Psychiatric Technician - Day Shift

NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn is a full-service teaching hospital and Level I trauma center located in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. The hospital serves as NYU Langone Health's anchor for healthcare access, growth, and delivery in the borough.

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Psychiatric Technician on the Day Shift. In this role, the successful candidate provides direct patient observation and support within the Behavioral Health setting to promote patient safety and a therapeutic environment. Responsibilities include monitoring and reporting changes in patient behavior and condition, assisting with safety interventions, contraband searches, patient transport, and one-to-one observation, while maintaining patient confidentiality, dignity, and compliance with departmental policies and documentation requirements.

Responsibilities

• Identify notable behavior of patients and their families and communicate observations to the RN in charge of the patient.
• Recognize physical or psychological changes in patients' condition during 1:1 observation and communicate it to the appropriate channels.
• Demonstrate how to apply restraints appropriately on an annual basis.
• Maintain thorough knowledge of hospital policies and standards regarding restraint and seclusion and 1:1 observation.
• Recognize verbal/non-verbal communication problems of patients and their families consistently.
• Ensure patient confidentiality is adhered to according to NYS and Federal guidelines.
• Make regular rounds of assigned patients, recognize changes in patient status, and report appropriate information to the nurse in charge consistently.
• Provide information regarding patient behavior and interactions to the RN for use in developing an individual master treatment plan.
• Participate in providing a safe environment for patients and others, including visitor screening during visiting hours.
• Under the direction of nursing staff, set limits and restrictions in a considerate and humane manner.
• Protect patients' privacy, confidentiality, and rights daily.
• Participate in the evaluation of the therapeutic environment and report non-therapeutic components to the RN as needed.
• Complete various errands as requested, such as transporting patients, contraband searches, retrieving and delivering supplies, specimens, instruments, and test results.
• Perform 1:1 observation within the Behavioral Health Department as needed.
• Receive report from RN and verify observational status.
• Demonstrate the location of duress buttons, restraints, and security phone numbers as needed.
• Complete thorough contraband searches of patients' belongings upon admission according to departmental policy and procedure, and communicate pertinent information to RN and MD.

Expected Documentation Requirements

• Document appropriately for 1:1 and close frequent observation patients.
• Document appropriately for Q15 checks (Brooklyn/LICH) or Q30 checks (Manhattan).
• Document patients' belongings in EPIC according to hospital policy.
• Document appropriately relative to patient restraints as required by RN.

Contribution to Department Functioning

• Bring patients to the floor and stay with them until they are turned over to a Nurse or Mental Health Assistant for interviews or body check observations.
• Help serve meals and assist in the Dining Room as needed.
• Demonstrate willingness to help with Activities of Daily Living, including assisting with bathing.
• Consistently monitor showers of patients and assist as needed.
• Help patients who are discharged, such as packing their belongings.
• Assist in taking patients out when transportation arrives.
• Assist patients with laundry daily as needed.
• Provide 1:1 observation on the assigned unit.
• Work as part of a psychiatric team consistently.

Requirements

• High School diploma or comparable education equivalent.
• Ability to work effectively with Behavioral Health patients.
• Knowledge of non-violent crisis intervention technique/de-escalation training.
• AHA Heartsaver or AHA BLS Certification.
• Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization.
• Occasionally lift/carry up to 25 lbs.
• Occasionally push/pull up to 75 lbs.
• Frequently bend, squat, kneel, and occasionally reach above shoulders.

Benefits

NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn provides a comprehensive benefits and wellness package designed to support employees and their loved ones. Offerings include:

• Financial security benefits.
• A generous time-off program.
• Employee resource groups for peer support.
• Access to a holistic employee wellness program focusing on physical, mental, nutritional, sleep, social, financial, and preventive care well-being.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $54,581.57 - $54,581.57 annually. Actual salaries depend on a variety of factors, including experience, specialty, education, and hospital need.