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, contributing observations and assisting with patient treatment planning, teaching, and discharge planning. The role may include precepting new Psychiatric Technicians, supporting unit training and quality assurance, and helping maintain department forms and supplies.

Requirements

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 experience.
Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system; must be obtained within 30 days of hire.
Additional license requirements may be determined by the hiring department.
Ability to recognize possible adverse medication reactions and report them promptly to the Registered Nurse.
Ability to assess risk that a patient may harm themselves or others, report concerns to the Registered Nurse, and assist with restraints and seclusion.
Interpersonal skills to earn patients’ trust and respond appropriately in crisis situations.
Ability to apply group dynamics principles when co-leading groups to develop 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 information and provide care according to departmental policies and procedures.
Demonstrated human-relations and effective communication skills.
Ability to perform the position’s physical demands, with or without accommodation, including intensive work that may exert up to 50 pounds and regularly 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 help 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 help 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 for select patients as part of supportive therapy.
Assist in developing patient behavioral expectations.
May precept new Psychiatric Technicians.
Assist with unit training and quality assurance programs, and order, stock, and maintain clerical and patient supplies.
Provide an annual educational in-service to co-workers.
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 identified goals.
Assist 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 whether a patient may harm themselves or others, report concerns to the Registered Nurse, and assist with restraints and seclusion as needed.