PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN - Adult Rehab

Carilion Clinic • Roanoke, VA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Psychiatric Technician supports the safety and care of adults and children with mental illness on an acute psychiatric hospital unit. The role provides direct patient care and assistance with activities of daily living, offers clerical and secretarial support, leads daily goals and wrap-up groups, and participates in code-secure activities. The technician works as part of the unit team, reports relevant observations to licensed nursing staff, and helps maintain a safe, therapeutic milieu.

The technician observes patients and reports unusual circumstances to a licensed nurse; organizes and provides nursing care according to unit standards; and completes admission and discharge processes and documentation in the chart or EMR. New admissions are welcomed, oriented to routines and safety precautions, and made comfortable 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 position advocates for patients and their rights, provides psychological, social, and cultural support, and treats patients with dignity and respect. The technician helps patients and families receive appropriate information and care, leads daily groups, and reports concerns raised by patients to a licensed nurse. The role requires managing potentially aggressive or combative behavior, assisting nursing staff with escalating patients, communicating effectively during escalations, and helping lead code-secure activities with staff and security to protect patients, visitors, and staff.

The technician participates in quality management and performance improvement activities, identifies improvement opportunities, and supports unit-level cost containment. The role includes appropriate charging and economical use of supplies, removing and returning discontinued equipment, identifying and addressing or reporting safety hazards, selecting and checking equipment, and performing clerical duties under licensed nursing staff supervision. The position requires functioning with minimal supervision while recognizing when guidance is needed, and contributing to a safe, orderly, professional environment.

Requirements

• High school graduate or GED required.
• De-escalation training must be successfully completed within four months of hire and maintained thereafter.
• Must be able to obtain AHA BLS-HCP.
• A valid Virginia state driver's license is 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 one's capabilities.
• Ability to learn and participate as a team member.
• Clinical skills to work with children, adolescents, and adults, with understanding of their growth and development.

Responsibilities

• Observe patients and report unusual circumstances to a licensed nurse.
• Organize, prioritize, and provide nursing care in accordance with unit standards.
• Complete admission and discharge processes and documentation in the chart or EMR.
• Welcome and orient new admissions to unit routines and safety precautions, and help them feel comfortable within 15 minutes of arrival.
• Answer call lights and telephones promptly 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.
• Perform delegated patient treatments, including EKGs, blood glucose testing, intake and output, and enemas.
• Advocate for patients and protect their rights while providing psychological, social, and cultural support.
• Treat patients with respect and dignity, protect privacy, and use system resources to address cultural and disability needs.
• Provide patients and families with appropriate information and timely care.
• Organize and lead daily goals and wrap-up groups, and report patient concerns raised during groups to a licensed nurse.
• Assist nursing staff with escalating patients and manage situations involving potential aggressive or combative behavior.
• Lead and direct code-secure activities with staff and security, helping ensure the safety of patients, visitors, and staff.
• Participate in quality management and performance improvement activities and identify improvement opportunities in a timely manner.
• Support cost containment by appropriately charging for supplies, returning cleaned discontinued equipment to storage, and using equipment and supplies cost-effectively.
• Maintain a safe, orderly, and professional environment by identifying and correcting or reporting hazards.
• Select appropriate equipment, check that it is operating properly, and use it according to policies, procedures, and manufacturer recommendations.
• Perform clerical duties under the supervision of licensed nursing staff.
• Actively participate in unit activities and function as a team member.

Benefits

• 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.
• $5,000 sign-on bonus for eligible external hires, subject to applicable guidelines.

What This Job Offers

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