Psychiatric Tech, Part Time, Nights

Stamford Health•Stamford, CT

About The Position

The Psychiatric Technician provides a safe, supportive, and therapeutic environment for psychiatric patients and assists with basic patient care. In cooperation with other health team members, the technician helps implement care plans designed to meet patients’ therapeutic goals. The role serves adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations and includes some physical labor, such as assisting with bathing and activities of daily living, stocking supplies, handling patient belongings, and assisting during acute situations, including physical holds or restraints. This is a part-time night role requiring two shifts per week from 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m., including weekends. The technician also completes assigned training and education, follows organizational and departmental policies and external agency requirements, and performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Associate degree in a related field or at least one year of work experience in a related job.
Ability to extract and interpret information and/or perform arithmetic functions.
BLS certification upon hire.
CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) certification within six months of hire.
Ability to use electronic documentation.
Basic medical terminology.
Ability to perform manual tasks involving motor coordination and finger dexterity, such as typing or machine operation.
Ability to stand for prolonged periods and transport materials, equipment, or patients, and to lift, move, or carry items weighing over 30 pounds intermittently throughout the day.
Ability to work in environments that may involve dirt, odors, noise, human waste, body fluids, uneven or slippery surfaces, aggressive patients, cuts, needle punctures, burns, toxic chemicals, falls, or back injury risks.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
At least one year of experience in healthcare and psychiatry or behavioral health.

Responsibilities

Help maintain a safe, hazard-free environment and report unsafe conditions or concerns to nursing personnel.
Respond promptly, efficiently, and calmly to crises and emergencies and take appropriate action.
Maintain therapeutic boundaries and develop supportive rapport with patients and their families or loved ones.
Perform patient and environmental rounds and promptly report clinical or customer-service issues to supervising staff.
Observe and document patient behaviors.
Collaborate with nursing and peers to meet patients’ basic care needs and assist with activities of daily living.
Assist nursing with patient admissions and safe transitions.
Assist nursing with safe patient discharges.
Help formulate behavioral care plans and ensure they are followed.
Assist the Activities Therapist and Charge Nurse in coordinating group therapy and take the lead in facilitating groups.
Monitor acute patients in settings and situations that may include the private wing, emergency-department psychiatric holds, 1:1 observation, CO, restraints, phlebotomy, vital signs, and redirection, while using therapeutic communication and maintaining appropriate boundaries.
Follow policies and model safe practices for peers.
Participate in monthly technician councils, staff meetings, and practice-development initiatives.
Promote and facilitate unit-based strategic action plans and goals.
Maintain professional communication, including checking email during shifts, attending staff meetings, safety huddles, and IDT, and seeking clarification when needed.
Complete required continuing training and education, including department-specific requirements.
Follow service standards, success factors, departmental and organizational policies, and external agency requirements.
Perform other related duties as assigned or requested to maintain a high level of service.