Psychiatric Technician, Behavioral Health, Part-Time, Rotating-shift

University of Maryland Medical System•Largo, MD

32d•$18 - $31

About The Position

The Psychiatric Technician performs initial intake interviews with patients and families and assists with evaluating and assessing patients’ conditions and psychological functioning. The technician observes and interacts with patients to identify symptoms and behavioral changes and supports the therapy process. Care is provided under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, with responsibilities that include supporting patients’ daily needs, maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment, participating in treatment and activity programming, and assisting with admissions, transfers, and discharges. The position also requires accurate documentation, appropriate responses to emergencies, and reporting safety or equipment concerns. The role emphasizes courteous, confidential, and professional service to patients, families, colleagues, and other customers. The technician is expected to follow communication, workplace conduct, safety, infection-control, education, and confidentiality standards established by UMCAP and the department.

Requirements

Required Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification.
Required Basic Life Support – Health Care Provider (BLS-HCP).
One year of full-time experience as a technician in a mental health setting.
Basic knowledge of and working experience with medical terminology.
Complete mandatory annual education and competency requirements and follow UMCAP and departmental policies and procedures.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

Responsibilities

Provide care based on the patient’s plan of care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.
Assist patients with cleanliness, grooming, rest, nourishment, and elimination as needed, while encouraging independence when appropriate.
Report patient observations and other pertinent information to the Registered Nurse.
Help maintain a safe, therapeutic environment that respects patients’ rights; monitor for risks including falls, elopement, and suicide attempts, and report observations to the responsible nurse.
Inspect the unit for contraband and remain alert to contraband and elopement risks.
Participate in and, when appropriate, conduct therapeutic milieu activities under Registered Nurse supervision.
Encourage patients to participate in scheduled activities, including community meetings and groups, and assist with activity therapy under adjunctive therapists’ supervision.
Attend individual treatment planning for assigned patients when requested.
Assist with admission, transfer, and discharge procedures and accompany patients to off-unit or off-site activities, field trips, and diagnostic tests.
Observe patient behavior and notify appropriate staff when necessary; intervene with critical patients during escalation, suicidal behavior, or elopement, and monitor patients on close observation or suicide precautions.
Assist with restraining procedures under the direct supervision of the Registered Nurse.
Document completely and accurately according to unit and division standards, including safety measures.
Remain calm and effective in emergencies and follow applicable guidelines.
Report broken or unsafe equipment to appropriate personnel or the Department Director.
Provide courteous, respectful, and professional customer service; respond promptly to questions and concerns and attempt immediate resolution.
Protect customer information and confidentiality, including in public areas.
Offer assistance to customers and colleagues, facilitate hand-offs, and support service recovery when expectations are not met.
Take responsibility for assignments and problem-solving, respect deadlines and colleagues’ schedules, and communicate status information to support continuity of workflow.
Use respectful, professional communication and follow facility communication protocols, including telephone, voicemail, and email practices.
Comply with grooming, dress-code, identification-badge, safety, infection-control, employee-health, education, competency, confidentiality, attendance, and conduct requirements.