Psychiatric Technician, PRN

University of Utah Health•Salt Lake City, UT

About The Position

This position provides a safe, supportive, and therapeutic environment for psychiatric patients and assists with basic patient care needs. The Psychiatric Technician works as part of an interdisciplinary treatment team, contributing observations and support to patient treatment, teaching, and discharge planning. This is a PRN (as-needed) position with a variable schedule and no benefits.

Requirements

At least six months of behavioral health or direct patient care experience; experience may include CNA, MA, HCA, teacher’s aide, or assistant work.
Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system; the eCredential must be obtained within 30 days of hire.
Ability to recognize possible adverse medication reactions and promptly report them to the Registered Nurse.
Ability to assess whether a patient may harm themselves or others, report concerns to the Registered Nurse, and assist with restraints and seclusion.
Interpersonal skills to gain patients’ trust and respond appropriately in crisis situations.
Ability to use group-dynamics principles when co-leading groups to develop members’ social, behavioral, and communication skills.
Knowledge and skills to provide care appropriate to the ages of patients served on the assigned unit.
Knowledge of lifespan growth and development principles and ability to assess patient-status data and provide care according to departmental policies and procedures.
Demonstrated human-relations and effective communication skills.
Ability to meet the physical demands with or without accommodation, including intensive work that may exert up to 100 pounds and may consistently involve lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or otherwise moving equipment or patients.
Ability to work in an environment where workers may be exposed to infectious diseases.
Meet any additional license requirements determined by the hiring department.

Responsibilities

Help maintain a safe, hazard-free environment by observing and documenting patient behavior, conducting room searches, reporting unsafe conditions, and providing appropriate emotional and physical support.
Assist with patient admissions by gathering routine information for nursing assessment, searching patients and their belongings for contraband, and documenting personal effects and other relevant information.
Orient patients and their families to the facility, its policies, and its procedures.
Escort patients to off-unit appointments and activities, using therapeutic interventions to support the safety of patients, staff, and visitors.
Encourage participation in recreational activities and group therapies to support a therapeutic milieu.
Provide supportive therapy to select patients by leading activity and conversation groups.
Assist in developing patient behavioral contracts.
May precept new Psychiatric Technicians and assist other staff at the same level.
Assist with unit training and quality assurance programs and provide an annual educational in-service to coworkers.
Participate as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team.
Assist with patient treatment planning, teaching, and discharge planning.
Participate in patient care team conferences by sharing observations about progress toward goals and assisting the primary Registered Nurse with developing, evaluating, and revising patient care plans.