Patient Care Technician

Psychiatric Technician Position

Unit Notes Department: Adolescent Psych | PCT

Required Certifications: BLS, PCT

Shifts: Day shift 7:00am-3:30pm, Evening 3:00pm-11:30pm, Nights 11:00pm-7:30am

Beds: 27 beds (11 census lately- on average. Divided into two units: Child Side: 11 beds, 2 EOB Beds (extended observation bed). Adolescent Side: 14 beds.)

Nurse: Patient Ratios: 1:6 for days and nights, minimum on the floor are 3 nurses, must be one nurse on each side of the unit and a third to go between the two areas.

Common diagnoses: Child side: 5-11 years old and Adolescent side: 12-17 years, 18 move to adult psych. Common: ADHD, depression, mood disorder, autism, intellectually challenged population, some schizophrenic, bipolar, more history of substance abuse, some placement issues- average LOS is 3 weeks and some can much be longer. Medically stable, some dual sign off medications. No detox or rehab patients, those go to another unit. More focus on connecting, talking and eye contact than physical touch with these populations.

Experience: Must have 1 year in Psych experience and some pediatric clinical experience. Ok with first time travelers. Considerate and kind and sacrifice time to work with these children.

Do you ever have IV's on this unit?: No only in code/ emergent situations.

Charge Nurses: Charge Nurse- assistant nursing care coordinators run the unit 24 hours, travelers could be placed in charge role and been there awhile. Charge will take an assignment.

Do you use physical restraints on this unit?: Seldomly, even less for the Children vs. adolescent. And will be covered in orientation.

Patient Care Technicians: PCTs: directly observing patient care, rounds q 15 minutes, EKG, phlebotomy, ratios depend on staffing needs. Mental Health Aids/Worker, no phlebotomy or EKG, and observe and engage in activities with the patients.

Is RT available if needed? If patients have oxygen or need treatments does RT do these?: No, emergency situations only.

Is there tele on this unit? Monitor Techs? RNs read strips?: No

Shifts & Scheduling: RN 7a-730p, 7p-730a. PCT/CNA 7a-330p, 3-1130p, and 11p-730a. Do not guarantee block scheduling. Excessive call-ins are taken seriously and could lead to termination.

Weekend Requirements: Every other weekend.

Holiday Requirements: Expected to work at least 1 major holiday during holiday season.

Is there call or a standby requirement?: None

Floating Requirements: Travelers are first to float. Try to keep in this unit, float to any psych to adults and children units, psych emergency- crisis area, detox, rehab.

Scrub Color: RN: Royal Blue, PCT/ CNAs: Eggplant.

Unit Specific Orientation: 3 days on this unit and will orient to units that you can float to. Manager really supports staff and wants them to be successful.