PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN - Adult Rehab

Carilion Clinic•Roanoke, VA

19h•$17 - $24•Onsite

About The Position

The Psychiatric Technician supports the safety and care of adults and children with mental illness on an acute psychiatric hospital unit. The role delivers patient care, assists with activities of daily living, provides clerical support, leads daily goals and wrap-up groups, and directs code-secure activities. The technician participates in unit activities, reports observations to licensed nursing staff, and helps maintain a safe therapeutic environment. Responsibilities include observing patients and reporting unusual circumstances; organizing and providing nursing care according to unit standards; completing admission and discharge processes and documentation; orienting new admissions to unit routines and safety precautions; responding promptly to call lights and telephones; conducting patient safety rounds; supporting patients’ nutritional needs and personal care; and providing delegated treatments such as EKGs, blood glucose testing, intake and output tracking, and enemas. The technician advocates for patients’ rights and provides psychological, social, and cultural support while treating patients with respect and dignity. They provide information to patients and families, lead groups, and report concerns raised during those groups to a licensed nurse. The role also requires responding to escalating or crisis situations, including assisting nursing staff with patients who may be aggressive or combative and coordinating code-secure activities with staff and security. Additional duties include participating in quality and performance-improvement activities, supporting cost containment, charging for supplies used, maintaining and returning equipment appropriately, performing supervised clerical duties, and helping maintain a safe, orderly, and professional environment. The technician identifies hazards and uses equipment according to policy, procedure, and manufacturer recommendations. A $5,000 sign-on bonus is available to eligible external hires under applicable guidelines. The schedule is three 12-hour day shifts.

Requirements

High school graduate or GED.
Successfully complete de-escalation training within four months of hire and maintain it thereafter.
Must be able to obtain AHA BLS-HCP.
Valid Virginia state driver's license required in the NRV to transport patients.
Experience with, or ability to manage, patients with explosive potential and escalating situations.
Ability to function with minimal supervision and recognize when direction or assistance is needed beyond the role’s capabilities.
Ability to learn and participate as a team member.
Clinical skills to work with child, adolescent, and adult populations, with an understanding of their growth and development.

Responsibilities

Observe patients and report unusual circumstances to a licensed nurse.
Organize, prioritize, and provide nursing care in accordance with unit standards.
Complete admission and discharge processes and documentation in the chart or EMR.
Greet admissions, make them comfortable, and orient them to unit routines and safety precautions within 15 minutes of arrival.
Answer call lights and telephones promptly and meet basic patient needs.
Conduct patient safety rounds every 15 minutes or according to unit policy.
Assist patients with activities of daily living and nutritional needs.
Provide delegated patient treatments, including EKGs, blood glucose testing, intake and output tracking, and enemas.
Advocate for patients’ rights and provide psychological, social, and cultural support while maintaining patient dignity and privacy.
Provide patients and families with appropriate information and care in a timely manner.
Organize and lead daily goals and wrap-up groups, and report patient issues or concerns to a licensed nurse.
Assist nursing staff with escalating patients and help ensure safety during crisis situations.
Lead and direct code-secure activities with staff and security.
Participate in quality management and performance-improvement activities and identify opportunities for improvement.
Participate in cost-containment measures at the unit level.
Ensure supplies are charged at the time of use and equipment is cleaned, stored, and used appropriately.
Perform clerical duties under the supervision of licensed nursing staff.
Maintain a safe, orderly, and professional environment; identify and report or correct safety hazards.