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Psychiatric Assistant Jobs in Ohio (NOW HIRING)

Seeking a resilient and trustworthy individual for our local assistance role near 44991. This position plays a crucial part in providing support and aid to the community. The ideal candidate should ...

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Psychiatric Assistant information

See Ohio salary details

$11

$21

$32

How much do psychiatric assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for psychiatric assistant in Ohio is $21.16, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.44 and $24.66 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a psychiatric assistant?

Psychiatric assistants are healthcare professionals who support nurses and doctors in caring for patients with mental health conditions. They assist with daily living activities, help maintain a safe environment, observe and report patient behavior, and may participate in therapeutic activities. Psychiatric assistants typically work in hospitals, mental health facilities, or residential treatment centers, playing a key role in supporting patients' emotional and physical well-being.

What does a psychiatric assistant do?

As a psychiatric assistant, your responsibilities involve supporting people with mental health issues at a mental health care facility. You provide basic medical care by monitoring vital signs and dispensing medications. Your duties include assisting patients with bathing, dressing, and eating. You aid in facility management by keeping patient rooms and common areas clean and safe. Finally, you work with the clinical staff to help patients learn coping and life skills through educational and recreational programs and provide transportation to and from group activities. Job qualifications include an interest in social work or psychology and a desire to help others.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a psychiatric assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Psychiatric Assistant, you need foundational knowledge of mental health care, basic patient care skills, and at least a high school diploma or equivalent, with some employers preferring relevant certifications or coursework. Familiarity with electronic health records (EHRs), crisis intervention techniques, and safety protocols is typically required. Patience, strong observational abilities, and effective interpersonal communication help build rapport with patients and support clinical staff. These skills and qualities are vital for maintaining a safe, supportive environment and delivering effective care to individuals experiencing mental health challenges.

What are some common challenges psychiatric assistants face when working with patients, and how can they be addressed?

Psychiatric assistants often encounter challenges such as managing unpredictable patient behaviors, de-escalating tense situations, and maintaining personal boundaries while providing compassionate care. These challenges can be addressed through thorough training in crisis intervention, strong communication skills, and regular team debriefings to share strategies and support. Building rapport with patients and collaborating closely with nurses, therapists, and other mental health professionals also helps create a safer, more supportive environment for everyone involved.

What is the difference between Psychiatric Assistant vs Mental Health Technician?

AspectPsychiatric AssistantMental Health Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require certificationHigh school diploma or equivalent; certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentHospitals, mental health clinics, psychiatric unitsHospitals, residential facilities, community mental health centers
Job DutiesAssist patients with daily activities, monitor behavior, support treatment plansAssist with patient care, observe and report patient progress, support therapeutic activities

Both Psychiatric Assistants and Mental Health Technicians work in mental health settings, providing patient support and care. While their roles overlap in assisting with daily activities and monitoring patients, Psychiatric Assistants often focus more on basic care and support, whereas Mental Health Technicians may have additional responsibilities in observing and reporting patient progress. Both roles typically require similar credentials and are employed in similar environments.

How many years to be a psychiatric assistant?

Becoming a psychiatric assistant typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with some positions preferring or requiring post-secondary education or certification in mental health or healthcare. Most employers do not specify a set number of years of experience but may require on-the-job training or relevant coursework; the role often involves supervised work under licensed professionals. Certification or training programs can range from a few months to a year, depending on the specific requirements of the employer or state regulations.

What are the most commonly searched types of Psychiatric jobs in Ohio?

The most popular types of Psychiatric jobs in Ohio are:

What cities in Ohio are hiring for Psychiatric Assistant jobs?

Cities in Ohio with the most Psychiatric Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various Psychiatric Assistant job openings in Ohio as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,021 per year, or $21.2 per hour.

Nursing Department Assistant (NDA) III - Adult Psych

Cleveland, OH • On-site


Cleveland Clinic

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 911 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

345th of 893 rated healthcare providers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by students


Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago


Job description

Join Cleveland Clinic's Lutheran Hospital where research and surgery are advanced, technology is leading-edge, patient care is world-class, and caregivers are family. Lutheran Hospital's Magnet status, the highest international recognition for excellence in nursing, recognition as a Center of Excellence in Orthopedics, and high patient satisfaction scores exemplify the top-quality care that patients receive, and caregivers provide here. Located near downtown Cleveland, you will enjoy its wide variety of shopping and dining, proximity to sporting events, and the option of walking or biking to work.

Lutheran Hospital's 2B Adult Psychiatry Unit is part of the Acute Adult Behavioral Health Center and provides around-the-clock care for adult and older adult patients with acute behavioral, emotional and/or psychiatric disorders who require close supervision, ongoing assessment and/or intensive treatment.As Nursing Department Assistant III on this unit, you will provide support with patient daily living activities and room maintenance alongside your fellow caregivers. In this role, you will also assist with various related tasks, such as performing EKGs, monitoring blood glucose levels, collecting specimens, documenting vital signs and more. This position is an excellent entry point into an exciting nursing career, propelling you into a world of innovation at Cleveland Clinic.

A caregiver in this role works evenings from 3:00 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

A caregiver who excels in this role will:

  • Assist with wide variety of patient care tasks and collaborate with members of health care teams to promote the delivery of patient care.

  • Organize patient care assignments to ensure timely delivery and completion of care on assigned patients.

  • Document the care provided in patient record and label specimens properly.

  • Ask patient about pain and report to the RN/LPN as needed.

  • Maintain orderliness and cleanliness of units, including patient/unit equipment.

  • Keep patient areas neat and uncluttered and prepare rooms for patient admissions.

  • Clean and maintain patient/unit equipment (i.e., over-bed tables, bed pans, bedside commodes, etc.).

  • Report any problems (i.e., equipment, supplies and maintenance problems) immediately to the RN.

  • Make hourly patient rounds to assure safety measures are in place (i.e., side rails up as needed, beds are in low, locked position, phone and call lights are within the patients' reach and restraints are applied appropriately).

  • Ensure all bed alarms are activated during hourly rounds.

Minimum qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include:

  • High School Diploma/GED

  • Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification through the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross within new hire period

Preferred qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include:

  • State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA) Certification

  • Previous nursing assistance experience

Physical Requirements:

  • Requires full range of body motion including handling and frequent patient lifting, manual and finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination.

  • Requires frequent standing, walking, bending/stooping, kneeling, reaching and squatting.

  • Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range.

  • Exposure to communicable diseases and/or body fluids.

  • Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

  • Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.

Personal Protective Equipment:

  • Follows standard precautions using personal protective equipment as required.

Pay Range

Salaries [which may be] shown on independent job search websites reflect various market averages and do not represent information obtained directly from The Cleveland Clinic. Because we value each individual candidate, we invite and encourage each candidate to discuss salary/hourly specifics during the application and hiring process.


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