Psychiatric Technician - Inpatient Mental Health

Elite Staffing Network is seeking a Psychiatric Technician in support of Inpatient Mental Health at Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune, NC. 

* Excellent Compensation & Exceptional Comprehensive Benefits!
* Paid Vacation, Paid Sick Time, Plus 11 Paid Federal Holidays!

* Medical/Dental/Vision, STD/LTD/Life and Health Savings Account available!
* Annual CME Stipend and License/Certification Reimbursement!

* Matching 401K!

Work Schedule:
Sunday through Saturday, normally six 12.5 hour day or night shifts per two week period (including 30 minute uncompensated meal break). Will be required to work on Federal Holidays on a rotational basis.

Job Specific Details and Tasks: The duties for the HCW include but are not limited to the following:

Core Duties:
Conduct or assist in treatment and rehabilitation of patients. Perform initial basic assessment procedures including standardized psychological testing, clinical interviewing, mental status examinations, substance abuse evaluations, and psychological and nursing assessment.
Identify mental health and nursing diagnoses, and provide patient education.
Observe, monitor, record, and report patient's progress.
Conduct or assist in conducting group and individual counseling, therapeutic community, and other related milieu activities.
Institute precautionary measures to prevent patient injury or suicide.
Assist patients with nutritional, hygiene, and comfort measures.
Obtain and record vital signs.
Coordinate with other agencies regarding specified care, treatment, prevention, rehabilitation, and administrative functions. Contact military and community agencies to obtain collateral information. Explain and interpret mental health services to patients or others.
Assist in, or arrange patient referral to public, private, and military community agencies.
Prepare and maintain records and reports pertaining to specialty services.
Assist with care of individuals experiencing acute and post-traumatic stress reactions.
Prepare and maintain treatment records.

Additional Duties (5.1.f. Task 1): The specific duties for the HCW are as follows:

Regularly interface with staff and patients to assess needs and continuously improve the quality of service delivered.

Demonstrate sound psychiatric nursing theoretical and practical approaches in providing patient care.

Demonstrate a sound understanding and assists in the management of a therapeutic milieu; providing structure, social support, patient education, safety, and social skills training.

Monitor, escort, and/or act as a therapeutic participant in patient activities in the outpatient psychiatric clinic and outpatient programs.

Provide care for patients utilizing proper infection control and safety techniques as planned and/or ordered. Document per clinic policy and notifies the mental health provider in charge of any abnormal or unusual findings in a timely manner.

Utilize therapeutic assessment and interview skills to elicit accurate and concise accounts of the patients condition. Document patient care using proper terminology that is in accordance with MTF policy.

Utilize sound judgment and crisis intervention skills, including physical restraint, to prevent or reverse situations that may be potentially harmful. Follow command and clinic specific policies for Seclusion/Restraint, Elopement and Management of the Assaulted patient.

Exhibit a basic knowledge of psychotropic medications including actions, side effects and common dosages. Follow command policies and procedures for the administration and documentation of scheduled and PRN medications. Inform the mental health provider in charge of any errors, discrepancies, or adverse patient reactions.

Screen patients to determine presenting problems and priority of appointment. This may entail telephone triage or in-person evaluation. Perform basic assessment procedures, including initial screening evaluation and standardized psychological testing. Assist credentialed providers with identifying mental health diagnosis and treatment strategies, as well as providing patient education.
Assist in providing specialized treatment and rehabilitation of mental health patients. Assist in conducting individual and group therapy sessions. Observe, monitor, report, and record patient interaction and progress. Institute precautionary measures to prevent patient injuries due to suicide, homicide, or elopement. Perform verbal and manual restraint and apply mechanical restraints as needed.

Present or facilitate a variety of health and wellness programs, including stress management, suicide intervention, and smoking cessation. Conduct various programs in support of the clinic.

Coordinate with other base agencies and Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) regarding specialized care, treatment, and administrative functions. Contact military or community agencies to obtain collateral information. Explain and interpret mental health services and procedures to access care to patients and commands. Assist in or arrange for patient referral to other facilities for alternate level of care.

Provide care to mentally ill or emotionally disturbed patients and participate in rehabilitation and treatment programs.

Measure and record patient's general physical condition, such as pulse, temperature, and respiration, to provide daily information. Observe patients to detect behavior patterns and report observations to medical staff.

Co-facilitate prescribed individual or group therapy sessions as part of specific therapeutic procedures.

Minimum Qualifications:

Degree: Certificate.
Education: Graduation from an accredited Psychiatric Technician Program; or completion of an equivalent education and experience that meets the requirement of the American Association of Psychiatric Technicians or completion of education and experience as a behavioral science specialist/technician in the United States military and proof of having completed an Armed Forces course involving psychiatric technician training or civilian course from an accredited school in the care of behavioral health patients.
Experience:Possess a minimum of 1-year full-time experience within the preceding 2 years as a Psychiatric Technician in a mental health setting.

Certifications in addition to Basic Life Support (5.2.3) Possess current certification as a Psychiatric Technician by the American Association of Psychiatric Technicians OR possess evidence of completion of Military Psychiatric Technician Training or Equivalent OR possess an Associate of Arts degree in a behavioral science, or a bachelors degree in Psychology, or a degree in Sociology or behavioral science related field.

* Life Support Certification: Current AHA or ARC BLS Certifications.

* Security: Must possess ability to pass a Government background check/security clearance.