Psychiatric Technician- Youth Residential Treatment Program

University of Utah Health•Salt Lake City, UT

14h

About The Position

The Psychiatric Technician provides a safe, supportive, and therapeutic environment for psychiatric patients and assists with their basic care needs in a youth residential treatment program. The role observes and documents patient behavior, supports admissions and orientation, escorts patients to appointments and activities, and encourages participation in recreational activities and group therapies. The technician contributes to patient treatment planning, teaching, and discharge planning as part of an interdisciplinary treatment team, and supports unit training, quality assurance, and supply maintenance.

Requirements

At least six months of behavioral health or direct patient care experience; experience may include work as a CNA, MA, HCA, teacher’s aide, or assistant.
Obtain a current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system within 30 days of hire.
Meet additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.
Ability to recognize and promptly report possible adverse medication reactions to the Registered Nurse.
Ability to assess potential risk of harm to the patient or others, report it to the Registered Nurse, and assist with restraints and seclusion.
Interpersonal skills to build patients’ trust and respond appropriately in crisis situations.
Ability to use group dynamics principles when co-leading groups.
Knowledge and skills to provide age-appropriate care to patients on the assigned unit.
Knowledge of lifespan growth and development principles and ability to assess patient-status information and provide care according to department policies and procedures.
Demonstrated human-relations and effective communication skills.
Ability to meet the position’s physical requirements, with or without accommodation.

Responsibilities

Help maintain a safe, hazard-free environment by observing and documenting patient behavior, conducting patient room searches, reporting unsafe conditions, and applying appropriate emotional and physical support.
Assist with patient admissions by gathering routine nursing-assessment information, searching patients and personal effects for contraband, and documenting personal effects and other appropriate information.
Orient patients and their families to the facility, policies, and procedures.
Escort patients to off-unit appointments and activities and use therapeutic interventions to support 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 for select patients and use group dynamics to support social, behavioral, and communication skills.
Assist in developing patient behavioral expectations.
May serve as a preceptor for new Psychiatric Technicians.
Assist with unit training and quality assurance programs; order, stock, and maintain clerical and patient supplies.
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 patient treatment planning, teaching, and discharge planning.
Participate in patient care team conferences by sharing observations of patient progress 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.