Psychiatric Technician - Behavioral Health - Full Time, Nights 7PM - 7AM, Alternating weekends

NYU Langone Health•Village of Patchogue, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

NYU Langone Hospital—Suffolk is hiring a Psychiatric Technician to work with an adult psychiatric population in an emergency setting. In collaboration with Behavioral Health staff, the technician provides observation, care, and treatment. The role requires good interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced healthcare environment. The technician follows direction from the shift Charge RN, Nurse Manager, and/or a member of the Behavioral Health Management Team. Responsibilities include observing and documenting patient behavior and changes in physical or psychological condition; communicating relevant observations to nursing staff; supporting patient safety, privacy, confidentiality, and rights; assisting with restraint and seclusion procedures in accordance with hospital policies; performing observation assignments and rounds; completing admission, belongings, contraband-search, and other assigned documentation; and helping with patient activities and daily needs. The technician also assists with department operations, including meals, laundry, transportation, and patient discharge tasks. The position is full-time, overnight from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., with alternating weekends. The listed annual salary is $51,597. Actual salary may depend on experience, specialty, education, and hospital need. The stated salary does not include bonuses, incentive or differential pay, or other compensation or benefits.

Requirements

High school diploma or comparable education equivalent.
Ability to work effectively with Behavioral Health patients.
Knowledge of non-violent crisis intervention technique.
First Aid training.
BLS certification.
De-escalation training.
Good interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
Occasionally lift or carry up to 25 pounds.
Occasionally push or pull up to 75 pounds.
Frequently bend, squat, and kneel; occasionally reach above the shoulders.

Responsibilities

Observe patients and their families, identify unusual behavior or communication problems, and report observations or changes in patient status to the nurse in charge.
Document patient behavior and condition during 1:1, close and frequent observation, Q15 checks, and restraint-related care as required.
Perform regular rounds and provide information about patient behavior and interactions to the RN for use in treatment planning.
Support a safe therapeutic environment, protect patient privacy and confidentiality, and uphold patient rights.
Assist nursing staff with setting limits and restrictions in a considerate and humane manner.
Apply restraints appropriately and follow hospital policies and standards for restraint, seclusion, and 1:1 observation.
Perform 1:1 observation in the Behavioral Health Department, emergency department, or other departments as required; verify the 1:1 assignment with the RN when necessary.
Conduct contraband checks and searches of patient belongings, complete belongings inventories, and communicate pertinent information to the RN and physician.
Complete assigned admission and departmental paperwork, daily attendance and census records, documentation checklists, satisfaction surveys, and post-discharge follow-up calls.
Enter daily patient treatment orders and prepare and close out patient records for staff.
Conduct contraband checks in the Emergency Department before admission and accompany patients to the floor until handoff to a nurse or Mental Health Assistant.
Assist with meals and dining room activities, activities of daily living, bathing, showers, laundry, packing belongings at discharge, and escorting patients when transportation arrives.
Complete errands as requested, including transporting patients and retrieving or delivering supplies, specimens, instruments, and test results.
Work as part of the psychiatric team and contribute to the overall functioning of the department.