E.D Psychiatric Tech, Fulltime Days

Stamford Health; Stamford (CT); On-site; USD 48,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Stamford Health is seeking a Psychiatric Technician to provide a safe, therapeutic environment for psychiatric patients and assist with basic care needs. You will collaborate with the health team to implement individualized care plans and support patients during admissions, transitions, and discharges.

Responsibilities include monitoring patients, recording observations, and contributing to the therapeutic milieu while maintaining professional boundaries and safety.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in a related field or at least 1 year of related healthcare experience.
• BLS certification required.
• De-escalation (MOAB or CPI) certification within 6 months of hire.
• Electronic documentation and basic medical terminology.

Responsibilities

• Assist with maintaining a safe, hazard-free environment and report unsafe conditions.
• Respond promptly and calmly to crises or emergencies.
• Develop supportive rapport with patients and families within therapeutic boundaries.
• Perform patient and environmental rounds and report issues to supervising staff.
• Observe and document patient behaviors and responses.
• Collaborate with nursing to meet basic care needs and ADLs.

Skills

De-escalation training

Electronic documentation

Info interpretation

Education

Associate’s degree in related field

Bachelor’s degree preferred

BLS certification

Job description

The Psychiatric Technician is responsible for providing a safe, supportive, and therapeutic environment for psychiatric patients, and to assist with the provision of basic patient care needs. In cooperation with other health team members, the Psychiatric Technician participates in implementing a care plan designed to meet the specific therapeutic goals of the patient. Some physical labor is involved related to assisting patients with bathing, various ADLs, stocking supplies, belongings or during acute situations e.g., physical holds/restraints.

Major Accountabilities/Critical Responsibilities

• Assists with maintaining a safe and hazard-free environment by reporting unsafe conditions or concerns to nursing personnel.
• Demonstrates the ability to respond timely, efficiently, calmly, and take appropriate action during a crisis and any emergency situations.
• Understands and demonstrates therapeutic boundaries while developing an appropriate and supportive rapport with patients and their family or loved ones.
• Demonstrates the ability to perform patient and environmental rounds while reporting clinical or customer service-related issues or questions to supervising staff in a timely fashion.
• Observes and documents patient behaviors.
• Collaborates with nursing to formulate a plan and assists peers, to meet the basic care needs of patients and participates in activities of daily living performance.
• Aids nursing with admission of new patients and facilitating a safe transition.
• Aids nursing with facilitating a safe discharge of patients.
• Assists in the formulation of behavioral care plans and ensures that the behavioral care plans are followed.
• Provides psychoeducational group support, contributes to, and supports the therapeutic milieu, and ensures the safety and well-being of the patient population.
• Demonstrates the ability and competency to monitor acute patients;1:1, CO, restraints, phlebotomy, EKG, point of care testing, vital signs, redirection, while upholding appropriate boundaries yet delivering therapeutic communication.
• Upholds policies and role modeling safe practices for peers.
• Actively participates in monthly tech councils, staff meetings and initiatives surrounding practice development.
• Promotes and facilitates unit based strategic action plans and goals.
• Complies and maintains professional means of communication i.e., checking emails during their shifts; attending staff meetings, safety huddles, IDT, and actively seeks out clarification if needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested to maintain a high level of service.
• Completes required continuous training and education, including department specific requirements.
• Demonstrates professional work behavior by following Service Standards and Success factors.
• Complies with departmental organizational policies and procedures and adheres to external agency requirements.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Associate’s degree in related field or at least one year of work experience in a related job. Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred.
• At least 1 year of experience in the realm of healthcare and psychiatry/behavioral health preferred.
• Requires ability to extract and interpret information and/or perform arithmetic functions.
• BLS certification.
• De-escalation training (MOAB or CPI) certification obtained within 6 months of hire.
• Requires electronic documentation, basic medical terminology

MANUAL SKILLS:

Significant portions of daily assignments involve application of manual skills requiring motor coordination in combination with finger dexterity (e.g., typing, machine operations).

Physical Effort

Some portions of daily assignments involve prolonged standing, transporting material, equipment, patients, or lifting, moving, or carrying heavy (over 30 pounds) for intermittent periods throughout the day.

Physical Environment

Some portions of daily assignments involve exposure to dirt, odors, noise, or include patient care responsibilities with exposure to human waste, body fluids and similar elements. Working surfaces may be un-level, slippery or unstable. Some portions of daily assignments involve occupational risk such as exposure to potentially aggressive patients, cuts, needle punctures, burns, exposure to toxic chemicals, injuries from falls or back injury sustained while assisting with moving, lifting or positioning patients, equipment, or materials.