Compassionate Psychiatric Technician: Direct Patient Care

Location: Davidson County Last Day to Apply: May 27, 2026 Business Unit: Health Care - Unlicensed Job Family: Mental Health Job Opening ID: 77958 Department: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Location of (5) positions to be filled: Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, Davidson County This position is located at Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute Classification: Psychiatric Technician with approved hiring rate of $3,250 monthly / $39,000 yearly Position type: On-site Background check: Criminal background check required. Candidates may need to provide information about criminal history. Qualifications Education: Graduation from a standard high school. Special qualifications: Valid motor vehicle operator license may be required; some positions may require a valid motor vehicle operator’s license with a FOR HIRE (F) endorsement. Overview Under general supervision, responsible for psychiatric technical work of average difficulty; performs related work as required. This is the working level class in the Psychiatric Technician sub-series. Employees provide direct care on patient units in a psychiatric hospital with responsibilities including providing daily living care, individualized teaching, group teaching, and supervised medical assistance. Some positions may also perform clerical or administrative duties related to patient admissions, documentation, scheduling, or unit operations, depending on facility needs. An employee in this class may be assigned to work days, evenings, nights, weekends, and/or holidays. This class differs from Lead Psychiatric Technician, which trains and orients new Psychiatric Technicians and may supervise Psychiatric Technicians on an assigned shift in a unit. NOTE: Applicant must successfully complete an approved Psychiatric Technician training course with the State of Tennessee or pass an equivalent examination. Failure to do so may result in termination. Responsibilities Provides basic and/or emergency/psychiatric medical assistance under direct supervision of a licensed health care provider. Rescues injured patients and/or escorts patients to appropriate areas during the event of an emergency. Teaches patients to function at the highest daily living level possible through demonstration, one-on-one instruction, videos, or booklets. Promotes social interaction by encouraging patient participation in group activities and/or discussions. Identifies patients at risk based on current assessment by medical professionals and follows established protocols for specific risks to ensure safety of patients and staff. Monitors patients during administration of medications and meals to assist in compliance with prescribed regimen and monitors office and medical supplies to ensure adequate quantities are on hand. Identifies problematic situations between staff and patients and takes appropriate corrective action (e.g., intervenes when a staff member is having difficulties interacting with a patient.). Restrains patients to prevent injuries to themselves and others. Reports to immediate supervisor observed progression or regression in patients that may indicate training/treatment need changes. Meets with other staff to discuss and document patient behavior or any other hospital situations that have occurred. Cleans the work area, supplies, and equipment to ensure a sanitary living environment. Inspects patients' belongings, rooms, and other patient areas to check for contraband, safety and health issues, equipment functioning, or other problems or issues. Perform clerical or administrative tasks such as completing forms, entering data, maintaining records, processing admissions, answering phones, explaining HIPAA laws, patients' rights, and other information to patients, families, and/or conservators or assisting with unit documentation. Maintains current information and adheres to the Health Information Portability and Privacy Act (HIPAA) and other regulatory standards relevant to job duties. Attends annual and periodic in-service training to keep up-to-date on the latest methods and technologies relevant to job duties. Competencies (KSA's) Interpersonal Savvy Manages Conflict Customer Focus Action Oriented Knowledge Customer and Personal Service Skills Time Management Learning Strategies Instructing Critical Thinking Abilities Multilimb Coordination Multilimb Strength Limb and/or Full Body Coordination Speech Clarity Tools & Equipment Computer Electronic Devices General Office Equipment Various Medical Equipment and Devices TN Driver Standards State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving responsibilities require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications: A valid driver’s license For the past five years, the candidate’s driver record must not contain a record of the following violations: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations. Please include your Driver's License Information under the Licenses and Certifications section of your application. Agencies may allow an exception based on other factors. #J-18808-Ljbffr