Psychiatric Technician

About the role

The Psychiatric Technician works under the direction of a Psychiatric Registered Nurse or designee at the Douglas County Community Mental Health Center (CMHC). The role provides basic nursing care and meets the needs and comfort of patients in line with the center's policies and procedures. Pay is $22.56-$28.51 per hour.

Key responsibilities

• Perform clinical activities based on each patient's treatment plan and observe psychosocial interactions, reporting changes or abnormal behaviour to the supervisor.
• Obtain, document and chart vital signs and other data such as height, weight and BMI.
• Supervise patients' personal care routines, assist with transfers using proper body mechanics, and help obtain specimens.
• Monitor patient nutrition, recording caloric intake and output.
• Participate in patient admissions, including paperwork, photos, belongings and orientation of patient and family.
• Engage patients empathetically to build therapeutic relationships, de-escalate situations and foster therapies such as goal setting, group and recreational activities.
• Perform housekeeping activities and follow infection control procedures (hand washing, isolation, universal precautions).
• Attend shift reports, monitor the CCTV panel and safely operate a motor vehicle when needed.

Required profile

• High school diploma or equivalent; equivalent education and experience may substitute on a year-for-year basis.
• CPR and Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training within 6 months of hire.
• Pre-employment criminal record check, conditional offer drug screen and physical assessment required.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, push 35 pounds, pull 75 pounds over 7 feet, and exert 65 pounds of grip strength; work involves potential exposure to biohazards and risk of injury from aggressive patients.
• Shift work in a secure psychiatric facility, with possible days, weekends, holidays, overtime and emergency call-outs.