Suite 300 / Henrico, VA  23233-1463
tel:  804-367-4610

Educational Institutions in Virginia for Psychology:

• American Public University
• Cambridge College of Massachusetts
• Central Michigan University
• The College of William & Mary
• Eastern Mennonite University
• George Mason University
• George Washington University (Off Campus Program)
• Germanna Community College - Locust Grove
• Hampton University
• James Madison University
• Liberty University
• Longwood University
• Lynchburg College
• Marymount University
• Old Dominion University
• Radford University
• Regent University
• University of Virginia
• Virginia State University
• Virginia Tech
• South University
• Walden University

What does a social worker do?

Social workers work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. They provide counseling and services to clients and work to improve social conditions. They often work with persons who are homeless, unemployed, disabled, seriously ill, mentally ill, or handicapped. They assist people of all ages with emotional and physical illness, behavior management, substance abuse, child/spouse abuse, and other issues.

What might a social worker do in a workday?

• interview and counsel individuals, families, and groups regarding their concerns.
• assess needs and then plan, develop, implement, oversee, and evaluate programs and activities designed to meet those needs.
• help people obtain community services, education, and job training.
• refer clients to other professional or community resources.
• coordinate or work with civic, religious, business and union organizations to combat social problems through community programs.
• advocate positive social and institutional change.

Developing a career as a social worker?

Social workers may specialize in areas such as health care; mental health; occupational, family and child welfare; adult and juvenile justice; aging studies; school social work; substance abuse; or physical disability. Social workers find employment in a variety of settings, such as agency offices, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, group homes, learning centers, schools, prisons, businesses, or courts of law. Some work independently, while others practice as part of treatment teams that include physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, therapists, teachers, clergy, and other professionals.

How much does a social worker earn?

• $26,000 - $60,000

How do I become a social worker?

Students interested in becoming social workers should prepare by taking the most challenging high school courses available in science, English and math, including advanced placement courses.

Social workers must earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited school of social work. In order to become licensed in Virginia, two years of post-master’s (M.S.W.) work experience and a passing score on an examination must be completed.

Where else can I learn about becoming a social worker?

National Association of Social Workers, Virginia Chapter
5511 Staples Mill Road, Suite 303 / Richmond, VA  23228
tel:  804-204-1339 / web:  http://www.naswva.org

National Association of Social Workers
750 First St, NE, Suite 700 / Washington, DC  200002-4241
tel:  202-408-8600 / web:  http://www.socialworkers.org

State License Requirements for Social Workers:

A license is required to practice social work in the Commonwealth of Virginia. For more information on licensure, applications, and forms, visit www.dhp.virginia.gov/social.

Board of Social Work
Perimeter Center
9960 Maryland Dr, Suite 300 / Henrico, VA  23233-1463
tel:  804-367-4441

Educational Institutions in Virginia for Social Work:

• Christopher Newport University
• Eastern Mennonite University
• Ferrum College
• George Mason University
• James Madison University
• John Tyler Community College - Midlothian Campus
• Longwood University
• Mary Baldwin College
• Norfolk State University
• Radford University
• Saint Leo University
• Virginia Commonwealth University
• Virginia Intermont College
• Virginia State University
• Virginia Union University