Psychiatric Technician, Advanced

University of Utah Health•South Salt Lake, 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, supports patient treatment and discharge planning, and contributes to unit training, quality assurance, and supply maintenance. The role requires providing age-appropriate care and responding appropriately to patient safety concerns and crises.

Requirements

An associate degree, or two years of behavioral health or direct patient care experience; qualifying experience may include CNA, MA, HCA, teacher’s aide, or assistant work.
Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system, to be obtained within 30 days of hire.
Additional licenses as determined by the hiring department.
Ability to recognize and promptly report possible adverse medication reactions to the Registered Nurse.
Ability to assess potential risks of a patient harming themselves or others, report concerns to the Registered Nurse, and assist with restraints and seclusion.
Interpersonal skills to build patient trust and respond appropriately in crisis situations.
Ability to apply group dynamics principles when co-leading groups to support members’ social, behavioral, and communication skills.
Knowledge and skills to provide care appropriate to the ages of patients served on the assigned unit.
Knowledge of lifespan growth and development principles and ability to assess patient-status data and provide care according to department policies and procedures.
Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, 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 maintain a safe environment.
Assist with patient admissions by gathering routine information for nursing assessment, searching patients and their 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 support the safety of patients, staff, and visitors.
Encourage patient participation in recreational activities and group therapies to support a therapeutic milieu.
Lead activity and conversation groups to provide supportive therapy for selected 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, stock, and maintain clerical and patient supplies; and provide an annual educational in-service to coworkers.
Participate 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 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 promptly report them to the Registered Nurse.
Assess whether a patient may harm themselves or others, report concerns to the Registered Nurse, and assist with restraints and seclusion.