Intermediate Services Float Psychiatric Technician

University of Utah Health•Salt Lake City, UT

28d

About The Position

This position provides a safe, supportive, and therapeutic environment for psychiatric patients and assists with basic patient care. The role supports University of Utah Health’s Youth Intermediate Services programs, including Residential, Day Treatment, and Intensive Outpatient programs, by providing coverage and additional staffing as needed. When not needed in intermediate services, the technician may be assigned to HMHI inpatient units. The position requires flexibility and the ability to adapt to different settings and patient populations while working as a valued member of each program’s team. The position is full time, with 40 scheduled hours. Shifts are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with occasional shifts from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for Residential Treatment or inpatient assignments. The employee must be able to perform the listed physical demands with or without accommodation. Work may involve intensive physical activity and moving equipment or patients, as well as possible exposure to infectious diseases.

Requirements

At least six months of behavioral health or direct patient care experience; qualifying 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; it must be obtained within 30 days of hire.
Additional license requirements may be determined by the hiring department.
Ability to recognize adverse medication reactions and report them promptly to a Registered Nurse.
Ability to assess and report when a patient may harm themselves or others, and ability to assist with restraints and seclusion.
Interpersonal skills to gain patients’ trust and respond appropriately in crisis situations.
Ability to apply group dynamics principles when co-leading groups.
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 adapt to changes in work setting and patient population and meet the stated schedule and location requirements.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the position with or without accommodation, including moving objects or patients weighing up to 50 pounds.

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 appropriate 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 patient participation in recreational activities and group therapies to support a therapeutic milieu.
Lead activity and conversation groups for selected patients as part of supportive therapy.
Assist in developing patient behavioral expectations.
May serve as a preceptor for new Psychiatric Technicians.
Assist with unit training and quality assurance programs and with ordering, stocking, and maintaining clerical and patient supplies.
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 about patient 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 potential risk of harm to the patient or others, and assist with restraints and seclusion as needed.
Use group dynamics principles when co-leading groups to foster patients’ social, behavioral, and communication skills.