Psychiatric Technician - New River Valley Medical Center

Carilion Clinic • Christiansburg, VA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Psychiatric Technician is a member of the multidisciplinary team and helps ensure the safety of adults and children with mental illness in an acute psychiatric hospital unit. The role delivers patient care, assists with activities of daily living and nutritional needs, provides clerical and secretarial support, leads daily goals and wrap-up groups, and assists with or directs code-secure activities. The technician participates in unit activities, reports observations to licensed nursing staff, and helps maintain a safe therapeutic milieu.

The role includes observing patients and reporting unusual circumstances, organizing and providing nursing care in accordance with unit standards, and completing admission and discharge processes and documentation in the chart or EMR. New admissions are greeted, made comfortable, and oriented to unit routines and safety precautions within 15 minutes of arrival. The technician responds promptly to call lights and telephones, conducts patient safety rounds every 15 minutes or as required by policy, assists with daily living and nutritional needs, and performs delegated treatments such as EKGs, blood glucose testing, intake and output, and enemas.

The Psychiatric Technician advocates for patients, protects their rights, provides psychological, social, and cultural support, and treats patients with respect and dignity. The position requires managing patients who may become aggressive or combative, supporting nursing staff with escalating patients, and working effectively in crisis situations to protect patients, visitors, and staff. The technician works with minimal supervision while recognizing when direction or assistance is needed, and reports patient concerns raised verbally or in groups to a licensed nurse.

Additional duties include participating in quality management and performance improvement activities, identifying opportunities for improvement, and supporting cost containment. The technician appropriately charges for supplies, removes and returns discontinued equipment, uses equipment and supplies according to policy and manufacturer recommendations, identifies and reports or corrects safety hazards, maintains a safe and professional environment, and performs clerical duties under the supervision of licensed nursing staff. Job-related tasks beyond those listed may also be assigned.

Requirements

• High school graduate or GED.
• Successfully complete de-escalation training within four months of hire and maintain that training going forward.
• Must be able to obtain AHA BLS-HCP certification.
• 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 employee's scope of capabilities.
• Ability to learn and participate as a team member.
• Clinical skills to work with children, adolescents, and adults, 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 according to unit standards.
• Complete admission and discharge processes and documentation in the chart or EMR.
• Greet and orient new admissions to unit routines and safety precautions within 15 minutes of arrival.
• Respond promptly to call lights and telephones 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 treatments, including EKGs, blood glucose testing, intake and output, and enemas.
• Advocate for patients, protect their rights, and provide psychological, social, and cultural support while treating them with dignity and respect.
• Organize and lead daily goals and wrap-up groups, and report patient concerns expressed in groups to licensed nursing staff.
• Assist nursing staff with escalating patients and lead or direct code-secure activities with staff and security.
• Maintain safety and well-being during crisis situations involving patients, visitors, and staff.
• Participate in quality management and performance improvement activities and identify improvement opportunities.
• Support cost containment, charge supplies appropriately, and use equipment and supplies safely and cost-effectively.
• Remove, clean, and return discontinued equipment to its proper storage area.
• Maintain a safe, orderly, and professional environment; identify and correct safety hazards or report them to the appropriate resource.
• Select appropriate equipment, ensure it is operating properly, and use it according to policies, procedures, and manufacturer recommendations.
• Perform clerical duties under the supervision of licensed nursing staff.

Benefits

• $5,000 sign-on bonus for eligible external hires, subject to applicable guidelines.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Employer-funded pension plan, vested after five years.
• Voluntary 403B plan.
• Paid time off accrued from day one.
• Onsite fitness studios and discounts to Carilion Wellness centers.
• Access to the Personify Health health and wellness app.
• Childcare discounts.
• Continued education and training.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED