Psychiatric Care Technician

Decypher•North Chicago, IL

18d•Onsite

About The Position

The Psychiatric Care Technician provides clinical and administrative support in an outpatient psychiatric setting. The role assists with patient screening, basic assessments, therapeutic interventions, crisis management, and care coordination in accordance with established competencies and clinic policies. The technician monitors patient safety, documents and reports findings, facilitates psychoeducational programs, supports rehabilitation efforts, and collaborates with providers and external agencies to help deliver comprehensive mental health services. The position is onsite at Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago, Illinois, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Compensation is up to $26.00 per hour plus H&W. A $1,500 sign-on bonus is offered.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited Psychiatric Technician Program; NCPT certification or state license is a plus but not required.
Alternatively, completion of equivalent education and experience meeting American Association of Psychiatric Technicians (AAPT) requirements.
Alternatively, completion of education and experience as a behavioral science specialist/technician in the U.S. military, plus proof of completing an Armed Forces psychiatric technician training course or an accredited civilian course in care of behavioral health patients.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
One year of experience as a Psychiatric Technician after graduation.
U.S. citizenship is required.
Ability to lift 20–25 lbs independently may be required.
Ability to stand for long periods.

Nice To Haves

NCPT certification or a state license.

Responsibilities

Monitor, escort, and/or participate therapeutically in patient activities in the outpatient psychiatric clinic and outpatient programs.
Provide care using appropriate infection-control and safety techniques as planned or ordered.
Document care according to clinic policy and promptly notify the mental health provider in charge of abnormal or unusual findings.
Screen patients to identify presenting problems and appointment priority, including telephone triage or in-person evaluation.
Perform basic assessments, including initial screening evaluations and standardized psychological testing.
Assist credentialed providers in identifying mental health diagnoses and treatment strategies, and provide patient education.
Assist with specialized treatment and rehabilitation of mental health patients.
Assist with individual and group therapy sessions.
Observe, monitor, report, and record patient interactions and progress.
Implement precautions to prevent injuries related to suicide, homicide, or elopement.
Perform verbal de-escalation and apply manual or mechanical restraints as needed.
Maintain certification in Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behaviors (PMDB), Levels I–IV, through required training.
Present or facilitate health and wellness programs, including stress management, suicide prevention/intervention, and smoking cessation.
Conduct programs in support of the clinic.
Coordinate specialized care, treatment, and administrative functions with other base agencies and medical treatment facilities.
Contact military or community agencies to obtain collateral information.
Explain mental health services and procedures for accessing care to patients and commands.
Assist with or arrange referrals to other facilities for an alternate level of care.
Provide care to mentally ill or emotionally disturbed patients and participate in rehabilitation and treatment programs.
Measure and record general physical condition, including weight, pulse, temperature, and respiration, to provide daily information.
Observe patients for behavior patterns and report observations to medical staff.
Co-facilitate prescribed individual or group psychoeducational sessions as part of therapeutic procedures and independently facilitate educational groups.
Schedule new and follow-up clinic appointments according to applicable service SOPs and FHCC instructions.