Patient Care Technician (PCT) - ED Behavioral Health

Patient Care Technician (PCT) in the Behavioral Health Emergency Department

Work where every moment matters.

Every day, more than 40,000 Hartford HealthCare colleagues come to work with one thing in common: Pride in what we do, knowing every moment matters here. We invite you to become part of Connecticuts most comprehensive healthcare network.

Join us at Backus Hospital as we live our values every day. As part of Hartford HealthCare we create a better future for healthcare in Connecticut and beyond. By embodying these values we have become nationally respected for patient care and most trusted for personalized coordinated care.

Job Summary:

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) in the Behavioral Health Emergency Department plays a vital role in supporting patients experiencing acute psychiatric or behavioral health crises. Working in a fast-paced, team-driven environment, the PCT provides direct patient care, assists with clinical tasks, and supports the interdisciplinary team in ensuring a safe, therapeutic, and compassionate care experience. The role requires strong communication skills, emotional resilience, and the ability to engage patients of all ages in crisis. This entry level position performs in a high activity work environment with multiple priorities and necessitates flexibility in scheduling.

Key Responsibilities:

• Direct Patient Care
• Assist patients with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) including bathing, dressing, hygiene, eating, and mobility.
• Provide supportive care to children, adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients with varying behavioral health needs.
• Support fall prevention efforts, including monitoring, safe ambulation, and environmental safety checks.
• Assist patients experiencing substance use or withdrawal, offering observation, engagement, and support as directed by clinical staff.
• Clinical Support
• Perform and assist with clinical skills such as:
• Venipuncture
• Specimen and laboratory collection
• Point-of-care testing as required
• Document patient observations and care activities accurately and promptly in the electronic medical record.
• Behavioral Health Support
• Utilize Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) techniques to safely manage escalating behaviors through:
• Verbal de-escalation
• Therapeutic engagement
• Nonphysical intervention methods
• Provide ongoing patient observation, including performing 1:1 safety checks or continuous monitoring for high-risk patients.
• Build rapport with patients to encourage trust, cooperation, and participation in care.
• Safety & Team Collaboration
• Actively support the Behavioral Health Emergency Departments mission to provide safe and compassionate care to individuals in crisis.
• Collaborate closely with nurses, providers, social workers, and security personnel.
• Participate in rapid response and emergency situations following unit protocols.

Qualifications

Skills & Qualities

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced emergency environment
• Strong communication, empathy, and active listening skills
• Ability to remain calm in high-stress situations
• Physical ability to assist with patient mobility, safety interventions, and continuous monitoring
• Respectful, patient-centered approach with understanding of trauma-informed care principles
• Ability to demonstrate cultural sensitivity in all interactions with patients/families and co-workers
• Must be able to read and understand oral and written instructions, and effectively communicate information in English
• Flexibility to respond to changes in work schedules as necessary or as requested

Preferred:

• High school diploma or GED
• Some relevant experience
• Current certified BLS Provider credentialed from the American Heart Association (AHA)
• Current CNA or EMT certification