Patient Care Technician - Behavioral Health (Nights)

As a Patient Care Technician - Behavioral Health at the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health, your primary responsibilities will involve providing both medical and psychiatric care to adult patients. This includes managing vital signs, conducting finger sticks, coordinating daily living activities, maintaining a safe environment, and supporting the nursing team in de-escalation efforts and managing patient behaviors to ensure a supportive therapeutic setting.

To become a Patient Care Technician - Behavioral Health at UM UCH, you need a high school diploma and must be certified by the Maryland State Board of Nursing as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Additionally, a current BLS certification is required. Previous experience in a hospital setting is preferred but not mandatory, as we value a compassionate approach and collaboration.

At UM UCH, as a Patient Care Technician - Behavioral Health, you’ll play a crucial role in supporting the nursing team by assisting with various patient care activities. You'll help maintain the therapeutic environment through safety-rounding, managing day-to-day care tasks, and contributing to the de-escalation of disruptive behaviors, thereby ensuring a calm atmosphere for recovery.

The Patient Care Technician - Behavioral Health position at UM UCH is primarily a night shift role. This means you will need to be adaptable and flexible with your availability to meet the changing needs of the hospital, including all shifts that might arise, which is essential for continuous patient care.

Yes, at UM UCH, we provide comprehensive training for new Patient Care Technicians - Behavioral Health. This training is crucial for helping you understand our systems, patient care protocols, and working effectively within our multidisciplinary healthcare team, enabling you to deliver high-quality care to our patients.

When responding to this question, it's important to share any relevant experiences you have, even if they are not directly in behavioral health. Highlight any situation where you've worked with vulnerable populations, focusing on your compassion, patience, and ability to remain calm under pressure.

You can emphasize your understanding of safety protocols and the importance of monitoring patient behaviors. Discuss how you would engage with patients to assess their well-being and describe specific actions you would take, like completing safety rounds and maintaining a clutter-free environment.

Discuss your strategy for managing conflicts, emphasizing de-escalation techniques and effective communication. Share specific examples where appropriate, focusing on your ability to remain calm, provide assurance, and redirect attention to maintain a therapeutic environment.

Express the importance of collaboration in a healthcare setting. Discuss how a Patient Care Technician contributes by providing essential patient data to nurses and other professionals, assisting with care delivery, and helping build relationships within the care team to enhance patient recovery.

Share any experiences you've had with reading and interpreting vital signs and discuss your training on this aspect of patient care. Emphasize your attention to detail and how you ensure that critical measurements are taken consistently and accurately.

Highlight your flexibility and willingness to adjust care strategies based on individual patient needs. Mention cultural competency and a person-centered approach that respects each patient’s preferences, values, and unique circumstances.

Demonstrate your knowledge of UM UCH's commitment to high-quality, integrated care. Discuss their focus on community health and how you share a similar vision, highlighting how your values align with their mission to create the healthiest community in Maryland.

Discuss your methods for time management and prioritizing patient care tasks. Explain that you would assess the needs of each patient while balancing immediate requirements, ensuring that urgent care needs are addressed promptly without compromising service quality.

Share examples of teamwork and mentorship by discussing how you would collaborate with new staff. Emphasize your willingness to share knowledge, assist in their orientation process, and provide guidance to help them acclimatize to the unit effectively.

Communicate your passion for helping others and your understanding of the critical role that mental health plays in overall well-being. Share personal anecdotes or motivations that inspire you to work in this rewarding but challenging field.