Description
Assess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families with mental health or substance use disorders or the potential for such disorders. Apply therapeutic activities, including the prescription of medication, per state regulations, and the administration of psychotherapy.
Interests
- Investigative
- Social
Work Values
- Relationships
- Working Conditions
- Support
Work Styles
- Integrity
- Concern for Others
- Dependability
- Stress Tolerance
- Attention to Detail
Tasks
- Assess patients' mental and physical status, based on the presenting symptoms and complaints.
- Diagnose psychiatric disorders and mental health conditions.
- Document patients' medical and psychological histories, physical assessment results, diagnoses, treatment plans, prescriptions, or outcomes.
- Educate patients and family members about mental health and medical conditions, preventive health measures, medications, or treatment plans.
- Write prescriptions for psychotropic medications as allowed by state regulations and collaborative practice agreements.
Work Activities
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Detailed Work Activities
- Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
- Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
- Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Technology Skills
- Data base user interface and query software
- Medical software
- Spreadsheet software
- Electronic mail software
- Office suite software
Skills
- Active Listening
- Social Perceptiveness
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Judgment and Decision Making
Knowledge
- Psychology
- Therapy and Counseling
- English Language
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Biology
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Certified Cognitive-Behavioral TherapistCertifying Organization
National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation PractitionerCertifying Organization
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing (PMH-BC)Certifying Organization
American Nurses Credentialing Center
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health SpecialistCertifying Organization
Pediatric Nursing Certification Board
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Diplomate in Cognitive-Behavioral TherapyCertifying Organization
National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists
Type
Advanced
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $NaN |
| Median (50%) | $NaN |
| High (90%) | $NaN |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–7 years), to senior level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
| Entry Level | $50,000 |
| Mid Level | $100,000 |
| Senior Level | $150,000 |
Employability
There are currently 3,300,100 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 3,497,300 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 6%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 6%
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), with ONET® being a registered trademark of USDOL/ETA. Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA; CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (DOLETA) and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED); and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
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