Psychiatric Technician

Position Summary:

The Psychiatric Technician is an essential member of the interdisciplinary crisis services team, providing direct care, support, observation, and assistance to individuals experiencing behavioral health, mental health, and/or substance use crises. This role works primarily within GRAND’s Crisis Centers (Urgent Recovery Center (URC) and Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) level of care) and helps maintain a safe, welcoming, therapeutic and recovery-focused environment.

Working under the direction of clinical, operational, and nursing leadership, this position supports individuals throughout the crisis stabilization process by assisting with activities of daily living, monitoring individuals for changes in condition or behavior, supporting therapeutic interventions and programming, ensuring safety, completing required documentation, and communicating observations to the treatment team.

Psychiatric Technicians are expected to demonstrate compassion, professionalism, sound judgment, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to remain calm and responsive in a fast-paced crisis environment.

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS, AND EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or equivalent

Preferred Qualifications

• Current Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Registered Behavioral Tech (RBT), or Certified Medication Aide/Assistant (CMA) certification

• Previous experience in behavioral health, mental health, substance use treatment, crisis services, inpatient psychiatric care, emergency services, residential treatment, healthcare, or a related human services setting

• Previous direct-care experience with individuals experiencing acute behavioral health needs, for higher Psychiatric Technician job levels.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Must possess the ability to work effectively with individuals experiencing acute mental health, behavioral health, and/or substance use needs.

• Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with individuals served, families, and members of an interdisciplinary team.

• Ability to accurately observe, document, and communicate changes in an individual's behavior or condition.

• Ability to maintain professional composure and utilize good judgment in a fast-paced crisis services environment.

• Ability to learn and consistently utilize approved crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques.

• Basic level of proficiency in computer skills. 

• Proficient use of Eleos and other agency approved documentation technology as a required function of this position.

• Compassion and respect for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises

• Knowledge of trauma-informed and person-centered care

• Therapeutic communication

• Behavioral observation and recognition of changes in condition

• Proficiency in verbal de-escalation and crisis intervention skills

• Knowledgeable in situational awareness and safety

• Understands and practices professional boundaries with clients, staff and other members of the community.

• Exhibit skills in teamwork, interdisciplinary collaboration, reliability and accountability.

• Ability to complete accurate and timely documentation

• Adaptableto rapidly changing situations

• Exhibits the ability to emotionally regulate oneself and maintain professional composure.

• Ability to respect the dignity of every client’s rights, culture, and recovery choices.

In addition, must possess skill in working cooperatively and effectively with clients, staff, management, and other professional groups; in exercising mature judgment in dealing with people; in presenting ideas clearly and accurately; in reading and comprehending the English language; and in communicating effectively, both orally and in writing.

This role should have an expectation of core competencies in relation to individuals with co-occurring disorders.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position is responsible and held accountable for the following duties:

• Provide direct, person-centered support to individuals receiving services in the URC and CSU.

• Welcome and assist individuals entering crisis services while helping create a calm, respectful, and supportive environment.

• Observe individuals for changes in behavior, mental status, physical condition, mood, level of functioning, or safety concerns and promptly communicate observations to the appropriate clinical or nursing team member.

• Assist individuals with activities of daily living and basic personal care needs when appropriate.

• If qualified, obtain and document vital signs and other basic health information within the employee's training, competency, and assigned scope of responsibility.

• Support nurses and other clinical team members with routine care activities as assigned and appropriately trained.

• Assist with admission, transition, discharge, and movement of individuals throughout crisis services.

• Provide ongoing engagement, reassurance, redirection, and emotional support to individuals experiencing acute behavioral health symptoms.

• Utilize trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and person-centered approaches in all interactions.

• Apply verbal de-escalation and other approved crisis intervention techniques to support safety and reduce escalation.

• Maintain awareness of the unit environment and promptly respond to potential safety concerns.

• Conduct assigned safety observations and monitoring in accordance with program procedures and individualized service needs.

