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 works as part of an interdisciplinary treatment team, supporting patient treatment planning, education, and discharge planning while helping maintain a safe and therapeutic unit environment. The role requires observing and documenting patient behavior, supporting patients during admissions and unit activities, and responding appropriately to potential safety risks and crisis situations. The position may also include precepting new Psychiatric Technicians, supporting unit training and quality assurance, and maintaining clerical and patient supplies.

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; must be obtained within 30 days of hire.
Additional license requirements 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 risks that a patient may harm themselves or others, and ability to assist with restraints and seclusion.
Interpersonal skills to build patient trust and respond appropriately in crisis situations.
Ability to use 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 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 stated physical demands with or without accommodation, including intensive work that may exert up to 50 pounds and may consistently involve moving equipment or patients.

Responsibilities

Observe and document patient behavior; conduct patient room searches; report unsafe conditions; and provide appropriate emotional and physical support to help maintain a safe environment.
Assist with patient admissions by gathering routine information for nursing assessment, searching patients and personal effects for contraband, and documenting personal effects and other appropriate 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 the safety of patients, hospital staff, and visitors.
Encourage patients to participate in recreational activities and group therapies to support a therapeutic milieu.
Lead activity and conversation groups for selected 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.
Function 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 patient 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 risks that a patient may harm themselves or others, and assist with restraints and seclusion.