Psychiatric Technician, PRN- Psych Tech YRT

University of Utah Health; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Healthcare benefits starting day one

401(k) retirement plan

Work environment that values learning

Job summary

University of Utah Health in Salt Lake City seeks a dedicated Psychiatric Technician to provide safe, therapeutic care in a psychiatric unit. You will assist with admissions, orient patients and families, and collaborate with nurses to support recovery and safety.

Working as part of an interdisciplinary team, you will help with group activities, discharge planning, and training activities. This role emphasizes compassionate care, a supportive environment, and commitment to patient well‑being.

Qualifications

• Six months of behavioral health or direct patient care experience.
• Ability to respond to crisis situations and support patients.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist with maintaining a safe, hazard-free environment and document patient behavior.
• Assist with admission of new patients and assess routine information.
• Orient patients and families to facility policies and procedures.
• Escort patients to appointments using therapeutic interventions to ensure safety.

Skills

Adverse reaction recognition

Crisis response

Group facilitation

Communication skills

Crisis intervention

Education

Six months behavioral health experience

Job description

Overview

As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission. EO/AA

Overview

As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission. EO/AA This position provides a safe, supportive, and therapeutic environment for psychiatric patients and assists with the provision of basic patient care needs. Corporate Overview: The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is nationally ranked and recognized for our academic research, quality standards and overall patient experience. Our five hospitals and eleven clinics provide excellence in our comprehensive services, medical advancement, and overall patient outcomes.

Why join University of Utah Health?

• Competitive pay


• Healthcare benefits starting on day one


• 401(k) retirement plan


• A work environment that values dedication, learning, and work-life balance

Benefits Overview: https://employment.utah.edu/benefits/

Parking Information: https://commuterservices.utah.edu/

Join our team and grow your career with us. Learn more about upcoming opportunities and events at uofuhealth.org/jobfairs.

Responsibilities

• Assists with maintaining 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.


• Performs or assists with the admission of new patients by gathering routine information for nursing assessment, searches patients and personal effects for contraband, documents personal effects and other appropriate information.


• Orients the patient and patient's family to the facility and the policies and procedures.


• Escorts the patients to off-unit appointments and activities using therapeutic interventions to ensure the safety of the patient, hospital staff, and other University patients and visitors.


• Assists with providing a therapeutic milieu for patients by encouraging patients to participate in recreational activities and group therapies.


• Assists with supportive therapy for select patients by leading activity and conversation groups.


• Assists in the development of patient behavioral contracts.


• May function as a preceptor to new Psychiatric Technicians and assists level staff.


• Assists with the unit's training and quality assurance programs. Provides an annual educational in-service to co-workers.


• 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 assists the primary Registered Nurse with the development, evaluation, and revision of patient care plans.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Ability to recognize when a patient is having an adverse reaction to medication and report it in a timely manner to the Registered Nurse.


• Ability to assess a patient that can possibly hurt himself/herself and others and report this information to the Registered Nurse, and has the ability to assist with restraints and seclusion.


• Interpersonal skills to acquire the trust of the patients and respond appropriately in a crisis situation.


• Ability to utilize the principles of group dynamics when co-leading a group to facilitate the development of social, behavioral, and communication skills among group members.


• Knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.


• Knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.


• Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skill.

Qualifications

• Six months of behavioral health or direct patient care experience; may include CNA, MA, HCA, Teacher’s aide or assistant.

Licenses Required

• Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system. The eCredential is to be obtained within 30 days of hire.


• Additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.

Qualifications (Preferred)

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Employee must be able to meet the following requirements with or without an accommodation.

• This position involves intensive work that may exert up to 100 pounds and may consistently require lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling or otherwise moving objects, such as medical equipment, or patients while providing care in a psychiatric setting. Workers in this position may be exposed to infectious diseases.

Physical Requirements

• Carrying


• Climbing


• Color Determination


• Crawling


• Far Vision


• Lifting


• Listening


• Manual Dexterity


• Near Vision


• Non Indicated


• Pulling and/or Pushing


• Reaching


• Sitting


• Speaking


• Standing


• Stooping and Crouching


• Tasting or Smelling


• Walking

Upon selection, candidates must complete all required pre-employment requirements, including reference checks, a background check, drug screening, and required immunizations.