Anyone here work as a Psych/Mental Health Tech?

[PsychadelicTech]

Hi, working as a Tech it's been a bumpy four year's think changed job's three or four times. Mostly due to job stability and being laid off from a place. Noticed a lot that hospital's changing towards the direction that anyone willing to do the job can do it and a bachelor's degree doesn't matter.
I am not being bitter, apologize if I come off as such. I really do enjoy the job I find this field to be very rewarding. I have seen a lot of patient’s overcome adversities and struggles, which is the most amazing feeling ever. Without going back to school over limited advance and very small career field.
I been with my current position as a psych tech for four months. Prior to that a therapeutic group home four months and prior to that a psych tech at a hospital before I was laid off. Was recently going for nursing, but that was sidelined as waitlisted for the associate program. Not a total loss going to go for my BSN.
Been trying to find a night position as a psych technician, but to no avail. Hospital work at only has CNAs work at night. I was thinking of going for my CNA certification not sure if it is worth it or not.
Question how long have you worked as a Psych/Mental Health Tech for?
How did you advance?
What career are you working now?
What degree did you return to college for?
What other options outside of Mental Health Clinician, Physician Assistant, Social Worker, and Nurse is there to continue working in the health care field?
Random question maybe in need of some insight some counseling, ha. I travel three days a week to work not much. Being at home on the days off is kind of the part that drives me bonkers. I have been trying to find per diem work, but to no avail. I am not sure if current job is worth and should I look elsewhere for work. I make decent money hourly, but I travel 200 to 300 miles total in a week depending how many day’s scheduled to work. Normally scheduled 3 or 4 days a week. Usually end up making $350-$400 a week. Think it is worth to stay on I know a few group homes can work around $14 an hour full time as well as CAN positions close to where I live and attend school.
Again appreciate any feedback or advice.
Have a good one!

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[erg923]

Hi, working as a Tech it's been a bumpy four year's think changed job's three or four times. Mostly due to job stability and being laid off from a place. Noticed a lot that hospital's changing towards the direction that anyone willing to do the job can do it and a bachelor's degree doesn't matter.
I am not being bitter, apologize if I come off as such. I really do enjoy the job I find this field to be very rewarding. I have seen a lot of patient’s overcome adversities and struggles, which is the most amazing feeling ever. Without going back to school over limited advance and very small career field.
I been with my current position as a psych tech for four months. Prior to that a therapeutic group home four months and prior to that a psych tech at a hospital before I was laid off. Was recently going for nursing, but that was sidelined as waitlisted for the associate program. Not a total loss going to go for my BSN.
Been trying to find a night position as a psych technician, but to no avail. Hospital work at only has CNAs work at night. I was thinking of going for my CNA certification not sure if it is worth it or not.
Question how long have you worked as a Psych/Mental Health Tech for?
How did you advance?
What career are you working now?
What degree did you return to college for?
What other options outside of Mental Health Clinician, Physician Assistant, Social Worker, and Nurse is there to continue working in the health care field?
Random question maybe in need of some insight some counseling, ha. I travel three days a week to work not much. Being at home on the days off is kind of the part that drives me bonkers. I have been trying to find per diem work, but to no avail. I am not sure if current job is worth and should I look elsewhere for work. I make decent money hourly, but I travel 200 to 300 miles total in a week depending how many day’s scheduled to work. Normally scheduled 3 or 4 days a week. Usually end up making $350-$400 a week. Think it is worth to stay on I know a few group homes can work around $14 an hour full time as well as CAN positions close to where I live and attend school.
Again appreciate any feedback or advice.
Have a good one!

I did it for 2.5 years in undergrad at large state hospital (2001-2003). I earned my Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 2011.

 

[Saffologist]

Before I reply, from what state are you residing?

I was a Mental Health Technician for a few months at a small psychiatric hospital, but am now practicing as a Clinical Therapist in a large medical center after I graduated with my Masters of Arts in Counseling (Clinical Mental Health).

