1.5 The Skills and Qualities That Make a Great Technician

You do not need to be a certain kind of person to do this job, but a few qualities make it much easier. The good news is that these are skills you can grow, not just traits you are born with. Federal labor experts point to five qualities again and again.

Compassion

You will spend your day with people who are struggling. Caring about them, and showing it, is the foundation of the work. Compassion does not mean fixing everything. It means treating each person with dignity, even when they are hard to be around.

Interpersonal skills

Building trust with patients takes warmth and patience. You also need to work well with the rest of the team. A technician who communicates clearly and gets along with coworkers makes the whole unit run better.

Observational skills

So much of this job is noticing. You must watch patients closely and pick up on changes in mood or behavior. A small shift — a patient who suddenly stops eating, or who seems unusually calm after being upset — can be an important clue. Sharp eyes keep people safe.

Patience

Progress in mental health care is often slow, and setbacks are normal. Patients may repeat themselves, resist help, or have hard days. Staying calm and steady, instead of frustrated, is part of the craft.

Physical stamina

As we said, you will be on your feet, and the work can be physically demanding. Reasonable fitness and good body mechanics help you finish your shift strong and avoid injury.