Psychiatric Technician

Job Summary

The Mental Health Technician provides clinical and administrative support within an outpatient psychiatric setting, assisting with patient screening, basic assessments, therapeutic interventions, crisis management, and coordination of care in accordance with established competencies and clinic policies. This role monitors patient safety, documents and reports findings, facilitates psychoeducational programs, supports rehabilitation efforts, and collaborates with providers and external agencies to ensure comprehensive mental health services delivery.

Required Qualifications

• Education:

  • Graduation from an accredited Psychiatric Technician Program
  • Completion of an equivalent education and experience that meets the requirement of the American Association of Psychiatric Technicians
  • Completion of education and experience as a behavioral science specialist/technician in the United States military and proof of having completed an Armed Forces course involving psychiatric technician training or civilian course from an accredited school in the care of behavioral health patients

• Certifications:

  • Basic Life Support (BLS)

• Experience:

  • One year of experience as a Psychiatric Technician after graduation

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor, escort, and/or act as a therapeutic participant in patient activities in the outpatient psychiatric clinic and outpatient programs.

• Provide care for patients utilizing proper infection control and safety techniques as planned and/or ordered. Documents per clinic policy and notifies the mental health provider in charge of any abnormal or unusual findings in a timely manner.

• Screens patients to determine presenting problems and priority of appointment. This may entail telephone triage or in-person evaluation. Performs basic assessment procedures, including initial screening evaluation and standardized psychological testing. Assists credentialed providers with identifying mental health diagnosis and treatment strategies, as well as providing patient education.

• Affixes to provide specialized treatment and rehabilitation of mental health patients. Assist in conducting individual and group therapy sessions. Observe, monitor, report, and record patient interaction and progress. Institute precautionary measures to prevent patient injuries due to suicide, homicide, or elopement. Perform verbal de-escalation and applies manual or mechanical restraints as needed. Receives training and maintains certification in the Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behaviors (PMDB), Levels I-IV.

• Present or facilitate a variety of health and wellness programs, including stress management, suicide prevention/intervention, and smoking cessation. Conduct various programs in support of the clinic.

• Coo-collaborate with other base agencies and MTFs regarding specialized care, treatment, and administrative functions. Contact military or community agencies to obtain collateral information. Explains and interprets mental health services and procedures to access care to patients and commands. Assists in or arranges for patient referral to other facilities for alternate level of care.

• Provide care to mentally ill or emotionally disturbed patients and participate in rehabilitation and treatment programs.

• Measure and record patient's general physical condition, such as weight, pulse, temperature, and respiration, to provide daily information. Observe patients to detect behavior patterns and report observations to medical staff.

• Co-facilitate prescribed psychoeducational individual or group sessions as part of specific therapeutic procedures and independently facilitate educational groups.

• Schedule new and follow-up patients for clinic appointments, in accordance with applicable service Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and FHCC instructions.

Work Environment & Schedule

Monday through Friday from 7:00am - 5:00pm, onsite required, Lovell Federal Health Care Center

Compensation & Benefits

Up to $26.00 per hour + Health and Welfare

Physical requirements

May be required to lift 20-25 lbs independently. Position requires long periods of standing.