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.
The field of psychiatry offers unique opportunities for advanced practitioners (APs) like nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs). As the need for mental health services grows, APs are playing a vital role in bridging the gap caused by psychiatrist shortages, providing both therapeutic care and medication management across diverse patient populations.
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
Psychiatric APs earn competitive salaries that vary by region and experience:
- Psychiatric NPs: In 2024, psychiatric NPs earn an average annual salary of $130,000, with top earners in states like California reaching up to $181,670 due to high demand and full practice authority. New Jersey and New York also offer lucrative salaries around $160,000 annually (NursingProcess.org; PracticeMatch).
- Psychiatric PAs: Physician assistants specializing in psychiatry typically earn between $106,720 and $128,273 annually, depending on location and experience. Their versatility allows them to work in diverse mental health settings while supporting psychiatrists and healthcare teams (Salary.com).
To view opportunities for Advanced Practitioners in Psychiatry go to PracticeMatch Advanced Practitioners Jobs.
Why Choose Psychiatry as a Specialty?
- High Demand and Job Security: Mental health services are in increasing demand across the U.S., driven by rising awareness and efforts to address mental health crises.
- Opportunities for Autonomy: Many states, including California and Washington, allow psychiatric NPs to practice independently, which enhances job flexibility and satisfaction.
- Specialization Opportunities: APs can pursue sub-specialties such as addiction medicine, child psychiatry, and geriatric psychiatry, offering a wide range of career paths.
Find A Psychiatry Advanced Practitioner Position with PracticeMatch
Is the field of psychiatry right for you? PracticeMatch is a free online resource for advanced practitioners providing a comprehensive database on nation-wide positions in psychiatry. Search available jobs today.
*Originally posted on 5/26/2020. Last updated on 10/10/2024.
Madison Tarrant - Director of Career Fair Operations. You can stay connected with me on LinkedIn for all of the latest PracticeMatch articles and upcoming events.