Mental Health Jobs

As healthcare workers in general are becoming more needed throughout the country, mental health jobs, in particular, are becoming more essential. Most of the jobs in the mental health field can be broken down into two categories: those that require a degree and those that require a certificate or other training.

Some of the jobs that require a degree are a psychiatrist, psychologist, counselor/therapist, speech and language pathologist, and psychiatric nurse. Some of the jobs that require a certificate or other training are a psychiatric tech, medical transcriptionist, medical records clerk, and vocational rehab counselor. Many community colleges have certification programs and training for getting started in the mental health field. If you are interested in continuing to a four-year college, you may be able to transfer credits earned at a community college toward a degree as a mental health professional.

How to Find Mental Health Jobs

The mental health field is largely funded by governmental agencies. One area to consider when looking for a job in mental health is your state job services department or county offices. Another option is to check out the human resources office at your local hospital.

Mental health jobs can also be found in the private sector. Jobs in private practice or with a doctor who has a private practice may pay more. Pay rates for jobs in the mental health field vary, depending on where you live and your experience. Listings for the average rate of pay for different jobs can be found at http://www.findtherightcareer.com and http://www.payscale.com.