Psychiatric Technician - Inpatient Dual Diagnosis

Psychiatric Technician

Work where every moment matters.

Every day, over 40,000 Hartford HealthCare colleagues come to work with one thing in common: Pride in what we do, knowing every moment matters here. We invite you to become part of Connecticut's most comprehensive healthcare network as a Psychiatric Technician.

The Greater Manchester Region has approximately 2,500 employees. It includes Manchester Memorial Hospital, a 249-bed community hospital, Rockville General, a campus of Manchester Memorial Hospital, a 102-bed facility, a large multispecialty provider group and visiting nurse services. The Greater Manchester Region serves a region of 300,000 people in 19 towns.

Position Summary

This position reports to the Clinical Nurse Manager, Intensive Psychiatric Services. Responsible for creating and maintaining a safe, structured and therapeutic milieu, with age-specific behavioral management practices. This position requires some familiarity with psychiatric disorders, the willingness and ability to learn how to facilitate therapeutic groups. Plans, implements and facilitates a variety of skill training and theme-specific groups; role models skills to patients such as communication, negotiation, problem solving and conflict resolution. Functions as a member of the interdisciplinary team in documenting and communicating pertinent information to the treatment team. Assists patients with activities of daily living (ADLs), which may include bathing, feeding and dressing patients.

Competencies

Strong verbal communication skills using the English language is essential.

Must be able to function in an environment where multitasking is necessary.

Must have exceptional interpersonal skills, leadership skills and be able to role model effective coping skills.

Must be capable of taking swift and efficient action, including patient restraint when responding to patient emergency codes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Demonstrates the ability to maintain a safe and therapeutic environment, as evidenced by observation of appropriate interventions as well as patient, peer and supervisor feedback. Performs observation of patients as ordered including safety checks and continuous observation and documents appropriately.

2. Contributes to meeting the fluctuating staffing needs of the department, as evidenced by willingness to adjust scheduled hours and assignments in accordance with needs of the program.

3. Demonstrates clinical perceptiveness, empathy and interpersonal warmth, as evidenced by supervisor and peer observation and feedback on satisfaction surveys.

4. Facilitates skill development by careful planning and implementation of program groups designed to improve the patient's level of functioning, using modalities which are developmentally and clinically appropriate, as evidenced by supervisor observation and feedback.

5. Effectively uses psychological and physical management techniques to manage violent or potentially violent situations consistent with Physical Management Training (PMT), as evidenced by peer and supervisor observation.

6. Participates in Early Response codes and Dr. Strong codes.

7. Completes all documentation of patient groups within established timeframes, as evidenced by chart reviews.

8. Demonstrates the ability to identify areas where additional assistance is needed and takes initiative in helping without being asked, as evidenced by feedback from team members and supervisor observation.

9. Demonstrates a sound understanding of growth and development issues throughout the life cycle, as evidenced by observation of interactions with patients.

10. Collects, reports and assists in documentation of data. Demonstrates ability to accurately obtain and document patient vital signs and other related patient care data in a timely manner. Recognizes and reports to nurse any findings that do not fall within acceptable parameters, as evidenced by supervisor observation and feedback from team members.

11. Provides general aspects of patient care that meet physical and/or psychosocial needs, as evidenced by supervisor observation and feedback from team members.

12. Demonstrates the abilities to effectively set limits with patients and maintain appropriate boundaries, as evidenced by peer and supervisor observation.

13. Assists in admission, transfer and discharge of patients, as evidenced by supervisor observation and feedback from team members.

14. Performs EKGs.

15. Demonstrates ability to communicate to the RN or LPN any observed changes in patient status and responses, as evidenced by supervisor observation and feedback from team members.

Qualifications

A minimum of a high school degree or GED equivalent required, an Associate's degree, preferably in psychology or other human services field is preferred.

Must have certification in Basic Cardiac Life Support upon hire or receive certification within the new employee introductory orientation period and maintain clinical competency during employment.

Must be trained in PMT and de-escalation techniques, and receive certification within 6 months of hire into the role.

Work experience in lieu of a degree will be considered.

Prior experience working with a psychiatric population is preferred.