Becoming a Drug Rehab Technician

Drug Rehab Technicians usually work under the supervision of medical professionals, such as doctors and psychiatrists to help patients on drug addictions issues. Their responsibilities include admitting and discharging patients ; administering group or one-on-one therapy sessions; monitoring patient’s vital signs; observing and recording their behavior; assisting patients with their daily hygiene and meals; helping clients to learn vocational skills needed for healthy life; organizing counseling programs so on and so forth .

Drug Rehab Technician mostly work at rehabilitation centers, but they may also find employment in varieties of settings such as hospitals, clinics, psychiatric hospitals, residential mental health facilities, correctional facilities, community outreach centers, drug or alcohol treatment centers and other health care settings. They also work in private practice and nonprofit rehabilitation agencies. These professionals work full time.

Educational Requirements

To become a Drug Rehab Technician, the aspiring candidates need to hold at least a high school diploma or GED equivalent. However, some states require these technicians to hold a two-year associate degree or a four-year graduate degree in psychology, mental health technology or any other relevant field. Common topics include behavioral health, addiction counseling, group counseling techniques, crisis intervention, abnormal psychology, client management and treatment etc.

Licensure and Certification

Since the position of Drug Rehab Technician requires to be licensed in many states, the aspiring candidates need to earn an exam-based License. These professionals can obtain certification through the American Association of Psychiatric Technicians (AAPT).

Skill Set

Drug Rehab Technicians posses varieties of traits, such as strong listening abilities, excellent crisis management skills, empathy towards patients, compassionate to work for long duration, ability to work with aggressive clients, motivating skills, effective communications and interpersonal skills, competent in computer skills etc.

Job Outlook and Salary

The job outlook for a Drug Rehab Technician remains excellent across the USA. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the growth rate for job opportunities in this profession may rise 31 per cent during 2012-2022. The average annual salary of a Drug Rehab Technician was $31,280 as of May 2013.