Psychiatric Technician, 6 Ridgeway, Full Time, 12 Hour AM-AFSCME

About the role

The Psychiatric Therapeutic Program Worker (TPW) works in a 20-bed, mixed Geriatric/Psychiatric co-ed unit at UC Medical Center. The unit focuses on the treatment of older adults, many of whom are 55 and older, with primary psychiatric diagnoses.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a therapeutic milieu and a safe environment for all psychiatric patients on the unit.
• Engage in population-appropriate communication.
• Give clear instructions to patients/family regarding treatment.
• Involves family/guardian in the assessment, initial treatment, and continuing care of the patient.
• Identifies and responds appropriately to patients/families with behavioral health problems.
• Interprets population-related data and plans care appropriately.
• Identifies and responds appropriately to different needs resulting from unique psychological needs or those associated with religious/cultural norms.
• Performs treatments, administers medication, or operates equipment safely.
• Recognizes and responds to signs/symptoms of abuse or neglect.
• Monitors the unit for safety at all times, maintains a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, manages patient's behavior, prepares room for patient's arrival, orientates patients to the unit, checks belongings for hazardous objects or weapons, secures all belongings in designated areas, provides routine bed checks and secure areas.
• Provides clinical duties as directed by Registered Nurse, including NIPPAS for vital signs and daily weights, phlebotomy, EKG, finger sticks, assistance with feedings, personal hygiene/grooming, ADLs, collecting meal trays and returning to dietary, clean dining area, provide clean linen and dispose of soiled linen, and assist with inventory control and distribution of supplies and equipment in the clinical areas and hallways.
• Co-leads treatment groups, such as Goals Group, Exercise Group, etc.
• Participates, organizes, and directs social and therapeutic leisure time activities, such as Bingo, card playing, chess, and activities in the Recreation Room.
• Observes individual behaviors and group interactions and reports any major changes in patient's behavior and/or medical condition to the RN.
• Initiates basic psychiatric interventions and provides appropriate redirection as needed.
• Uses age-appropriate communication skills.
• Provides non-punitive limit setting, appropriate modeling, and reinforcement as needed to meet the patient's emotional needs.
• Affords assistance in physical crisis management as needed and/or assigned.
• Participates in quality improvement activities.
• Attends staff meetings, in-service sessions, and crisis intervention programs.
• Transports patients to X-ray, EEG, MRI, clinic appointments, etc.

Qualifications

• Minimum required: High School diploma/GED.
• Preferred: Relevant college coursework.
• STNA certification preferred or college-level coursework in nursing/psychiatry/social work.
• Minimum required: Six months direct patient care experience in psychiatric setting or equivalent college-level coursework in nursing/psychology/social work.
• Preferred: Specialized training in phlebotomy, vitals signs, and assistance with activities of daily living experience.
• NCI-APS (Nonviolent Crisis Intervention with Advanced Physical Skills) Certification must be obtained within 90 days of hire.