Psychiatric Technician- Youth Residential Treatment Program

University of Utah Health•Salt Lake City, UT

18h

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 observes and documents patient behavior, supports patient safety, assists with admissions and orientation, escorts patients to appointments and activities, and contributes to therapeutic activities and patient treatment planning. The role works as part of an interdisciplinary treatment team and may support training, quality assurance, and unit operations.

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; must be obtained within 30 days of hire.
Additional license requirements may be 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 possible risk of harm to self or others, and to assist with restraints and seclusion.
Interpersonal skills to build patient 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 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 meet the position’s physical demands with or without accommodation, including intensive work that may exert up to 50 pounds and may consistently involve lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or otherwise moving objects or patients.

Responsibilities

Observe and document patient behavior; help maintain a safe, hazard-free environment by reporting unsafe conditions and providing appropriate emotional and physical support.
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 support the safety of patients, staff, and visitors.
Encourage patients to participate 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 may coordinate with leadership to maintain department forms.
Assist with initiating and contributing to patient treatment planning, teaching, and discharge planning.
Participate in patient care team conferences by sharing observations of patient progress toward goals and assisting the primary Registered Nurse with developing, evaluating, and revising patient care plans.
Recognize and promptly report possible adverse medication reactions to the Registered Nurse.
Assess and report risks that a patient may harm themselves or others, and assist with restraints and seclusion.