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. The Psychiatric Technician observes and documents patient behavior, supports patient admissions and orientation, escorts patients to appointments and activities, and contributes to therapeutic activities and treatment planning. The role is part of an interdisciplinary treatment team and may also support unit training, quality assurance, and supply needs.

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, to be obtained within 30 days of hire.
Additional licenses as determined by the hiring department.
Ability to recognize adverse medication reactions and report them promptly to the Registered Nurse.
Ability to assess and report potential risk of harm to the patient or others, and assist with restraints and seclusion.
Interpersonal skills to build patients’ 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 in accordance with department policies and procedures.
Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills.
Ability to meet the position’s physical requirements with or without accommodation, including intensive work involving up to 50 pounds and potentially moving medical equipment or patients.

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 assessments, searching patients and their belongings for contraband, and documenting personal effects and other relevant information.
Orient patients and families to the facility, its policies, and its procedures.
Escort patients to off-unit appointments and activities, using therapeutic interventions to support the safety of patients, staff, and visitors.
Encourage participation in recreational activities and group therapies to support a therapeutic milieu.
Lead activity and conversation groups for select patients as part of 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 patient treatment planning, teaching, and discharge planning.
Participate in patient care team conferences by sharing observations about progress toward goals and assisting 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.