Psychiatric Technician

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. The Psychiatric Technician works as part of an interdisciplinary treatment team, contributes to patient treatment planning and care conferences, and helps patients and families understand the facility and its procedures. The role also supports unit training, quality assurance, and supply needs. Employees must be able to meet the physical demands of the role with or without an accommodation; the work may involve moving patients or equipment and exposure to infectious diseases.

Requirements

At least six months of behavioral health or direct patient care experience; experience may include work as a CNA, MA, HCA, teacher’s aide, or assistant.
Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system, to be obtained within 30 days of hire.
Additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.
Ability to recognize possible adverse medication reactions and report them promptly to the Registered Nurse.
Ability to assess and report potential harm to the patient or others, and assist with restraints and seclusion.
Interpersonal skills to build patient trust and respond appropriately in crisis situations.
Ability to apply 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 life-span growth and development principles and ability to assess patient-status data and provide care according to department policies and procedures.
Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills.
Ability to perform the listed physical activities and meet the position’s physical demands, with or without an accommodation.

Responsibilities

Observe and document patient behavior; conduct patient room searches; report unsafe conditions; and provide appropriate emotional and physical support to help maintain a safe environment.
Assist with patient admissions by gathering routine information for nursing assessment, searching patients and personal effects for contraband, and documenting personal effects and other relevant information.
Orient patients and their families to the facility, policies, and procedures.
Escort patients to off-unit appointments and activities, using therapeutic interventions to promote safety for patients, staff, and visitors.
Encourage participation in recreational activities and group therapies to support a therapeutic milieu.
Lead activity and conversation groups to provide supportive therapy for select patients.
Assist in developing patient behavioral expectations.
May serve as a preceptor to new Psychiatric Technicians.
Assist with unit training and quality assurance programs; order, stock, and maintain clerical and patient supplies; and provide an annual educational in-service to coworkers.
Participate as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team and coordinate with leadership to maintain department forms as needed.
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.
Recognize possible adverse medication reactions and promptly report them to the Registered Nurse.
Assess and report when a patient may harm themselves or others, and assist with restraints and seclusion.