Psychiatric Technician Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• At least six months of behavioral health or direct patient care experience; qualifying 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 any additional license requirements determined by the hiring department.
• Ability to recognize adverse medication reactions and report them promptly to the Registered Nurse.
• Ability to assess potential patient risk of harm to self 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 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 data and provide care according to department policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated human-relations and effective communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Observe and document patient behavior; help maintain a safe, hazard-free environment by reporting unsafe conditions and providing appropriate emotional and physical support.
• Assist with patient admissions by gathering routine information for nursing assessment, searching patients and belongings 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, using therapeutic interventions to protect 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 for selected 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; order, stock, and maintain clerical and patient supplies; and provide an annual educational in-service to coworkers.
• Work 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 and report risks that patients may harm themselves or others, and assist with restraints and seclusion.

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Healthcare benefits starting on day one
• 401(k) retirement plan
• A work environment that values dedication, learning, and work-life balance