Psychiatric Technician I, PRN (3 pm -11:30 pm)

About Us:

Each of CenExel’s research sites specialize in Phase I to Phase IV clinical trials. Our Centers of Excellence comprise some of the most well respected and long-standing research facilities in the country. Specialty areas of research across our sites include Psychiatry, Acute Post Op Pain, Asian Bridging, Dermatology, GI, and Neurology. Each of our Centers of Excellence has tremendous experience and expertise in complex early phase trials, and all our sites have in-patient capability. We focus on quality people, teamwork, and highly experienced clinical research managers with a history of success.

Schedule: PRN, 3 pm - 11:30 pm. 

Job Summary:

The psychiatric technician position involves direct contact with psychiatric patients participating in clinical trials.  The psychiatric technician demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development appropriate to adults with psychiatric disorders and has basic competency in applying these principles when providing individualized care for specific research subjects.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties:

• Presents an understanding of components of care and how the role of psychiatric technician fits into the delivery of services.
• Demonstrates good communication and interpersonal skills as evidenced by professional collaboration with other members of the staff and direct contact with subjects during evaluations.
• Understands and observe CBH policies and carry out responsibilities in a competent manner.
• Completes responsibilities as delegated by the director of clinical operations, research coordinator or charge person for the shift.
• Assists in screening potential study subjects for various pharmaceutical company sponsored studies being conducted on the phase one unit.
• Interacts closely with clients to assist them in problem solving and to de-escalate subjects who become upset or belligerent.
• Completes a group during each shift worked. Topics of groups to be determined during discussion with the Director of Clinical Operations based on the needs of the milieu and the strengths of the psych tech.
• Assists clients in identifying barriers to completing the study and problem solve how to overcome these barriers.
• If properly trained - Performs orthostatic vital signs collection as well as EKG’s while maintaining subject dignity and privacy and reports abnormal results to the appropriate clinical staff – research nurse on duty, on call MD.
• Completes other study procedures such as weight/height, waist/hip circumference as specified on the appropriate flow sheets.
• Communicates appropriately with subjects while assisting them with ADL’s, supplying them with cigarette breaks as allowed in the protocol.
• Provides the subjects with meals and snacks as allowed in the study, ensuring subjects adhere to the protocol specific dietary and smoking restrictions.
• Assists with nightly room and equipment checks.
• Dispenses medications as instructed by MD or Medication Administration Record. Communicates with MD in person or over the phone to receive PRN or STAT medication changes as needed for subjects.
• Gather past/present medical and psychiatric history from subject’s current psychiatrist and last hospitalization by interviewing subject.
• Assist with the collection of study data as required by the study protocol, specifically the CBH screening form, admission forms and release of information.
• Communicate frequently with PI, sub-investigators and Pharmaceutical company representatives as appropriate.
• Other duties as instructed by supervisors, including but not limited to: Inventory and purchase of Arts & Crafts materials, games and portable electronic equipment.
• Assumes other duties and responsibilities as assigned. The above responsibilities are a general description of the level and nature of the work assigned to this classification and are not to be considered as all inclusive.

Education/Experience/Skills:

• Must be able to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
• Experience working with the persons with major mental illnesses (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression) as a psych tech in inpatient/acute care settings is preferred.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology or related field is preferred.
• Prior research experience is preferred but not required.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel.

Working Conditions

1. Indoor, Clinic environment.
2. Essential physical requirements include sitting, typing, standing, and walking.
3. Lightly active position, occasional lifting of up to 20 pounds.
4. Reporting to work, as scheduled, is essential.

CenExel Clinical Research is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or status.