 

[LupaCupcake]

I worked as a tech with adults/adolescents and geri population. I started out on third shift, then second, then first. I actually preferred the adolescents over the adults despite the fact they were highly aggressive. Teenage boys are.....interesting lol. At my hospital we strongly prefer all techs to have a bachelor's degree , however, not all of them do. We all have CPI certifications, CPR...the normal stuff you may expect. I advanced within the company and I am now the patient advocate, however, all of the admin work related to this is sucking the life out of me. I know a former tech that now works in HR so some people prefer going the admin route, I don't.

My situation is somewhat...muddled....so I am unsure of which way I will advance in my education at this time, working on it. None the less, I personally think it is valuable to have the experience of a tech. It is bottom barrel, entry level , get your feet wet kind of work. I actually enjoyed it, even when I was doing 12 hour shifts and my feet were killing me , I loved all of the direct care interaction. I don't miss third shift though lol.

I would say.....you can go any route you want depending on your personal situation. If you are not held back by any issues at home like I am, a psychiatric nurse practitioner is a great option. Less loans than med school, but essentially doing the job of a Psychiatrist (you will work under one though), excellent pay, good job opportunities. I would go that route if my situation made it feasible. If you want to work as a CNA, have at it...however I see CNA as another entry level position and not in anyway an advancement. Question is what do you want? Do you want direct care? Do you want the option to go the admin route one day? Do you want research?

I am probably not the best to give advice....the only truly sound advice I can give is this. You need to figure out what YOU WANT and where your passions are. It took me 3 years in behavioral health to determine without doubt that my passions reside in therapy/direct care. Now I go from here. What is your passion? No matter what route you go, if you are passionate about it and LOVE your work, you will be successful and make it work.

 

[psychrat]

I worked as a psych tech for two years before grad school (first for an ma and now for a phd in clinical psych). The hospital I worked at required a ba.

 

[Cait018]

Question how long have you worked as a Psych/Mental Health Tech for?
I currently work as a mental health counselor (glorified MHT) for a private psychiatric hospital. August 15th will make my one year anniversary.

How did you advance?
As of right now, sadly, the MHC's can only advance (with no increase of education) to be Mental Health Specialists, which get paid a signifcantly small amount greater than us. We basically do the same work, however the MHS's have other privileges such as ordering (supplies and stock etc.) for the hospital. Both positions only require a Bachelor's. If you still want to advance, you have the opportunity to either transition into Social Work (which requires a Master's) or into the Admissions Department (also requires a Master's). Being a MHC is bittersweet, I get the opportunity for extensive experience with disorders and illnesses, however, the therapeutic piece is definitely missing. The therapy groups that I hold are more crisis intervention than discussing adequate coping skills, resiliency topics, etc. That basically meaning, it is VERY difficult to hold a coherent group when majority of your patients are responding to internal stimuli, or are currently experiencing a manic episodes.

What career are you working now?
In December, I will be graduating with my Master's in Mental Health Counseling. I plan to gain about a year of research experience and go on to obtain my Ph.D or Psy.D in Clinical Psychology. I am still debating which, as many factors depend on the end result (funding, accreditation, etc.). I cannot advance to a MHS position unless one is available, to which some MHS's in the hospital have been contently working in those positions for years with only a Bachelor's. (I'm sure you can imagine my slight frustration

What degree did you return to college for?
Refer to top question

What other options outside of Mental Health Clinician, Physician Assistant, Social Worker, and Nurse is there to continue working in the health care field?
As I mentioned above, I plan to obtain my Doctorate. But as of lately, medical school has been looking pretty attractive as well. But the mere thought of taking Organic and Inorganic Chemistry makes me shudder. I obtained my bachelor's in Psychology, thus continuing to do so will probably be most appropriate, and most fulfilling as well.


If you have any more questions, please let me know! Hope this helps!