Psychiatric Technician

The psychiatric technician is an active participant of the patient care team who performs direct nursing tasks, observes and reports physical and behavioral symptoms. Assists in implementing the therapeutic activities and in planning and implementing treatment programs for patients.

- Require upon hire, and maintained throughout employment: Psychiatric Technicians must possess the physical ability to respond to psychiatric crisis situations. These situations require a rapid response, and may include the following necessary abilities: - Walking rapidly or running; The use of physical interventions, including safe physical/manual restraint of patients; Safe application of mechanical restraints to patients; Safe transition of patients to the seclusion room; Each psychiatric technician will receive training upon hire, and annually, that will include the physical, verbal, and non-verbal interventions required to manage psychiatric emergency situations. Each psychiatric technician will be required to successfully demonstrate the physical techniques required for a safe response to psychiatric crisis situations.
- Require one of the following: 1.) Florida Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or National licensure as an EMT; which must be maintained active during employment; or a minimum of one (1) year direct patient care experience in an inpatient psychiatric and/or behavioral healthcare setting. A Bachelor’s degree or higher in a social/human services program may be substituted for direct care experience; or 2.) Nursing students who are eligible for CNA exam are required to: a.) currently be enrolled in an accredited school of Nursing (RN/LPN); b.) have completed the first semester of clinical for ASN degree, completion of third semester for a BSN degree, or completion of first trimester for LPN and c.) cannot be currently licensed in the U.S. as a RN or LPN; or 3.) PCT-C – Provide validation of successful completion of an SMH approved program, and successfully obtain a Florida CNA license within 120 days of graduation. **Employees hired without the above licensure and/or by years of experience only prior to 11/11/19, are grandfathered in and will be provided the option of obtaining the stipulated licensure.
- Require a current Level 2 AHCA background clearance.
- Require Basic Life Support/CPR Certification within 90 days of hire.

- Prefer Psychiatric Technician training.

HS EQ: High School Diploma, GED or Certificate

FDL: Valid Driver's License

CBHT: Cert Behavioral Health Tech