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 needs. The Psychiatric Technician supports patient safety, admissions, therapeutic activities, treatment planning, and discharge planning as part of an interdisciplinary treatment team. The role also contributes to unit training, quality assurance, and maintenance of supplies and department forms.

Requirements

At least six months of behavioral health or direct patient care experience; qualifying 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.
Interpersonal skills to build patient trust and respond appropriately in crisis situations.
Ability to apply group dynamics principles when co-leading groups to develop social, behavioral, and communication skills.
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 in accordance with department policies and procedures.
Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills.
Ability to meet the physical requirements of the position, 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.
Ability to work in a setting where exposure to infectious diseases may occur.

Responsibilities

Maintain a safe, hazard-free environment by observing and documenting patient behavior, conducting patient room searches, reporting unsafe conditions, and applying appropriate emotional and physical support.
Assist with patient admissions by gathering routine information for nursing assessment, searching patients and their personal effects for contraband, and documenting personal effects and other relevant information.
Orient patients and their families to the facility and its policies and procedures.
Escort patients to off-unit appointments and activities, using therapeutic interventions to ensure safety.
Encourage patients to participate in recreational activities and group therapies to support a therapeutic milieu.
Lead activity and conversation groups for selected patients as supportive therapy.
Assist in developing patient behavioral expectations.
May serve as a preceptor to new Psychiatric Technicians.
Assist with unit training and quality assurance programs, and order, stock, and maintain 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 identified goals.
Assist the primary Registered Nurse with developing, evaluating, and revising patient care plans.
Recognize possible adverse medication reactions and report them promptly to the Registered Nurse.
Assess and report when a patient may harm themselves or others, and assist with restraints and seclusion.