Job Description:
The Critical Care Psych Technician functions as a clinical support partner in the Critical Care and Emergency Department settings. They assist the patient care team in performing various tasks and procedures for critically ill patients or patients requiring special skills or observation. Will serve in a 1:1 sitter capacity for patients in the Emergency Department requiring continuous observation due to behavioral health concerns, agitation, or risk of harm to self or others. This role is essential in supporting a safe environment for patients and staff, particularly during physical or chemical restraint protocols. They act under the direction and supervision of appropriate licensed clinical personnel.
Location: American Fork Hospital - American Fork, Utah
Department/Unit: Emergency Department
Entry Rate: $18.12+ (based on patient care experience)
Shift Details: PRN - As-Needed
Schedule: Variable - days, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays required
Benefits Eligible: No
*Shift differential pay for evenings, nights, weekends!
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide continuous 1:1 observation for assigned patients, ensuring safety and de-escalation support.
- Assist with basic patient care needs including hygiene, nutrition, toileting, and mobility.
- Monitor and document patient behavior, vital signs, and response to interventions.
- Support nursing staff during restraint procedures by observing for signs of injury, circulation issues, and physical needs per ED guidelines
- Communicate effectively with the care team regarding patient status and any concerns.
- Maintain a calm, therapeutic presence and utilize de-escalation techniques as needed.
Essential Functions
- Responds to patient care needs by answering call lights, assisting with hygiene care, obtaining vital signs, and communicating effectively with the care team.
- Performs 12-lead EKG duties and other tasks within the level of training and competency.
- Applies, checks, and documents restraints as directed by RN or physician.
- Assists with patient transfers, admissions, and discharges, ensuring safe patient handling.
- Orders and maintains office and patient care floor stock/supplies and performs unit secretary duties.
- Reports and records patient care findings and data in a timely manner and quickly secures assistance for changes in patient condition.
- Assists with emergency resuscitation, set-up for line insertion, and retrieval of supplies and equipment.
- Provides excellent customer service to patients and families, ensuring their requests are met promptly.
- Recognizes and completes unit and patient care needs with minimal supervision, collaborating with RNs and the interdisciplinary team.
- Adheres to infection prevention standards and promotes the mission, vision, and values of Intermountain Health.
Skills
- Patient Care
- Patient Observation
- Communication
- Life Support
- Restraint Procedures in support of nursing staff
- De-escalation Techniques
- Point of Care Testing
- Vital Signs
- Cardiac Monitoring
- Patient Information
- Resuscitation
- Teamwork
Minimum Qualifications
- Current C.N.A. Certification in state of practice.
-or-
- EMT or Paramedic Certification in state of practice.
-or-
- Medical Assistant (MA) Certification from an accredited Medical Assistant program OR one with which Intermountain Health has a valid affiliation agreement.
-and-
- Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS-HCP) certification upon hire
- High School diploma or GED If doing Point of Care Testing (in compliance with CLIA regulations).
- Effective written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- One (1) year of experience as a C.N.A., EMT, Paramedic, or Medical Assistant, or other applicable healthcare experience.
- Current enrollment in nursing school program with a flexible work schedule.
- Proficient in basic computer skills
Physical Requirements:
- Ongoing need for employee to see and read information, labels, assess patient needs, operate monitors, identify equipment and supplies.
- Frequent interactions with patient care providers, patients, and visitors that require employee to verbally communicate as well as hear and understand spoken information, alarms, needs, and issues quickly and accurately, particularly during emergency situations.
- Manual dexterity of hands and fingers to manipulate complex and delicate equipment with precision and accuracy. This includes frequent computer use and typing for documenting patient care, accessing needed information, medication preparation, etc.
- Expected to lift and utilize full range of movement to transfer patients. Will also bend to retrieve, lift, and carry supplies and equipment. Typically includes items of varying weights, up to and including heavy items.
- Need to walk and assist with transporting/ambulating patients and obtaining and distributing supplies and equipment. This includes pushing/pulling gurneys and portable equipment, including heavy items. Often required to navigate crowded and busy rooms (full of equipment, power cords on the floor, etc.)
- May be expected to stand in a stationary position for an extended period of time.
- For roles requiring driving: Expected to drive a vehicle which requires sitting, seeing and reading signs, traffic signals, and other vehicles.
Location:
Intermountain Health American Fork Hospital
Work City:
American Fork
Work State:
Utah
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
0
The hourly range for this position is listed below. Actual hourly rate dependent upon experience.
$18.12 - $23.55
We care about your well-being – mind, body, and spirit – which is why we provide our caregivers a generous benefits package that covers a wide range of programs to foster a sustainable culture of wellness that encompasses living healthy, happy, secure, connected, and engaged.
Learn more about our comprehensive benefits package here.
Intermountain Health is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
At Intermountain Health, we use the artificial intelligence ("AI") platform, HiredScore to improve your job application experience. HiredScore helps match your skills and experiences to the best jobs for you. While HiredScore assists in reviewing applications, all final decisions are made by Intermountain personnel to ensure fairness. We protect your privacy and follow strict data protection rules. Your information is safe and used only for recruitment. Thank you for considering a career with us and experiencing our AI-enhanced recruitment process.
All positions subject to close without notice.
