Psychiatric Technician

About This Role

This role involves providing direct medical and mental health care to patients with diverse psychiatric, medical, and substance abuse disorders under the supervision of a licensed professional. The psychiatric technician works as part of a multi-disciplinary nursing team to maintain a therapeutic and rehabilitative environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide therapeutic psychiatric interventions as outlined by the treatment plan
• Participate in group activities with patients that contribute to their emotional, intellectual, and developmental growth
• Assist with milieu management and use crisis de-escalation strategies to reduce destructive and disruptive patient behavior and ensure safety
• Recognize early warning signs of worsening patient behaviors and intervene appropriately
• Conduct patient observation rounds with appropriate documentation and one-to-one observation
• Observe patient condition for signs/symptoms consistent with illness or mental status change; report observations to the nurse
• Provide physical care to patients as delegated/instructed by RN, including bathing, dressing, and assisting with daily personal hygiene and other daily living activities, such as feeding and ambulation
• Take, record, and report patient vital signs, including blood pressure, temperature, respiration, and/or pulse
• Obtain height and weight measurements as requested
• Obtain specimens for laboratory examination, which may include blood draws, and deliver specimens to clinical laboratories
• Assess the environmental needs of the unit and recommend and/or initiate appropriate action in coordination with professional staff
• Complete environmental/safety rounds at the beginning of each shift
• Assist in admitting, transferring, and discharging patients by orienting patients to the unit, assisting with transport of patient and belongings to and from admitting, discharge, and other areas of the hospital as necessary
• Document patient data in support of treatment and documentation requirements
• Accompany patients to diagnostic testing areas as directed and remain with the patient
• Participate in mandatory hospital/department in-service education, de-escalation training, and staff meetings
• Maintain strict patient medical record confidentiality in accordance with hospital/unit policy and federal Healthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations
• Demonstrate support and compliance with UMMC mission, vision, values, philosophy, goals, and objectives

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent (GED) required
• GNA or CNA certification (required for employees hired after 7/1/20)
• CPR certification required
• Experience working with direct patient care or in a psychiatric facility preferred
• Demonstrates knowledge of universal blood and body fluids precautions and aseptic technique
• Knowledge of basic patient care skills, such as bathing, taking and recording vital signs, feeding, and weighing patients
• Demonstrates sensitivity and awareness to the needs of patients, visitors, and co-workers and responds promptly to verbal and/or written instructions
• Highly effective verbal communication and interpersonal skills to work with patients, visitors, and other healthcare team members
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient populations(s) served relative to his or her age-specific needs

Patient Safety

• Ensure patient safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department, or unit patient safety initiatives
• Take action to correct observed risks to patient safety
• Report adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority
• Identify possible risks in processes, procedures, devices, and communicate the same to those in charge