PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN

Psychiatric Technician

Sign on Bonus Eligible: $5,000 per applicable guidelines (external hires only)

The Psychiatric Technician assists with ensuring the safety of adults and children with mental illness on acute psychiatric hospital unit. Responsibilities include: delivery of patient care, providing assistance with activities of daily living, provides secretarial support, leads goals/wrap up groups, and direct/lead code secures activities. Actively participates with all unit activities providing support as indicated. Functions as a team member, reporting appropriate observations, information, while maintaining a safe therapeutic milieu.

The Psychiatric Technician:

• Assists with observing the patients and reporting any unusual circumstances to licensed nurse.
• Organizes, prioritizes and provides nursing care in accordance with unit standards.
• Completes the admission/discharge process and documentation according to unit standards in chart/EMR.
• Admissions are greeted, made comfortable, oriented to unit routines and safety precautions within 15 minutes of arrival on the unit.
• Call lights and telephones are answered promptly and basic patient needs are met, whether assigned patient or not.
• Patient safety rounds are conducted every 15 minutes or according to unit policy.
• Performs activities of daily living and assists with meeting nutritional needs of patients.
• Provides patient treatments as delegated such as EKGs, Blood Glucose testing, I&O, enemas, etc.
• Is a patient advocate, protector of patients rights and provider of psychological/social/cultural support. Treats patients with respect and dignity. Calls patient by name, provides privacy, etc. Uses system resources to meet patients cultural and disability needs.
• Provides patients and their families with appropriate information and care in a timely manner.
• Organizes and leads daily goals/wrap up groups. Reports to licensed nurse any issues or concerns by patients verbalized or written in groups.
• Requires ability to function with minimal supervision, recognizing the need for direction and assistance in situations beyond his/her scope of capabilities. Must be able to manage patients with potential for aggressive or combative behavior toward themselves or others. Assist nursing staff with escalating patients. Possess strong communication skills to cope with escalating situations. Leads and directs code secure activities with staff and security. Functions well in crisis situations to ensure safety and well-being of patients, visitors and staff.
• Participates in Quality Management activities. Contributes to Carilion Clinic performance improvement activities. All activities related to performance improvement are completed as requested by the CTL or director. Participates in performance activities and identifies opportunities for improvement in a timely manner.
• Actively participates in cost containment measures at the unit level.
• Supplies used are appropriately charged for at the time of use.
• Discontinued equipment is removed from patient's room, cleaned and returned to the proper storage area.
• Equipment and supplies are utilized in a respectful and cost effective manner according to policy and procedures.
• Contributes to the maintenance of a safe, orderly, and professional environment.
• Identifies safety hazards and corrects them and/or reports them to appropriate resource.
• Selects proper equipment, assures proper operating conditions and uses according to policies and procedures or manufacturer's recommendations.
• Performs clerical duties under supervision of license nursing staff.

What We Require:

Education: High school graduate or GED required.

Experience: N/A

Licensure, Certification, and/or Registration: De-escalation training must be successfully completed within 4 months of hire and then maintained going forward. Must be able to obtain AHA BLS-HCP. Valid Virginia State Drivers license required in the NRV to transport patients.

Other Minimum Qualifications: Requires experience with or the ability for managing patients with explosive potential and/or escalating situations. Requires ability to function with minimum supervision, recognizing the need for direction and assistance in situations beyond his/her scope of capabilities. Requires ability to learn and participate as a team member. Requires clinical skills to work with child, adolescent and adult population understanding their growth and development

This job description is intended to be a representative summary of the major responsibilities and accountabilities performed by incumbents in this role. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Benefits, Pay and Well-being at Carilion Clinic:

Carilion understands the importance of prioritizing your well-being to help you develop and thrive. That's why we offer a well-rounded benefits package, and many perks and well-being resources to help you live a happy, healthy life – at work and when you're away.

When you make your tomorrow with us, we'll enhance your potential to realize the best in yourself. Below are benefits available to you when you join Carilion:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, & Vision Benefits
• Employer Funded Pension Plan, vested after five years (Voluntary 403B)
• Paid Time Off (accrued from day one)
• Onsite fitness studios and discounts to our Carilion Wellness centers
• Access to our health and wellness app, Personify Health
• Discounts on childcare
• Continued education and training