"Psychiatric Care Technician- Float"

Scope of Position

Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University and OSU Harding Hospital are committed to enhancing the quality of care our patients receive. The Psychiatric Care Technician [PCT] functions as a member of a team of care providers cultivating a culture of collaboration, enthusiasm, and mutual respect. The team, consisting of the Staff Nurse [RN], Psychiatric Care Technician [PCT], the Unit Clerical Associate [UCA], and other interdisciplinary staff provide patient care and supportive services that are directed at achieving patient care outcomes, maximizing the patients involvement in his/her own care plan, improving service levels, reducing the length of hospitalization, and decreasing costs. Patients and their family will experience the benefits of patient-focused care through the integrated skills of all team members. Services provided include 24-hour inpatient care, outpatient, and partial hospitalization care for psychiatric patients.

Position Summary

The PCT is responsible for providing a variety of direct and indirect patient care activities, as supervised and directed by the RN. Care is provided in collaboration with the patient, family, and other members of the patient-focused care team. Overall responsibilities are to assist the team in meeting patient care needs. Under the direction and supervision of the RN, the PCT assists with maintaining unit operations in compliance with hospital and regulatory agency standards, and in accordance with the established Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University patient satisfaction philosophy.

The PCT is responsible for:

• Maintaining a therapeutic milieu.
• Reinforcing patient education.
• Maintaining safety.
• Emergency preparedness.
• Infection control.
• Information management.
• Reporting patients complaints to the patients assigned nurse.
• Implementing age-specific interventions.
• Reporting patient behaviors indicative of fall risk.

Technical skills include:

• Recording & transmitting EKGs, specimen collection, phlebotomy skills, and Accucheck.
• Applying therapeutic holds & restraint in physical crisis situations.
• Operating specialty beds, assistive equipment, and mechanical lifts and scales.
• The PCT performs clerical functions, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

High school graduate or equivalent education and experience required; Previous patient care experience in an acute care hospital setting preferred; Strong customer service, organizational and time management skills; Successful completion of PCA training course required after hire.