Psychiatric Technician

University of Utah Health•Salt Lake City, UT

10d

About The Position

This position provides a safe, supportive, and therapeutic environment for psychiatric patients and assists with basic patient care. The Psychiatric Technician observes and documents patient behavior, supports admissions and patient orientation, escorts patients to appointments and activities, and encourages participation in recreational activities and group therapies. The role also contributes to treatment planning, patient care conferences, training, quality assurance, and maintaining unit supplies and forms. University of Utah Health is a patient-focused organization dedicated to enhancing health and well-being through patient care, research, and education. Its five hospitals and eleven clinics provide comprehensive services, medical advancement, and patient care. The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is nationally recognized for academic research, quality standards, and patient experience.

Requirements

Six months of behavioral health or direct patient care experience; qualifying experience may include CNA, MA, HCA, teacher’s aide, or assistant.
Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system, to 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 risk that a patient may harm themselves or others, report this information to the Registered Nurse, and assist with restraints and seclusion.
Interpersonal skills to gain patients’ trust and respond appropriately in crisis situations.
Ability to use group dynamics principles while co-leading groups to develop members’ social, behavioral, and communication skills.
Knowledge and skills to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served on the assigned unit.
Knowledge of lifespan 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.

Responsibilities

Maintain a safe, hazard-free environment by observing and documenting patient behavior, searching patient rooms, reporting unsafe conditions, and providing appropriate emotional and physical support.
Assist with patient admissions by gathering routine information for nursing assessment, searching patients and personal effects for contraband, and documenting personal effects and other relevant information.
Orient patients and their families to the facility, policies, and procedures.
Escort patients to off-unit appointments and activities, using therapeutic interventions to ensure the safety of patients, staff, and visitors.
Encourage patients to participate in recreational activities and group therapies to support a therapeutic milieu.
Lead activity and conversation groups to provide supportive therapy for select patients.
Assist in developing patient behavioral expectations.
May serve as a preceptor to new Psychiatric Technicians.
Assist with unit training and quality assurance programs, order and maintain clerical and patient supplies, and 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 initiating and contributing to patient treatment planning, teaching, and discharge planning.
Participate in patient care team conferences by sharing observations of 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 potential risks that patients may harm themselves or others, report concerns to the Registered Nurse, and assist with restraints and seclusion.