Per Diem Psychiatric Technician, Nights

Job description

To ensure excellence of patient care under the direct supervision of the nurse, the Psychiatric Technician compliments the nursing process by assisting in the individualized care of patients.
Shift Requirements :
• Shift Hours: 7:00pm - 7:00am
• At least four shifts per month required, scheduled on an as-needed basis.

Duties/Responsibilities:
• Assists the nurse with the collection of assessment data.
• Reports ongoing observation of patient behavior to the nurse.
• Communicates problems identified by patient and/or family to the nurse.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care or interaction appropriate to the patient population served by the assigned unit and the ability to assess and interpret age appropriate data about the patient's status in order to identify age-specific needs and provide the care needed.
• Maintains cooperative, ongoing communication with nurse and interdisciplinary health team members.
• Documents observations and patient behavior, e.g. checklists and Group Notes, Nursing Flow Sheets.
• Assists nurse in identifying patient care goals, development/revision of care plans, and the formulation of treatment plans.
• Assists the nurse in the implementation and evaluation of interventions.
• Implements procedures according to established Standards of Practice and policy and procedure.
• Demonstrates thoroughness and accuracy in performing baseline vital signs, i.e., height, weight, N.P.O.m CIWA/COWS and identify and report to staff nurse results out of the normal range.
• Collects, labels and transports specimens in a safe and accurate manner.
• Observes patients on special precautions (e.g., constant observation, special observation, camera observation, seclusion/restraint) according to policy and procedure.
• Assists in the implementation and evaluation of group programs with patients and patient's ability to perform Activities of Daily Living.
• Escorts patients to program, appointments, library, etc.
• Actively conducts several groups each day (i.e., Wrap Up Group, Goals Group, Leisure Activities Group, Movement Group)
• Identifies patient safety needs, ligature risks, and unsafe situations in the milieu and reports them to the nurse.
• Assists in orienting patients to the milieu, Patient's Bill of Rights, scheduled program and unit rules/routines.
• Demonstrates thoroughness and accuracy in performing patient checks and ligature checks every 15 minutes as well as room checks.
• Intervenes in a safe and therapeutic manner with escalating and aggressive patients.
• Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness in assisting team members in White, Red, and Blue Alerts, including CPR.
• Assists with evaluation of patient outcome, institutes corrective action and follow-up.
• Participates in staff meetings and is responsible for being aware of administrative and clinical issues.
• Assists in orientation with new Psychiatric Technicians and Volunteers.
• Maintains a consistent and reliable presence in assigned work areas by reporting to work on time, adhering to scheduled hours, and demonstrating dependable attendance to ensure operational and staffing needs are met.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities within the scope of a technician, as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:
• Must have the ability to function optimally in a stressful environment, and the ability to remain calm in emotionally charged situations.
• Must be able to speak and write fluently in the English language.
• Demonstrates a commitment to continued learning.

Education and Experience:
• High school diploma required, bachelor’s degree preferred.
• CPR BLS certification

Compensation and Total Rewards:
• Base hourly rate range: $27.00/hr, with applicable shift differentials. Base hourly rate will take into consideration a number of factors including but not limited to the candidate's relevant skills, experience, education, training, and demonstrated job-related knowledge, as well as internal equity and business needs.
• Per diem employees are eligible to accrue paid sick time in accordance with Connecticut's paid sick leave law. In addition, per diem employees are eligible for the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and participation in the 401(k) retirement savings plan. Benefits are subject to plan terms, eligibility requirements, and organizational policies.

Silver Hill Hospital (“SHH”) is fully committed to equal employment and advancement opportunities for all present employees as well as for applicants in all phases of the employment process (recruitment, hiring, assignment, conditions of employment, compensation, benefits, training, promotion, transfer, discipline and termination). Therefore, except in any cases of bona fide occupational qualification or need, SHH will act without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, status as a protected veteran, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, past/present history of mental disorder, intellectual disability, physical or learning disability, genetic information or any other characteristics protected by applicable law, (unless it is shown by supervisory personnel that a disability prevents performance of the work involved or may result in undue hardship) in all aspects of the employment process and relationship. This policy is based on the understanding that an applicant is able to handle the job requirements. Employment decisions will be based on merit, qualifications and abilities.