Becoming a psychiatrist's assistant is a great opportunity for Advanced Practitioners seeking a challenging and rewarding medical specialty. Gone are the days of Freud and the Psychiatrist's couch. Working in psychiatry today is dynamic and ever expanding as our knowledge of the human mind grows.
Most APs Working in Psychiatry provide services that include:
The diagnosis, treatment and prevention of a variety of behavioral, emotional and mental disorders. Examples of such disorders include schizophrenia, substance use disorders, ADHD, conduct disorder, anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder to name a few.
Working in psychiatry requires APs to evaluate both the physical and mental causes of a patient's issues. This can require the use of physical examination techniques, extensive history assessment and as needed, diagnostic testing.
Advanced Practitioners working in psychiatry frequently utilize cognitive testing, medications and psychotherapy/counseling to address their patients disorders.
Some Psychiatric APs also assist Physicians with the performance of advanced procedures like Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Deep Brain Stimulation.
Working in Different Psychiatric Specialties
Advanced Practitioners working in psychiatry who are interested in expanded psychiatric practice options may find employment opportunities in areas like:
- Addiction Medicine
- Telemedicine
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Emergency Medicine
- Occupational Therapy
- and Geriatric Psychiatry
Practice Locations for APs Working in Psychiatry
Most psychiatric Advanced Practitioners provide care in hospitals (general and psychiatric), inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities, prisons, military settings, VA clinics, rehabilitation centers, private clinics and with government agencies.
Additional Psychiatric Specialty Training:
Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants have different options when it comes to additional training opportunities when becoming a psychiatrist's assistant. According to the American Nursing Credentialing Center, Nurse Practitioners can pursue a variety of psychiatric specialty certifications. Those interested in working with an adult patient population can obtain a Nurse Practitioner certification in Adult Psychiatric-Mental Health (PMHNP-BC) and Psychiatric-Mental Health, Across the Lifespan (PMHNP-BC). A pediatric certification as a Pediatric Care Mental Health Specialist (PMHS) is also available through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board.
Physician Assistants are not required to obtain any specialty certifications to work in Psychiatry but may choose to pursue further educational options. There is a Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in Psychiatry, awarded by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) that is earned after passing an exam and completing focused CME requirements. Some PA's may choose to enroll in a Psychiatry Fellowship in order to advance their knowledge of this field. These Fellowships involve both didactic and clinical work at an Academic Medical Center that generally spans a year.
Compensation for APs Working in Psychiatry
Nurse Practitioner salaries working in psychiatry can vary considerably based on geographic location but average $116,857 a year according to Indeed.com. Physician Assistants working in Psychiatry can expect to earn about $93,600 a year according to reports from Payscale.com.
To view opportunities for Advanced Practitioners in Psychiatry go to PracticeMatch Advanced Practitioners Jobs.
Find A Psychiatry Advanced Practitioner Position with PracticeMatch
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