Technician Psychiatric II

Introduction

To heal, to teach, to discover and to advance the health of the communities we serve.

Overview

The Psychiatric Technician II is a member of a team dedicated to providing the highest quality of care and services to our psychiatric patients. Where assigned and under the direction of the registered Nurse (RN) and /or Physician and in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, participates in crisis and or de-escalation interventions, therapeutic observations, patient supervision and other behavioral health related duties. The Psychiatric Technician II's duties include the implementation of seclusion/restraints for patients deemed in need of theses interventions. As an integral part of the team, the Psychiatric The Psychiatric Technician II is responsible for ensuring the function and maintenance of a safe, clean and functional environment for patients; assists with dietary aspects of care, answers phones, transports patients and assists visitors.

Responsibilities

Identifies client characteristic and environmental variables that may trigger agitated behavior (s) and communicates such information to the treatment team. (Able to access Pt's. Personal Safety Pan, use as applicable / Report pertinent information to assigned RN / Treatment Team)

• Assists in providing and maintaining a safe environment for the patient through observation and alternative interventions, including safety/ environmental rounds, response to call bells utilizing Montefiore Excellence Standards.
• Provides for patients need for rest and sleep by maintaining a quiet environment.
• Communicates clinical matters to assigned RN or other professional staff as required
• Escorts patient to required location(s) on and off facility premises
• Monitors and control patient family, visitor (s) and staff flow through behavioral health service
• Monitors treatment activities and groups
• Treatment Activities/groups within Psychiatric Technician II scope of practice

The Psychiatric Technician II demonstrates the standards of behavior at MMC.

• Consistently demonstrates:
• Respect: Honors and values each person.
• Effective Communication: Effectively listens, conveys, and receives ideas, information, and direction.
• Sensitivity: Demonstrates willingness and ability to listen and understand others’ feelings, needs and circumstances.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates confidence, competence and pride in work and appearance.
• Exceeding Expectations: Assists others without being asked.
• Courtesy: Treats everyone with kindness and care.
• Teamwork: Builds cooperative, constructive working relationships.
• Assures the safety of client and staff through electronics scanning and safety checks prior to entry to behavioral health services.
• Inspect and categorize client's belongings at time of admission / as necessary during hospitalization and assures that property is safely maintained and returned at the time of transfer or discharge; notifies appropriate personnel of illegal items for proper handling.
• Participates in staff departmental and team/committee meetings.
• Participates in departmental quality assurance/performance improvement (QI/PI) activities.
• Participates in departmental and/or facility wide training as required.
• May lead or co-lead discussion groups in areas such as anger management techniques and practices; ADLs; Current Affairs; etc. and appropriately documents group activity
• Performs Vital signs, EKG, Phlebotomy and blood glucose monitoring as ordered, records and reports appropriately.
• Provides direct patient care in accordance with the goals and objectives of Nursing Services under the guidance of the Registered Professional Nurse.
• Balanced Performance Measure:
  Internal Process (IP)
• Provides assistance/supervision during activities of daily living such as eating, bathing and ambulating as appropriate for the neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult or elderly patient.
• Meets the hygiene and grooming needs of patients including bathing, shaving, hair care, oral care and perineal care.
• Assists in meeting the nutritional needs of patients through activities such as delivering, setting up and collecting trays, preparing patients for meals, feeding or assisting with feeding and recording intake and output.
• Meets patient’s need for mobility by performing ambulation, transferring from bed to chair or stretcher and applying splints and braces.
• Participates in maintaining patient=s skin integrity through utilization of pressure relieving devices, turning and positioning, and assisting in pressure ulcer care.
• Provides patient comfort measures such as bed making, positioning and body alignment and back rubs.
• Assists patients with elimination needs (including administration of cleansing enemas) provides urinary catheter care, measures and documents output and participates in bowel and bladder retraining according to policy and procedure.
• Assists in providing and maintaining a safe environment for the patient through observation and alternative interventions, including safety/ environmental rounds, response to call bells utilizing Montefiore Excellence Standards.
• Provides for patient=s need for rest and sleep by maintaining a quiet environment.
• Maintains body substance precautions and follows infection control policies within the institution.
• Obtains and documents vital signs as directed including temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration, pain score, height and weight. Reports variations from baseline to RN and documents the notification.

Requirements

• High School/GED Required
• 1-3 years Training Program in the application and use of restraints and seclusion, Montefiore Crisis Management, BLS, Phlebotomy, EKG, Blood Glucose, VS. required
• 1-3 years Experience in nursing or psychiatric/behavioral health care in a high volume, intensive care environment required
• OHS Annual Assessment required
• OHS Fit Test required
• Completion of and certified to perform vital signs, phlebotomy, EKGs and blood glucose monitoring
• Successful completion of an appropriate training program in the application and use of restraints and seclusion must be completed