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Psychiatric Assistant Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Psychiatric Registered Nurse

Washington, DC ยท On-site

$2.0K - $2.8K/wk

Collaborate with other healthcare professionals to develop and implement treatment plans. * Assist in the management of psychiatric emergencies and crisis situations. * Conduct patient education on ...

Psychiatric Registered Nurse

Washington, DC ยท On-site

$2.0K - $2.8K/wk

Collaborate with other healthcare professionals to develop and implement treatment plans. * Assist in the management of psychiatric emergencies and crisis situations. * Conduct patient education on ...

Seeking a resilient and trustworthy individual for our local assistance role near 20217. 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 Reston, VA salary details

$12

$23

$35

How much do psychiatric assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for psychiatric assistant in Reston, VA is $23.16, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.03 and $27.02 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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 requirements of the employer and state regulations.

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 are the most commonly searched types of Psychiatric jobs in Reston, VA? The most popular types of Psychiatric jobs in Reston, VA are:
What are popular job titles related to Psychiatric Assistant jobs in Reston, VA? For Psychiatric Assistant jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Psychiatric Assistant jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Psychiatric Assistant job openings:
Infographic showing various Psychiatric Assistant job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 24% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,173 per year, or $23.2 per hour.

Psychiatric Registered Nurse- PRN

Psychiatric Institute of Washington

Washington, DC โ€ข On-site

$1.9K - $2.7K/wk

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

Responsibilities

Registered Nurse (RN) 

7am- 7pm  or 7pm - 7am

The Psychiatric Institute of Washington provides comprehensive behavioral healthcare for children, adolescents, adults, and senior adults suffering from mental health and addictive illnesses.  PIW is a 130 bed, short-term, acute care hospital offering inpatient, partial and intensive outpatient hospitalization, as well as specialized treatment programs for chemical dependency.  PIW has an excellent reputation as an innovative hospital with caring, dedicated staff, experienced in the delivery of behavioral healthcare.  Situated in the safe, historical Tenleytown neighborhood, PIW is one mile from the Tenleytown Metro stop and within walking distance to local cafes and restaurants.  

Benefit Highlights:

Our employees are our most valuable asset and we are dedicated to provide a challenging and rewarding work environment to all our employees. 

  • Generous Paid Time Off
  • Excellent Medical, Dental, Vision and Prescription Drug Plans
  • 401(K) with company match and discounted stock plan
  • UHS employee discounted stock option plan
  • Tuition Reimbursement and Student Loan Repay Program
  • Employee Assistant Program (EAP)
  • Life Insurance and Disability Insurances
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Pre-tax Metro SmartTrip Benefits 
  • Career development opportunities within UHS and its 300+ Subsidiaries!

What do our current nurses value at Psychiatric Institute of Washington & UHS?

A safe and supportive environment that puts patient care first and values the nursing profession.  One of the most rewarding aspects of working as a Registered Nurse (RN) is providing excellent care, comfort, and security to the patients and families you treat, at their most vulnerable times.  You are never alone, as you are part of a large, nationwide network of peer nurses and nursing leaders that educate the field, routinely exchange ideas, and review current topics within the industry.  Having the opportunity to grow, learn, and advance in your career through our Charge, Supervisor and Nurse Manager-in-training programs and nursing executive tract.  We are proud of our robust continuing education options and opportunities for skills diversification and career advancement as a Registered Nurse (RN) with UHS.  We want to help you succeed and grow in your profession and enjoy a sense of belonging and trust that comes through your expanding experience.  At UHS, you have a voice.

Who we are:  

One of the nationโ€™s largest and most respected providers of hospital and healthcare services, Universal Health Services, Inc. has built an impressive record of achievement and performance. Growing steadily since its inception into an esteemed Fortune 500 corporation, annual revenues were $11.6 billion in 2020. In 2021, UHS was again recognized as one of the Worldโ€™s Most Admired Companies by Fortune; in 2020, ranked #281 on the Fortune 500; and listed #330 in Forbes ranking of U.S.โ€™ Largest Public Companies. Headquartered in King of Prussia, PA, UHS has 89,000 employees and through its subsidiaries operates 26 acute care hospitals, 334 behavioral health facilities, 39 outpatient facilities and ambulatory care access points, an insurance offering, a physician network and various related services located in 38 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom.

Qualifications
  • Current license to practice nursing in District of Columbia (or eligible to receive or renew)
  • Previous psychiatric, behavioral, or mental health nursing experience is helpful but not required
  • Current CPR or BLS certification, required
  • ANA Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing certification preferred.
  • Candidates must meet the companyโ€™s hiring criteria to include a pre-employment verifications, background investigation and drug test.

COVID Requirements
PIW requires its staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (including any booster shots if required), where allowable under the law, unless they are approved for a reasonable accommodation based on disability, medical condition, or religious belief that prevents them from being vaccinated.

E-VERIFY Statement

PIW participates in E-Verify. We will provide the Social Security Administration, and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employeeโ€™s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. Please note that we do not use this information to pre-screen job applicants.

EEO Statement

All UHS subsidiaries are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates. UHS subsidiaries are equal opportunity employers and as such, openly support and fully commit to recruitment, selection, placement, promotion and compensation of individuals without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), genetic information, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

We believe that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success.

Notice

At UHS and all our subsidiaries, our Human Resources departments and recruiters are here to help prospective candidates by matching skillset and experience with the best possible career path at UHS and our subsidiaries. We take pride in creating a highly efficient and best in class candidate experience. During the recruitment process, no recruiter or employee will request financial or personal information (Social Security Number, credit card or bank information, etc.) from you via email. The recruiters will not email you from a public webmail client like Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, etc. If you are suspicious of a job posting or job-related email mentioning UHS or its subsidiaries, let us know by contacting us at: https://uhs.alertline.com or 1-800-852- 3449.