Outpatient Psychiatric Technician

VENESCO, LLC•Portsmouth, VA

34d•Onsite

About The Position

Psychiatric Technicians needed to make a difference in the lives of those who serve our country!! Everyday military service members put their lives of the line to protect our country. Providing mental health care to the military system is an honorable profession and in high demand. Are you ready to use your talents and experience to make a difference in the lives of military service members and their families? Venesco, LLC is looking for a Psychiatric Technician to support military members and their families at the outpatient clinics at Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, VA. Competitive compensation packages offered. Submit your resume now for consideration! Hours: This position is in the outpatient clinics. Hours of the clinics are Monday through Friday 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Psychiatric Technician will be scheduled for 8.5 or 9 hour shift with 0.5 or 1.0 hour lunch. Specific Duties 1. Demonstrate sound psychiatric theoretical and practical approaches in providing patient care. 2. Demonstrate a sound understanding and assist in the management of a therapeutic milieu; providing structure, social support, patient-education, safety and social skills training. 3. Develop a therapeutic relationship with psychiatric patients; observe patient progress during treatment. 4. Oversee, escort, and/or act as a therapeutic participant in patient activities in the outpatient psychiatric clinic and outpatient programs. 5. Utilize therapeutic assessment and interview skills to elicit accurate and concise account of the patient's condition. This may include psychological and neuropsychological psychometrician duties. Psychometric training, and technically directed specific work requirements will be provided by a privileged Psychologist or Psychiatrist, depending upon clinical service needs within the HCW’s assigned clinical area. 6. Document patient-care using proper terminology and in accordance with department/directorate policy. 7. Utilize sound judgment and crisis intervention skills, including physical restraint, to prevent or reverse, situations which, may be potentially harmful. Follow MTF and unit specific policies for Seclusion/Restraint, Elopement and Management of the assaultive patient. 8. Demonstrate a sound understanding of psychotropic medications including actions, side effects and common dosages. 9. Perform assigned patient care and procedures under the technical direction of a professional nurse. 10. Screen patients to determine presenting problems and priority of appointment. This may entail telephone triage or in-person evaluation. Perform basic assessment procedures, including initial screening evaluation and standardized psychological testing. Assist credentialed providers with identifying mental health diagnosis and treatment strategies, as well as providing patient education. 11. Assist in providing specialized treatment and rehabilitation of mental health patients. Assist in conducting individual and group therapy sessions. Observes, monitors, reports, and records patient interaction: and progress as necessary and appropriate for outpatient clinic and/or outpatient program. 12. Perform ongoing risk assessment; assist in maintaining therapeutic milieu. Institute precautionary measures to prevent patient injuries due-to suicide, homicide, or elopement. 13. Present or facilitate a variety of health and wellness programs, including but not limited to stress management, suicide intervention, and smoking cessation. Conduct various programs in support of MTF clinics. 14. Coordinate with other base agencies and Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) regarding specialized care, treatment, and administrative functions. Contact military or community agencies to obtain collateral information. 15. Explain and interpret mental health services and procedures to access care to patients and commands. Assist in or arranges for patient referral to other facilities for alternate level of care. 16. Coordinate and perform routine training in prevention and management of assaultive behavior. 17. Assist with patient education. 18. Additional duties as requested.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited Psychiatric Technician Program; or completion of an equivalent education and experience that meets the requirement of the American Association of Psychiatric Technicians (www.psychtechs.org);
OR
Completion of education and experience as a corpsman in the United States military and proof of having completed an Armed Forces course involving neuropsychiatric nursing and an Armed Forces or civilian course from an accredited school in the care of the developmentally disabled client.
OR
A current unrestricted license to practice as an LVN in any one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam or the U.S. Virgin Islands with a minimum of twelve (12) months experience within the preceding twenty-four (24) months in a psychiatric setting.
Possess at least twelve (12) months full time experience within the preceding twenty-four (24) months as either a Psychiatric Technician or Mental Health Technician or LPN.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate sound psychiatric theoretical and practical approaches in providing patient care.
Demonstrate a sound understanding and assist in the management of a therapeutic milieu; providing structure, social support, patient-education, safety and social skills training.
Develop a therapeutic relationship with psychiatric patients; observe patient progress during treatment.
Oversee, escort, and/or act as a therapeutic participant in patient activities in the outpatient psychiatric clinic and outpatient programs.
Utilize therapeutic assessment and interview skills to elicit accurate and concise account of the patient's condition. This may include psychological and neuropsychological psychometrician duties.
Document patient-care using proper terminology and in accordance with department/directorate policy.
Utilize sound judgment and crisis intervention skills, including physical restraint, to prevent or reverse, situations which, may be potentially harmful.
Demonstrate a sound understanding of psychotropic medications including actions, side effects and common dosages.
Perform assigned patient care and procedures under the technical direction of a professional nurse.
Screen patients to determine presenting problems and priority of appointment.
Assist in providing specialized treatment and rehabilitation of mental health patients.
Perform ongoing risk assessment; assist in maintaining therapeutic milieu.
Present or facilitate a variety of health and wellness programs, including but not limited to stress management, suicide intervention, and smoking cessation.
Coordinate with other base agencies and Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) regarding specialized care, treatment, and administrative functions.
Explain and interpret mental health services and procedures to access care to patients and commands.
Coordinate and perform routine training in prevention and management of assaultive behavior.
Assist with patient education.
Additional duties as requested.