Psychiatric Technician

Douglas County•Ne, NE

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Psychiatric Technician works under the direction of a Psychiatric Registered Nurse or designee, performing basic nursing care and supporting patients’ needs and comfort in accordance with Douglas County Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) policies and procedures. The role includes supporting patient treatment plans, observing and documenting patient information and behavior, maintaining therapeutic relationships, assisting with personal care and admissions, and helping provide a safe and respectful environment. Work is performed in a secure psychiatric facility. The environment is usually moderately noisy and may at times be loud, with potential exposure to biohazards and risk of injury from assaultive or abusive patients. The work may be stressful due to time constraints, changing priorities, difficult interactions, and emergencies. Assigned shift hours may vary and can include days, shifts, weekends, holidays, overtime or extra hours, and emergency call-ins.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Obtain cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training within six months of hire.
Complete a pre-employment criminal record check, conditional-offer drug screen, and physical assessment.
Equivalent combinations of education and work experience may substitute for requirements on a year-for-year basis.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including extended standing and walking; frequent bending and reaching; occasional sitting, kneeling, climbing, stooping, crouching, and balancing; frequently lifting or carrying up to 50 pounds; pushing 35 pounds; occasionally pulling a 75-pound load over seven feet; and exerting 65 pounds of grip strength while quickly changing position from kneeling to standing.
Required sensory abilities include vision, hearing, and touch. Correctable vision must include close, distance, peripheral, and color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Ability to use the hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity needed to operate computers and other equipment.

Responsibilities

Perform clinical activities based on patient treatment plans.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, supervisors, County employees, elected officials, attorneys, law enforcement, judges, other agencies, and the public.
Follow Civil Service policies and regulations, collective bargaining agreements, County and department policies, and laws to support a cooperative, safe, respectful, and quality work environment.
Attend shift report meetings to exchange information and provide continuity of care.
Obtain, document, and chart patients’ vital signs and other data, including height, weight, and BMI.
Observe psychosocial interactions and report changes or abnormal behavior to a supervisor.
Perform housekeeping activities.
Engage individuals empathetically and acceptingly to develop therapeutic relationships.
Deescalate situations with patients.
Participate in patient activities, including goal setting and review, one-to-one interactions, groups, and therapeutic or recreational activities.
Supervise patients’ personal care routines, provide assistance, and obtain specimens.
Monitor patient nutrition and record caloric intake and output.
Follow department procedures and protocols, including hand washing, isolation procedures, universal precautions, and safe handling of chemicals and biohazards.
Participate in patient admissions by completing paperwork, obtaining a photo, documenting and storing belongings, and orienting patients and families.
Monitor the closed-circuit television (CCT) panel.
Assist with transferring patients using proper body mechanics and transfer techniques.
Maintain a professional attitude and treat patients with empathy and respect.
Safely operate a motor vehicle when required for County business.
Maintain regular, consistent attendance.
Perform other duties as directed and assigned.