Psychiatric Technician, PRN

University of Utah Health•Salt Lake City, UT

11d

About The Position

University of Utah Health seeks a Psychiatric Technician to provide a safe, supportive, and therapeutic environment for psychiatric patients and assist with basic patient care. This PRN (as needed) position has a variable schedule and does not provide benefits. The role involves working as part of an interdisciplinary treatment team and supporting patient care, treatment planning, education, and discharge planning.

Requirements

At least six months of behavioral health or direct patient care experience; experience may include CNA, MA, HCA, teacher’s aide, or assistant work.
Obtain a current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system within 30 days of hire.
Meet any additional license requirements determined by the hiring department.
Ability to recognize possible adverse medication reactions and promptly report them to the Registered Nurse.
Ability to assess potential risk of harm to self or others, report concerns to the Registered Nurse, and assist with restraints and seclusion.
Interpersonal skills to build patient trust and respond appropriately in crisis situations.
Ability to apply 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 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 meet the physical demands of the position with or without accommodation, including intensive work that may exert up to 100 pounds and may consistently involve lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or otherwise moving 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 belongings for contraband, and documenting personal effects and other relevant information.
Orient patients and their families to the facility, policies, and procedures.
Escort patients to off-unit appointments and activities, using therapeutic interventions to maintain safety.
Encourage participation in recreational activities and group therapies to support a therapeutic milieu.
Lead activity and conversation groups for selected patients.
Assist in developing patient behavioral contracts.
May precept new Psychiatric Technicians and assist level staff.
Assist with unit training and quality assurance programs and provide an annual educational in-service to coworkers.
Participate as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team.
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.