psych techs working with nurses?

[Infofreak411]

I know on the psych floor the psychiatric technicians work under a RN and LPN and assist them with different duties.. What actually is it that the techs do and assist the nurses with?

[Jmira.BSN.RN]

In the 2 psych facilities Ive been in, the LPT (licensed psych tech) works the same as an LVN. No degree but definitely a license. Passing medications, organizing am group, and pt cares. We utilize MHWs for rounding and meals and vitals and milieu therapy. I love working with them

[BernR6]

So they usually have a bachelors in like psycjology and work directly under the nurse? And participates in counseling groups? Do they do vitals and stuff like that?

Sounds a lot like what a CNA does so why do they need a degree?

I'm a MHW/MHT at a hospital psych unit in PA. I think it depends on what the department wants the job description to include. Where I'm at, we are required to have a bachelor's in a psych related field with 3-5 years experience. Besides assisting nurses with patient care, doing rounding, running groups, vitals, etc., we needed the bachelor's so we can do reviews with the insurance companies to get patients pre-certified/authorized, doing MH assessments, charting daily notes, and sometimes filling in for the crisis workers in the ER. I think our boss's thought was that someone with a psych related degree likely to have more motivation to do the work, since we majored in that field. Because of the degree requirement, it also pays much better than places that require minimum of HS grad. I'm personally pursuing a career change to nursing, but not sure if I want to do psych nursing yet. It gives me great experience though with patient care...especially the gero-pscyh population that requires more of that type of patient care.

[pixiestudent2]

I worked at the facility where there were milieu therapist they were required to have a bachelors in psych, social work, or sociology. They also hired nursing students, and social science students, along with CNAs. They all do the same exact job, with the exception being that the MTs could run groups.

[Wardbr]

Hello MrChicagoRN

I am a Registered Psychiatric Nurse but have completed my degree abroad. From clinical placements and additional work as a psych tech, I will have about 9 years experience. I will be returning home to Chicago in the near future and plan to apply as a MHW or MHT while pursuing further education in order to apply for IL licensure. Any suggestions for this route into the mental health field in Chicago? Would greatly appreciate your advice.

[BirkieGirl]

In my facility the psych techs actually are required to have a BA in Psychology or Social Work. They don't function as nursing assistants in any way (no vitals, no chem-strips, no toileting, etc).

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

They're the ones actually on the floor with the patients 24hr a day. So mostly, they're the ones getting spit on, kicked and assaulted and doing most of the dirty work in general. They also do the expected tech duties like vitals, handing out meals, etc.

As a nurse you're #2 on the list for all these fun duties, but are going to spend a considerable amount of time behind a locked door prepping meds and charting.

I hope this is some kind of joke or maybe I took it wrong! At the psych facility where I work, we nurses are right there in the trenches with the floor staff. We are a team.

Hppy

[Heylove, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

For comparison, I wanted to add that here in Kansas City (Missouri) our techs make about $12-$14/hour, which is about $10 less per hour than new grad RNs. Only a high school diploma is required, but generally they have an interest in mental health whether becoming a tech is part of their professional growth and development or personal interest in a family member's (or their own!) mental health.

The techs are the eyes and ears of the unit, reporting to the RNs. Some of their tasks include: waking the patients, escorting patients to other units (gym, patio, cafeteria, exam rooms, ER,) leading groups (goals, nutrition, journaling,) vitals, intake, environmental/room checks, provide 1:1, assist with hygiene, laundry and 15 minute checks. I have worked a few shifts as a tech and it's absolutely exhausting. I love our techs more than anything!

[enigmatism]

It largely depends on facility. I work at an academic medical center with an acute inpatient psych unit. Our techs are CNA/PCA/PCT, so its a pretty short schooling requirement. The techs on my unit get vitals, record food intake/distribute meal trays, do all the q15 safety checks, and help the nurses with various requests from patients. They will also assist with any physical holds/restraint episodes if they're needed. They aren't allowed to do blood sugars or give meds or anything like that at my facility.

[needlesmcgeeRN, ASN, RN]

We have MHTs who are CNAs or STNAs (cannot remember which). They are AWESOME and INDISPENSABLE. No college degree required. They do a bulk of the direct care, 15 min checks, VSs, etc.