Patient Care Tech - Per Diem - Clinical Research

CenExel; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 26,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

CenExel is seeking a Psychiatric Technician I PRN to support psychiatric patients in clinical trials. The role requires interacting with subjects, monitoring behavior, and assisting with daily activities under moderate oversight at our centers.

Training and adherence to regulatory standards are emphasized. Responsibilities include observing, de-escalating, meal support, medication administration (if certified), and maintaining professional boundaries within an on-site, clinic environment.

Qualifications

• Must communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• 1-2 years experience with individuals with major mental illnesses (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression) as a psych tech in inpatient/acute care settings preferred.
• High School graduate or equivalent.
• Prior medical experience preferred but not required.
• Maintain professional boundaries with subjects.

Responsibilities

• Presents understanding of components of care and how the role of psychiatric technician fits into the delivery of services.
• Observes and reports personality and/or behavior changes in subjects to the charge person or charge nurse.
• Completes responsibilities as delegated by the charge person or charge nurse for the shift.
• Interacts closely with clients to assist them in problem solving and to de-escalate subjects who become upset or belligerent.
• Assists with completing a group activity during each shift worked.
• Communicates appropriately with subjects while assisting them with ADL’s, supplying them with cigarette breaks as allowed in the protocol.
• Provides the subjects with meals and snacks as allowed in the study, ensuring subjects adhere to the protocol specific dietary and smoking restrictions.
• Assist the subjects with meal prep, meal ordering, meal choices, and delivers meals depending on location.
• Assists subjects with laundry and housekeeping tasks as needed.
• Assists with nightly room and equipment checks.
• Assists with dispensing medications (if properly certified) as instructed by MD or Medication Administration Record.
• Communicates with MD in person or over the phone to receive PRN or STAT medication changes as needed for subjects.
• Supports and ensures strictest adherence to best practices, FDA CFR, ICH, GCP, CenExel SOPs, site working practices, protocol, and company guidelines and policies.
• Assumes other duties as assigned.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Professional boundaries

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Job description

CenExel is a leading nationwide clinical research site and patient network serving the life sciences industry. Leading in CNS and early phase studies, our 18 science-led Centers of Excellence deliver the right patients, at the right time, in the right place. Recently acquired by BayPine Capital Partners, our research sites provide unparalleled medical and scientific support in the design and execution of clinical trials. Our world-class PIs, advanced patient engagement strategies, premium data analytics, and integrated operations optimize every step of the clinical trial process.

Job Summary

With moderate oversight the Psychiatric Technician I PRN position interacts directly with psychiatric patients participating in clinical trials. The psychiatric technician demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development appropriate to adults with psychiatric disorders and has basic competency in applying these principles when providing individualized care for specific research subjects.

Schedule

PRN, needed for mixed shifts weekday mornings and/or nights, and some weekends as needed

Compensation

$19.08 - $23.18/hr (Depending on education, experience, and skillset)

Essential Responsibilities And Duties

• Presents an understanding of components of care and how the role of psychiatric technician fits into the delivery of services.
• Observes and reports personality and/or behavior changes in subjects to the charge person or charge nurse.
• Completes responsibilities as delegated by the charge person or charge nurse for the shift.
• Interacts closely with clients to assist them in problem solving and to de-escalate subjects who become upset or belligerent.
• Assists with completing a group activity during each shift worked.
• Communicates appropriately with subjects while assisting them with ADL’s, supplying them with cigarette breaks as allowed in the protocol.
• Provides the subjects with meals and snacks as allowed in the study, ensuring subjects adhere to the protocol specific dietary and smoking restrictions.
• Assist the subjects with meal prep, meal ordering, meal choices, and delivers meals depending on location.
• Assists subjects with laundry and housekeeping tasks as needed.
• Assists with nightly room and equipment checks.
• Assists with dispensing medications (if properly certified) as instructed by MD or Medication Administration Record. Communicates with MD in person or over the phone to receive PRN or STAT medication changes as needed for subjects.
• Supports and ensures strictest adherence to best practices, FDA Code of Federal Regulations, ICH (International Conference on Harmonization), GCP (Good Clinical Practices), CenExel standard operating procedures, site working Practices, protocol, and company guidelines and policies.
• Assumes other duties and responsibilities as assigned. The above responsibilities are a general description of the level and nature of the work assigned to this classification and are not to be considered as all inclusive.

Education/Experience/Skills

• Must be able to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
• 1 - 2 years experience working with the persons with major mental illnesses (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression) as a psych tech in inpatient/acute care settings is preferred.
• High School graduate or equivalent.
• Prior medical experience is preferred but not required.
• Must maintain professional boundaries with subjects.

Working Conditions

• Indoor, Clinic environment.
• Essential physical requirements include sitting, typing, standing, and walking.
• Lightly active position, occasional lifting of up to 20 pounds.
• Reporting to work, as scheduled, is essential.
• On-site work arrangement.

CenExel Clinical Research is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or status.