They observe patients and report any signs which might be important for the professional staff to know. They accompany patients to and from wards for examination and treatment. Because they have the closest contact with patients, psychiatric aides have a great deal of influence on patients' outlook and treatment. Most full-time aides work about 40 hours a week, but because patients need care 24 hours a day, some aides work evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Many work part-time.
Aides spend many hours standing and walking.
Since they may have to move partially paralyzed patients in and out of bed or help them stand or walk, aides must guard against back injury. They also care for disoriented and irritable patients. Psychiatric aides must be prepared to care for patients whose disease may cause violent behavior. While their work can be emotionally demanding, many aides gain satisfaction from assisting those in need. Employment Nursing aides held about 1,265,000 jobs in 1994, and psychiatric aides held about 105,000 jobs.