Psych Tech

Simplifi Clinical Interview

General Information:

• 915 Mountain View Rd, Rapid City, SD 57702 – 15 minutes away from Main Hospital
• Beds: 52
• Minimum Experience: 1 year
• Will you accept a first-time traveler? Yes, only if greater than 2 years of experience
• Travelers must live 100 miles away from any Monument Health facility
• Permanent staff must wait 1 full year to return as a traveler

Patient Types:

• Psychiatric - Child/adolescents ages 5-17 & Adults
• No dementia, severe autistic or forensic patients, no inmates
• Diagnoses include, but are not limited to: Depression, Anxiety, Schizophrenia, Psychosis, Adjustment Disorder
• Facility does occasionally have violent/aggressive patients
• No ECT

Patient Ratios:

• Psych Tech: 1:10

Required Certifications:

• Psych Tech: BLS and CPI – required to have CPI prior to start due to minimal orientation provided

Required Education:

• Psych Tech: High School Diploma-Will receive BLS & CPI if not obtained prior to orientation

Skills required:

• Psych Tech: EPIC documentation experience, Glucometer use, Seclusion & restraint experience, able to multitask and complete Q15 minute rounds on all patients – this is very important for patient safety, Ability to help with ADL's, comfortable changing patients out of clothes into our scrubs and checking for contraband, room searches, and use of a Garrett wand. Comfortable to watch a patient use the restroom & shower for special observation patients. Separate and log all patient belongings. Safety focused. Able to set boundaries and follow unit rules. Able to lead a group of 10 patients in a discussion and or an activity independently. Able to do laundry. Restock supplies and refrigerators, Take & record vital signs. Strong communication skills.

Support on the Unit:

• Security 24/7 (with tasers)
• Panic alarms for all caregivers (worn by staff while on shift)
• Cameras in hallways, nurses station, common areas and medroom
• MD availability (on call 24/7)
• BERT – Behavioral Emergency Response Team (available 24/7)
• Psych Techs (Ratio: 1:10)
• Charge nurse (CRN-Clinical Resource Nurse) on shift 24/7 to support the (3) units
• Lab comes every day and will draw routine labs – Behavioral Health staff will draw STAT labs
• IV/VAT Team? No
• Resource Nurse: We have 1 on nights 2300-0930, recruiting for a second one

Charting System/Equipment:

• EPIC – required
• Med Dispensing: Omnicell

Floating:

• If we are over staffed for census we float usually techs to the ED or towers. We are located off site of main campus, across town about 15 min. away.
• Could be floated within scope of practice and below

Orientation:

• Psych Tech:
• (2) 8hr or 12hr shifts orienting to the facility
• (1) shift of I-Learns
• (1) shifts Departmental Orientation

Scheduling:

• Blocked scheduling will NOT be accommodated
• Most openings will be posted for variable shifts, meaning there will be no guarantee of nights or days throughout contract
• Weekend rotation: every other weekend; 12 hours on the weekend and also could be a combo on Fri, Sat or Sun; Combo shifts are 2 12’s and 2 8’s in a week;
• 8 hr Days: 0800-1600
• 8 hr Eves: 1600-0030
• 8 hr Nights: 0000-0830
• 12 hr Days: 0800-2030
• 12 hr Nights: 2000-0830
• Will they be on call? They could be low census on call depending on acuity.
• Holiday Expectations: If you work one major holiday of Thanksgiving or Christmas, you get the other one off each year. Other holidays are first request or as the schedule allows. 2/4 holidays are required.
• Approval of time off? Through manager/supervisors.