Psychiatric Technicians and Nurses

About the job Psychiatric Technicians and Nurses

This is a PRN position that involves direct contact with psychiatric patients participating in clinical trials. Each PRN will be educated in their responsibilities as a psychiatric technician, which may vary from protocol to protocol.

The psychiatric technician demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development appropriate to adults with psychiatric disorders. Additionally, the technician demonstrates basic competency in applying these principles when providing individualized care for specific research subjects. The technician also demonstrates basic competency in providing invasive procedures as listed below.

• Present an understanding of the components of care and how the role of a psychiatric technician fits into the delivery of services.
• Demonstrate good communication and interpersonal skills as evidenced by professional collaboration with other staff members and direct contact with subjects during evaluations.
• Understand and observe the client, procedures, and guidance, and carry out responsibilities competently.

• Report to the charge person and work under their guidance; the charge person will delegate tasks and provide support for any questions or concerns.
• Interact closely with clients to assist them in problem solving and to de‑escalate subjects who become upset or belligerent.
• Conduct groups as needed per CRU schedule and the needs of the milieu and study participants.
• Assist clients in identifying barriers to completing the study and problem solve how to overcome these barriers.
• Perform orthostatic vital signs collection (if properly trained) and report abnormal results to the appropriate clinical staff, research nurse on duty, and on‑call MD.
• Admit and discharge study participants per policy.
• Complete other study procedures such as weight, height, and waist/hip circumference as specified on the appropriate flow sheets.
• Communicate appropriately with subjects while assisting them with ADLs, supplying them with cigarette breaks as allowed in the protocol.
• Provide subjects with meals and snacks as allowed in the study.
• Ensure subjects adhere to the protocol‑specific dietary and smoking restrictions.
• Assist with nightly room and equipment checks.
• Gather past and present medical and psychiatric history from the subject’s current psychiatrist and last hospitalization by interviewing the subject.
• Assist with the collection of study data as required by the study protocol, specifically the client screening form, admission forms, and release of information.

• Experience working with persons with major mental illnesses (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression) as a psych tech in inpatient or acute care settings is preferred.
• Prior research experience is preferred but not required.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word.
• Demonstrate good communication and interpersonal skills as evidenced by professional collaboration with other members of the staff and direct contact with subjects during evaluations.
• Understand and observe the client, procedures, and guidance, and carry out responsibilities in a competent manner.