The psychiatric technician: trespasser or welcomed ally?

1. The increasing shortage of nurses, higher patient acuity levels, and greater demands placed on nursing to meet standards of care have contributed to the use of psychiatric technicians to alleviate the burden on nursing and ensure the delivery of quality patient care. 2. Psychiatric technicians provide care for a select group of patients under the supervision of the primary nurse. The patients assigned to psychiatric technicians require minimal direct nursing intervention. 3. Psychiatric technicians reported increased self-confidence and self-esteem; the nurses were able to perform more professional nursing activities, increasing their job satisfaction and promoting staff retention; and the patients received high-quality care.