Psychiatric Technician

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System; Sarasota Heights (FL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

The psychiatric technician at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System's Behavioral Health IP department participates in patient care, performing direct nursing tasks, observing symptoms, and reporting changes to the care team.

You will assist in implementing therapeutic activities and help plan and implement treatment programs for patients, ensuring safety and collaboration with other staff.

Qualifications

• Must be able to respond to psychiatric crisis with rapid, safe interventions.
• CNA/EMT licensure or direct inpatient care experience required; RN/LPN pathway noted.
• Background clearance and BLS/CPR certification required within specified timelines.

Responsibilities

• Perform direct nursing tasks as part of the patient care team.
• Observe and report physical and behavioral symptoms to supervisors.
• Assist in implementing therapeutic activities and treatment plans.

Skills

Crisis response

Direct patient care

Behavioral health

Team coordination

Education

High School Diploma

Florida CNA or EMT license

Level 2 AHCA background clearance

BLS/CPR certification

Job description

Department

Behavioral Health IP

Job Summary

The psychiatric technician is an active participant of the patient care team who performs direct nursing tasks, observes and reports physical and behavioral symptoms. Assists in implementing the therapeutic activities and in planning and implementing treatment programs for patients.

Required Qualifications

• Require upon hire, and maintained throughout employment: Psychiatric Technicians must possess the physical ability to respond to psychiatric crisis situations. These situations require a rapid response, and may include the following necessary abilities: - Walking rapidly or running; The use of physical interventions, including safe physical/manual restraint of patients; Safe application of mechanical restraints to patients; Safe transition of patients to the seclusion room; Each psychiatric technician will receive training upon hire, and annually, that will include the physical, verbal, and non-verbal interventions required to manage psychiatric emergency situations. Each psychiatric technician will be required to successfully demonstrate the physical techniques required for a safe response to psychiatric crisis situations.
• Require one of the following: 1.) Florida Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or National licensure as an EMT; which must be maintained active during employment; or a minimum of one (1) year direct patient care experience in an inpatient psychiatric and/or behavioral healthcare setting. A Bachelor's degree or higher in a social/human services program may be substituted for direct care experience; or 2.) Nursing students who are eligible for CNA exam are required to: a.) currently be enrolled in an accredited school of Nursing (RN/LPN); b.) have completed the first semester of clinical for ASN degree, completion of third semester for a BSN degree, or completion of first trimester for LPN and c.) cannot be currently licensed in the U.S. as a RN or LPN; or 3.) PCT-C - Provide validation of successful completion of an SMH approved program, and successfully obtain a Florida CNA license within 120 days of graduation. **Employees hired without the above licensure and/or by years of experience only prior to 11/11/19, are grandfathered in and will be provided the option of obtaining the stipulated licensure.
• Require a current Level 2 AHCA background clearance.
• Require Basic Life Support/CPR Certification within 90 days of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefer Psychiatric Technician training.

Mandatory Education

HS EQ: High School Diploma, GED or Certificate

Required License and Certs

FDL: Valid Driver's License

Preferred License and Certs

CBHT: Cert Behavioral Health Tech

Employment Screening Requirements

As part of Sarasota Memorial Health Care System's commitment to keeping people safe, all individuals providing care to vulnerable populations are required to undergo background screening through The Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse. https://info.flclearinghouse.com/