• Assist with therapeutic activities, groups, structured programming, and recovery-focused activities as directed.

• Encourage individuals to participate in their care, treatment planning, and recovery goals.

• Complete timely, accurate, objective, and professional documentation in the electronic health record and other required systems.

• Communicate effectively during shift reports, handoffs, interdisciplinary meetings, and other care coordination activities.

• Maintain the cleanliness, organization, safety, and readiness of the crisis unit and client-care areas.

• Follow infection prevention, medication safety, emergency response, confidentiality, and other organizational policies and procedures.

• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and protect the privacy, dignity, and rights of individuals served.

• Respond appropriately to behavioral health and medical emergencies in accordance with qualifications, training, and GRAND protocols.

• Work collaboratively with nursing, clinical, medical, peer, care coordination, and operations staff to provide integrated crisis services.

• Utilizes Eleos, the agency’s AI supported scribing tool, for eligible services. 

• Understands and promotes our Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) concept by providing or supporting community-based mental and substance use disorder services; advancing integration of behavioral health with physical health care; assimilating and utilizing evidence-based practices on a more consistent basis; and promoting improved access to high quality care.

• Performs other reasonably related duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor or other management as requested.

• Meet or exceed “satisfactory” expectations at any scheduled job performance evaluation.

• Regular and predictable attendance is essential and expected for this position.

Must perform the specific job duties as listed above to meet position expectations.

Job Level Responsibilities & Expectations

Employees in this rolemust have and maintain the following qualifications and perform the following responsibilities and expectations for their assigned job level:

Psychiatric Technician Level I (Entry/Developing Level)

• No professional certification is required at this level.

• Provides direct care and unit support while developing competency in GRAND's crisis services model, behavioral health observation, documentation, safety practices, and de-escalation techniques.

• Typically works with routine assignments under regular direction and seeks assistance when individuals demonstrate changes in condition, increased risk, or needs outside the technician's level of training.

Psychiatric Technician Level II (Basic Competency Level)

• Required qualifications: Certified Nurse Aid (CNA) OR Registered Behavioral Technician (RBT) certification OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Independently performs the core responsibilities of the Psychiatric Technician role and demonstrates consistent competency working with individuals experiencing behavioral health crises.

• Recognizes changes in individual presentation, appropriately escalates concerns, effectively utilizes de-escalation strategies, completes documentation, and contributes to effective unit operations and teamwork.

Psychiatric Technician Level III (Advanced Level)

• Required qualifications: Certified Nurse Aid (CNA) OR Registered Behavioral Technician (RBT) certification AND Certified Medication Aid (CMA) certification OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Serves as an experienced Psychiatric Technician capable of supporting individuals with more complex behavioral health and crisis stabilization needs.

• Demonstrates advanced competency in crisis response, therapeutic engagement, safety practices, observation, and interdisciplinary communication. 

• Can assist with orienting and mentoring newer Psychiatric Technicians and serve as a resource to team members during challenging situations.

Psychiatric Technician Level IV (Senior/Lead Level)

• Required qualifications: CNA/RBT+ Certified Case Manager II (CM II) certification OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Functions as a highly experienced frontline resource within crisis services and models strong clinical support, professionalism, crisis intervention, teamwork, and operational awareness.

• May provide peer leadership, assist with onboarding and competency development, support workflow and unit coordination, and serve as a resource to Psychiatric Technicians I–III. Psychiatric Technician IV promptly involves licensed or supervisory staff when situations require clinical judgment, medical decision-making, or intervention beyond the scope of the technician.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• This position works primarily indoors in a 24/7 behavioral health crisis services environment.

• Must be willing and able to perform all job-related travel normally associated with this position (this may include transportation of clients).

• Travel expectations can vary from time to time based on coverage needs

• Due to various shift schedules, overtimemay be expected or required from time to time.

• Work schedule may include working days, evenings, nights, weekends, and/or holidays based on shift schedule and program needs.