Psychiatric Technician - PrairieCare

We are a psychiatric healthcare system, dedicated to providing mental healthcare for all, with seven locations in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, and two additional sites located in Rochester and Mankato. With a robust benefits package, career advancement opportunities, and great workplace culture, we value our employees and the work they do each day for our patients and families. Our services span the full continuum of care for patients, with a variety of roles and opportunities for job-seekers looking for more than a job, but a place where you can grow in your career.

The Psychiatric Technician is responsible for the care of patients ages 4-18 y/o experiencing psychiatric/mental health disorders. May work in partial hospital, residential, inpatient, or clinic  setting. Collaborates with a team in the observation, planning, intervention, and evaluation of care for the patients within the area assignment pursuant to the policies and procedures of PrairieCare.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Monitors child and adolescent patients’ daily functioning and assists in mental health symptom management
• Ensures safety of patients at arrival time by using a metal detector and safe belongings management/ storage. Ensures safety of patients and staff during programming by constantly monitoring the milieu for potential safety risks and reports issues appropriately.
• Effectively uses therapeutic approaches to manage milieus with a focus on reducing the use of restraint and seclusion when possible
• Completes documentation in a timely manner.
• Plans and facilitates psychoeducational groups with patients when scheduled during shift
• Responsible for creating a therapeutic and healing environment, providing the best patient experience and care.
• Maintains current competency in child/adolescent psychiatric/mental health nursing including the safe use of restraints and seclusion and effective de-escalation of patients using collaborative problem solving, therapeutic self, relationship-based care, and trauma informed practice.
• Maintains confidentiality in matters related to patients and families.
• Knowledgeable of and performs safe infection control practices including good hand hygiene, standard precautions, cleaning equipment and the environment. Monitors and helps to ensure tidiness and cleanliness in the patient care areas. Sanitizes program utensils, toys, and other containers/materials as needed.
• Oriented and educated in gender, cultural differences, and in age appropriate care for the assigned area
• Provides care in a non-judgmental, non-discriminatory manner that is sensitive to the patient’s developmental age and to the patient’s and family’s diversity, preserving their autonomy, dignity, and rights.
• Monitors own level of expertise continuously using ongoing self-assessments. Collaborates with team, seeks timely advice, and gives and always accepts feedback to ensure safe patient care

Department/Program Specific: Inpatient and PHP

• Works under the direct clinical supervision of the RN and performs tasks delegated by the RN.

• Requires knowledge of mental health gained through a minimum of 1 year experience through academic college or university education in behavioral sciences, and/or by equivalent study and/or experience.  High school graduate required.  Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Preferred 6 months previous experience in a mental health setting with pediatric population.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to communicate and make safe judgement calls in stressful situations.
• Ability to multi-task, use time efficiently and prioritize appropriately.
• Ability to communicate in a professional manner in both verbal and written format and model a positive teamwork attitude.
• Interpersonal skills: Ability to maintain confidentiality, remain open to other’s ideas and exhibit willingness to try new things.
• Must have basic computer skills using Microsoft Office products and EHR
• Ability to react quickly and calmly as part of a team to handle volatile and potentially emergent situations
• Ability to intervene in pre-crisis or crisis situations by utilizing de-escalation techniques, limit setting, and the use of least restrictive interventions
• Knowledgeable of the Joint Commission standards for restraint/seclusion use
• Display a professional attitude in all aspects of their performance
• Ability to smoothly and rapidly shift between dissimilar tasks
• Ability to make effective and timely decisions while in stressful situations and circumstances
• Quality management—the individual looks for ways to improve and promote quality and demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.

PrairieCare is a psychiatric healthcare system experiencing rapid growth in the Twin Cities and southern Minnesota. With multiple sites across the metro, including locations in Rochester and Mankato, PrairieCare has quickly grown to become one of Minnesota’s largest providers of mental health services to children, adolescents, adults, and their families.

PrairieCare does not discriminate against any person based on race, color, national origin, disability, or age in admissions, treatment, or participation in its programs, services, activities, or employment. PrairieCare is an Affirmative Action Employer/Equal Opportunity Employer supporting Veterans, Disabled, and other protected individuals and is committed to a diverse workforce.

PrairieCare is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunity, including providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with a disability.  Applicants with a physical or mental disability who require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process please email hr@prairie-care.com for assistance.

Offers of employment from PrairieCare are conditional and contingent upon successful clearance of all background studies.