Psychiatric Technician

Parkland Health

About The Position

Provides assistance and monitors patient activities and procedures under the direction of a registered nurse, helping ensure a safe and secure environment for patients and employees. The role provides direct patient care, monitors patients’ physical and emotional status, responds to changes in condition, and supports patient services while maintaining patient rights, confidentiality, and patient-centered care. The Psychiatric Technician works directly with charge nurses and registered nurses, performs security and safety activities, and documents patient behavior and care. The role also supports department quality, compliance, and process-improvement goals.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
One year of experience in a healthcare setting, or one year as a psychiatric technician, or one year as a residential treatment/group home worker, or nursing-student experience after completing basic fundamentals of nursing, or successful completion of Parkland’s job-specific training program.
Must obtain a Heartsaver CPR course completion card from the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or Military Training Network within 90 days of hire and/or placement in the job.
Must obtain Satori Alternatives for Managing Aggression (SAMA) certification, levels 1–4, within 60 days of hire and before the first clinical orientation shift.
Ability to demonstrate basic patient care skills, clerical/administrative duties, and use of supplies and assigned equipment.
May be required to handle aggressive patients using Client Management methods.
Ability to perform some heavy lifting and moving.
Ability to communicate effectively with departmental personnel, other hospital personnel, physicians, patients, and families.
Ability to demonstrate patient-centered/patient-valued behavior.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree in a healthcare-related field.
Bachelor’s degree in a healthcare-related field.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience may substitute for both education and experience requirements.

Responsibilities

Provide a safe environment by collecting firearms, scanning patients, securing sharp items, and physically restraining uncooperative patients when appropriate.
Monitor and assess patients’ physical and emotional status, applying Client Management procedures, including restraint or seclusion when appropriate.
Provide direct patient care, including recording vital signs, performing phlebotomy tasks, monitoring dietary intake, and monitoring and recording sleep behaviors.
Monitor patients’ status and notify and assist nurses and other health team members when a patient’s condition changes.
Collect, store, document, and secure patient valuables and non-valuables.
Interview, counsel, and advise patients about their rights, while establishing and maintaining rapport.
Clean patients, their possessions, and patient areas according to cleanliness standards.
Transport patients to and from testing locations and transport medicines and other items to support patient services.
Monitor and document the behavior and care of patients in seclusion, restraint, or on 1:1 observation.
Advocate for patients by responding to needs and special requests, maintaining open communication, and honoring patient rights and confidentiality.
Protect patient information and follow policies and procedures for communicating it.
Conduct security rounds, inspect patient rooms for contraband, and perform quality management audits as requested.
Maintain positive working relationships with management, employees, outside agencies, and other hospitals.
Work directly with the charge nurse and registered nurses to carry out special orders and assist with patient needs.
Perform other duties assigned by the manager or manager’s designee.
Identify opportunities to improve work processes and customer satisfaction; make recommendations, implement improvements, and monitor results as appropriate.
Stay current with developments and trends in the field and integrate acquired knowledge into work practices.
Maintain knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, policies, laws, and guidelines; support effective internal controls and seek guidance as needed.