Psychiatric Technician, PRN- Youth Residential Treatment Program

Responsibilities

• Affords a safe and hazard-free environment by observing and documenting patient behavior, conducting patient room searches, reporting unsafe conditions, and applying appropriate emotional and physical support.
• Assists with the admission of new patients by gathering routine information for nursing assessment, searching patients and personal effects for contraband, and documenting personal effects and other appropriate information.
• Orients patients and their families to the facility and its policies and procedures.
• Escorts patients to off-unit appointments and activities using therapeutic interventions to ensure the safety of the patient, hospital staff, and other patients and visitors.
• Supports the therapeutic milieu for patients by encouraging participation in recreational activities and group therapies.
• Assists with supportive therapy for select patients by leading activity and conversation groups.
• Participates in the development of patient behavioral contracts.
• Might function as a preceptor to new Psychiatric Technicians and assists level staff.
• Contributes to the unit's training and quality assurance programs.
• Functions as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Assists with initiating and contributing to patient treatment planning, teaching, and discharge planning.
• Participates in patient care team conferences by sharing observations of patient's progress toward identified goals and assisting the primary Registered Nurse with the development, evaluation, and revision of patient care plans.

Qualifications

• Six months of behavioral health or direct patient care experience; may include CNA, MA, HCA, Teacher’s aide or assistant.
• Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system, to be obtained within 30 days of hire.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Recognizes adverse reactions to medication and reports them promptly to the Registered Nurse.
• Absorbs and responds to potential self-harm or harm to others, and assists with restraints and seclusion as necessary.
• Develops interpersonal skills to gain the trust of patients and respond appropriately in crisis situations.
• Utilizes group dynamics principles to facilitate social, behavioral, and communication skills among group members.
• Displays knowledge and skills pertinent to the age of patients served on the assigned unit.
• Understands principles of life span growth and development and applies this knowledge to assess patient status and provide care.
• Demonstrates strong human relations and effective communication skills.