Psychiatric Assistants (Enlisted)
Opportunities
Psychiatric assistants help psychiatrists or other healthcare professionals with diagnosing, preventing, and treating mental disorders. Psychiatric assistants may work in outpatient or inpatient settings and are available to help service members suffering from combat-related disorders along with their families. They interview and observe patients and provide them with counseling. Often these professionals represent the front lines of treatment for service members suffering with psychological conditions.
Training Provided
Psychiatric assistants in the Military will gain skills through classroom study, laboratory demonstrations, practical exercises, and on-the-job experience.
- Patient care techniques
- Emergency medical treatment
- Working on a medical team
- Clinical laboratory procedures
- Medical management information systems
All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training.
Earnings
Military pay and benefits are set by Congress, which normally grants a cost-of-living pay increase once each year. All members of the military receive "basic pay," which is the largest component of a member's pay. A member's grade (usually the same as rank) and years of service determines the amount of basic pay received. Enlisted members can progress through nine enlisted pay grades during their careers. In 2024, most enlisted personnel started as recruits at Grade E-1 ($2017/month basic pay); however, those with special skills or above average education started as high as Grade E-4 ($2634/month basic pay). In addition to pay, the military provides many of life's necessities, such as food, clothing, and housing, or pays allowances for them. Other benefits include health care, 30 days paid vacation, legal assistance, recreational programs, education assistance, and military store privileges.
Services offering this occupation
Army
Navy