PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN (ENTRY LEVEL & FULL PERFORMANCE)

Position Overview State of Hawaii, Department of Health, in the Island of Oahu. Salary: entry level $4,371 per month (HE04); full performance $4,726 per month (HE06). This role serves on the psychiatric unit of an acute care hospital and is part of the treatment team, delivering personal care, nursing services, and adjunctive recreational and diversional activities. Employees may work shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Key Duties and Responsibilities Orientation and Companionship Orient patients to the hospital setting, rules, regulations, patient rights, and the treatment team system. Act as a companion for newly admitted patients, establishing rapport and facilitating a social network with other patients. Assessment and Planning Take vital signs, monitor seclusion/restraint status, and record observations in the patient chart. Observe patient needs and report findings to the charge nurse. Participate in the treatment team, contributing to the formulation of master treatment plans. Assist in planning therapeutic interventions during situational crises. Participate in daily community meetings with team members to set daily goals. Implementation and Evaluation Teach patients self‑help skills for activities of daily living. Implement adjunctive recreational and diversional services planned by the RN, Recreational Therapist, or Occupational Therapist. Maintain a safe and therapeutic milieu and initiate corrective measures for unsafe conditions. Monitor contraband and enforce unit rules and regulations. Evaluate the effectiveness of crisis intervention approaches with the charge nurse and team. Assist in assessing patients’ conditions and progress per master treatment plans. Other Duties Admit, transfer, and/or discharge patients. Assist in emergency procedures such as fire escape, code red/yellow, seclusion and restraints, patient searches, bomb threats, and disaster drills. Transport or escort patients as assigned. Provide physical care to patients who are unable to care for themselves. Attend in‑service and continuing education programs. Perform temporary duties on other units as necessary. Complete mandatory training programs and maintain current CPR certification. Participate in hospital‑wide quality assurance and infection control activities. Participate in research surveys. Knowledge, Abilities, and Performance Level Full Performance level demonstrates proficiency in applying all specified knowledge and abilities independently, in accordance with policies, procedures, and work rules. Qualifications To qualify, applicants must meet all of the following: Prerequisite Qualifications for Entry Level Experience: One (1) year of work experience in a hospital or medically oriented institution that involved observing, reporting, and implementing fundamental physical and mental care procedures. Knowledge of basic spoken and written English, nursing skills (taking vital signs, monitoring abnormal signs), patient rights, infection control, body mechanics, medical terminology, and psychiatric principles. Ability to establish therapeutic relationships, follow directions, keep records, analyze situations, and take effective action. Prerequisite Qualifications for Full Performance Level (in addition to entry level): One (1) year of work experience in a mental health facility or unit performing therapeutic activities under supervision of a qualified professional. Knowledge of behavioral characteristics associated with mental health problems, behavioral and psychiatric procedures, intervention and de‑escalation techniques, medication side effects, and ability to assist in the treatment team. Ability to independently provide adjunctive services (recreational and diversional activities) to a caseload of psychiatric patients. Legal Authorization to Work The State of Hawaii requires that all applicants be citizens, nationals, or permanent resident aliens of the United States, or eligible under federal law for unrestricted employment in the United States. #J-18808-Ljbffr State of Hawai'i