PCT-Escort

About the role

Western State Hospital is hiring for their 1st shift, Monday-Friday Psychiatric Care Technician-Escort position. The candidate for this position will be responsible for escorting patients while providing nursing care and a safe, therapeutic environment for a specific patient population.

Responsibilities

• Escort patients while providing nursing care and a safe, therapeutic environment for a specific patient population
• Provide direct psychiatric patient care under the supervision of licensed staff
• Effectively communicate with staff and psychiatric patients
• Follow instructions and report observations/behaviors of psychiatric patients to licensed staff in a timely manner by describing observations verbally, in written, or electronically
• Appropriately intervene in crisis or problem situations
• Provide direction and assistance to psychiatric patients in activities of daily living
• Perform infection prevention and control practices and appropriately apply standards in daily activities
• Work in a secure and locked environment with individuals who are experiencing acute symptoms of mental illness and/or additional forensic/legal involvement
• Work overtime due to staffing emergencies in a 24 hour 7 day per week psychiatric hospital which at times may mean working a 16-hour shift if and when necessary

Qualifications

• A valid driver's license is required
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients and staff
• Ability to follow instructions and report observations/behaviors to licensed nurse
• Ability to provide direct psychiatric patient care under the supervision of licensed staff
• Ability to work in a secure and locked environment with individuals who are experiencing acute symptoms of mental illness and/or additional forensic/legal involvement
• Demonstrate knowledge of recovery/trauma informed care
• Willing to learn basic knowledge of developmental and psychiatric disorders along with human behavior, age-specific needs, and personality development
• Willing to learn basic treatment measures to promote mental health appropriate to the adult, developmentally disabled or impaired, and/or geriatric populations
• Vision and hearing adequate to recognize and respond to hazardous situation and ensure safety at facility
• Ability to work effectively with staff in a team approach
• Ability to perform repetitious walking and/or standing, bending, lifting and reaching over to position/restrain/transfer/transport and/or escort individuals, and provide assistance with activities of daily living
• Complete all annual competency training to include TOVA III with physical restraints
• Complete and maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for Healthcare Providers with the American Heart Association
• Has basic computer skills
• If CNA, maintain certification in good standing with the Virginia State Board of Nursing

Additional considerations

• Previous healthcare experience preferred
• Bi-lingual Spanish/English
• Veteran or Spouse of Veteran
• Certified Nursing Assistant