Psychiatric Technician (p/t) - Psych Dept.

Psychiatric Technician

Position at Norwalk Hospital Association

Shift: Day/Eve, three 8-hr shifts 7a-3:30p & 3p-11:30p

Northwell is the largest not-for-profit health system in the Northeast, serving residents of New York and Connecticut with 28 hospitals, more than 1,000 outpatient facilities, 22,000 nurses and over 20,000 physicians. Northwell cares for more than three million people annually in the New York metro area, including Long Island, the Hudson Valley, Connecticut and beyond, thanks to philanthropic support from our communities. Northwell is New York State's largest private employer with over 104,000 employees including members of Northwell Health Physician Partners who are working to change health care for the better. Norwalk Hospital is a 366-bed academic and community medical center serving Fairfield County, Connecticut, and the surrounding New York Metro area. We are a Level II Trauma Center and Joint Replacement Center of Excellence, and we provide advanced cancer, heart, and neuroscience care. Our accolades include the following:

• The Leapfrog Group - Grade A for quality and patient safety
• Healthgrades - America's 50 Best Hospitals
• U.S. News & World Report - high performance in heart failure treatment

At Norwalk Hospital, we prioritize the health and well-being of our team, fostering a friendly and supportive culture where collaboration and compassion are at the heart of what we do. From the moment you step through our doors, you'll experience a sense of community that makes our hospital a truly special place to work. Our employees feel a deep connection here because we're not just part of the community we are its center.

Summary:

Provides nursing care to a patient or group of patients under the direction and supervision of a Registered Professional Nurse. Leads groups & activities with patients.

Responsibilities:

1. Patient Care Criteria A: Provides patient care as directed by the Registered Nurse. Prioritizes assignments in consultation with the RN and provides patient education related to the scope of practice. Patient Care Criteria B: Performs procedures as identified by the PT Skills Checklist; refers to and utilizes appropriate resources. Responds promptly to patient care needs. Patient Care Criteria C: Maintains a safe patient environment incorporating Norwalk Hospital Policies and Procedures. Patient Care Criteria D: Shows initiative in noting and offering assistance with unit needs.

2. Communication Criteria A: Communicates with patients, visitors and coworkers within the scope of his/her responsibilities in a courteous manner and takes into consideration issues as it relates to mental status. Communication Criteria B: Observes and reports to the Registered Nurse information about their assigned patients, including changes in condition, behaviors, verbalizations, or any occurrences of an unusual nature, in a clear and timely manner. Communication Criteria C: Documents accurately patient data on appropriate paper forms and in the electronic medical record. Communication Criteria D: Obtains information necessary to carry out patient care assignment.

3. Documentation of Mental Status and Behaviors Criteria A: The Psychiatric Technician Admission Intake documents that consent forms were given, patient rights explained, unit orientation done and routines and roles of providers explained, etc., and that height, weight and vital signs were obtained and belongings were processed. Documentation of Mental Status and Behaviors Criteria B: Progress notes provide information as it pertains to the patient's mental status and behaviors. Documentation of Mental Status and Behaviors Criteria C: Documentation covers patient's expression of suicidal ideation, impaired thought processes, and perception that the patient has the potential for harm to self or others.

4. Use of Restraints Criteria A: There is a verbalized knowledge regarding the appropriate use of restraints and that this knowledge is incorporated into practice. Use of Restraints Criteria B: There is verbalized knowledge regarding the proper care of patients in restraints. Use of Restraints Criteria C: There is a return demonstration at least annually to indicate that the PT can assist in application of restraints under direction of the RN in charge of the restraining. Use of Restraints Criteria D: There is verbalized knowledge regarding appropriate assessment of patients in restraints as it pertains to the role of psych tech and the restraint flow sheet is filled out appropriately.

5. Maintenance of a therapeutic milieu and safety on a Behavioral Health unit Criteria A: Demonstrates the ability to appropriately set limits on patient behaviors, and the ability to respond and de-escalate patients with potential for violence. Maintenance of a therapeutic milieu and safety on a Behavioral Health unit Criteria B: Demonstrates the ability to conduct a contraband search assuring patient rights are maintained. Maintenance of a therapeutic milieu and safety on a Behavioral Health unit Criteria C: Exercises principles of confidentiality as it pertains to the behavioral health population. Maintenance of a therapeutic milieu and safety on a Behavioral Health unit Criteria D: Assesses the environment as it pertains to issues of safety.

6. Group leadership Criteria A: Demonstrates the ability to lead / co-lead groups. Group leadership Criteria B: Leads or co-leads wrap up, goals, and activities groups. Group leadership Criteria C: Documents patients' participation in group.

7. Patient rights Criteria A: Demonstrates knowledge of issues related to patient rights, including the requirements for the involuntary patient and documentation reflects this. Patient rights Criteria B: Assures that the patient is aware of their rights as evidenced by the documentation that these rights have been reviewed.

8. Patient education Criteria A: Identifies the learning needs of the patient / family and documents. Patient education Criteria B: Provides information and instruction on the constructive behaviors and the importance of participating in the milieu, and documents this information as well as the patient's response to education

9. Performs other duties as assigned. 10. Fulfills all compliance responsibilities related to the position.

Education Skills Experience:

Required: One year of work experience with psychiatric population preferred. High school diploma or equivalent is required. BLS/CPR required within 90 days of start date or upon completion of orientation process (before being released from orientation and functioning independently) whichever comes first. CPI or other de-escalation technique training within 6 months of hire.

With strong hearts and open minds, we're pushing past boundaries and challenging the expected, all in the name of possibility. We are neighbors caring for neighbors, working together as partners in health to improve the lives of the people we serve. If you share our passion for the health of our communities, advance your career with Northwell Health!