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Psychiatric Technicians

The short answer

This job is less likely to change much. Most of the work is the kind AI can't help with. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to grow over the next decade, with about 214 openings expected each year.

Step 1

Where your job stands

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second least exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. Most of what it involves isn't the kind of work AI can take over.

How much AI could touch this job

Less exposedband 2 of 5
least exposedmost exposed

Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about a third of this job's tasks.

What this means

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second least exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.

Step 2

What AI can and can’t help with in this job

This job is in the second least exposed fifth of New York jobs for AI exposure. The tasks below show why: most of what it involves is work AI can't simply take over.

AI can help with or automate about 25% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. Issue medications from dispensary and maintain records in accordance with specified procedures.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  2. Monitor patients' physical and emotional well-being and report unusual behavior or physical ailments to medical staff.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  3. Interview new patients to complete admission forms, to assess their mental health status, or to obtain their mental health and treatment history.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  4. Develop or teach strategies to promote client wellness and independence.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Provide nursing, psychiatric, or personal care to patients with cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Administer oral medications or hypodermic injections, following physician's prescriptions and hospital procedures.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. Encourage patients to develop work skills and to participate in social, recreational, or other therapeutic activities that enhance interpersonal skills or develop social relationships.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  4. Restrain violent, potentially violent, or suicidal patients by verbal or physical means as required.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  5. Lead prescribed individual or group therapy sessions as part of specific therapeutic procedures.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

Step 3

Jobs you could switch to

If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.

See related jobs in

The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.

  • Physical Therapists

    Very similar work
    +73% pay1,011 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 73% more—$103,479 vs your $59,704 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a doctoral or professional degree.

    Getting ready typically takes more than four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Psychology
    • Therapy and Counseling
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Active Listening
    • Social Perceptiveness

    New skills to build

    • Medicine and Dentistry
    • Biology
    • Physics
    • Education and Training
    • Sales and Marketing
  • Physical Therapist Assistants

    Similar work
    +10% pay880 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 10% more—$65,719 vs your $59,704 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires an associate's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Psychology
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Active Listening
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression

    New skills to build

    • Biology
  • Occupational Therapy Assistants

    Somewhat similar work
    +18% pay521 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 18% more—$70,270 vs your $59,704 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires an associate's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Psychology
    • Therapy and Counseling
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

    Somewhat similar work
    +37% pay1,883 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 37% more—$81,604 vs your $59,704 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a master's degree, plus internship/residency.

    Getting ready typically takes more than four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Psychology
    • Therapy and Counseling
    • Social Perceptiveness
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Active Listening

    New skills to build

    • Originality
    • Complex Problem Solving
    • Fluency of Ideas
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Persuasion