Psychiatric Assistant Grade D

Clerical and Technical generic job description

Family: Clinical
Job Code: 535

Representative duties:

Implements patient treatment plans and selects patient activities
Monitors and assesses patient progress to ensure that patient treatment objectives are met. Records and reports patient information
Provides for the safety of patients. Orients patients to floor. Escorts patients. Monitors activities of visitors. Performs personal body and room searches. Assists with crisis intervention. May physically restrain patients
Instructs patients in basic living, interpersonal and socialization skills
Attends meetings. May assist in conducting group therapy sessions for patients
Performs additional functions incidental to clinical activities

The job duties listed above are representative and characteristic of the duties required and the level of the work performed in the job title. The duties will vary from incumbent to incumbent in the job title.

Required knowledge:

Advanced knowledge, college-degree; substantial knowledge in a specialized field; substantial knowledge in a broader field of learning
Limited acquaintance with business, accounting or commercial procedures
Limited knowledge of the University organizational policies and procedures generally; detailed knowledge of a narrow area of University rules and procedures

Required skills:

Extracts and compiles a range of data from written sources, from individuals by asking questions, or from one or several given databases, limited interpretation of data
Use of one or several standard reference works
Files already labeled material using a straightforward alphabetical or chronological system
Screens complex, technical or specialized literature for referral
Composes and proofreads routine formal letters or memoranda for internal or external circulation
Occasional use of more complex machines, such as word processors or personal computers

Office and administrative skills:

Keyboards letters, memos and other moderately complex material
Enters and retrieves data from semi-finished source documents on a personal computer, requiring both some interpretation of the source document and a basic understanding of software parameters
Schedules and coordinates appointments
Advises, screens, and refers callers and visitors

Experience, education, and formal training:

Six years of related work experience, four of them in the same job family at the next lower level, and high school level education; or four years of related work experience and an Associate degree, or little or no work experience and a Bachelor degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of experience and education

Complexity and organization:

Wide variety of complicated job tasks requiring coordinating numerous processes/methods
Often coordinates or organizes the work of others

Interpersonal relations:

Ongoing involvement outside the immediate unit
Offers or obtains specialized information and provides assistance on general matters
Understands and evaluates what is being said and responds with complex answers that may take time to give

Supervisory guidelines:

Work may or may not be reviewed
Supervisor and incumbent plan, assign and schedule work jointly
Instruction provided only in new situations, methods, procedures that are not clearly related to existing tasks and duties

Independent judgment:

Established procedures/policies govern many work situations
Regular exercise of independent judgment or initiative
Problems solved by choosing solutions from among several alternatives that are not necessarily governed by established procedures

Leadership responsibility

Occasionally provides work guidance or orientation for non-routine procedures/ policies
Sometimes distributes and monitors work

Impact and consequence of error:

Work affects outside immediate work unit, but rarely outside the University
Errors are somewhat difficult to recognize and correct and can cause considerable harm or financial loss to individuals, departments and the University or to other individuals and groups

Working conditions:

Ongoing possibility of safety risks
Regular multiple or conflicting demands, time pressures, deadlines, or emergencies
Regular sustained concentration
Some physical effort or dexterity

Example 1

General purpose:

The psychiatric assistant performs routine patient care duties and selected non-professional services under the direction and supervision of the nurse, case/program coordinator or appropriate designee.

Essential duties of position:

Provide care based on the patient’s individual Treatment Plan (standardized throughout the hospital) under the supervision of the nurse or case/program manager
Assist in maintaining a safe, therapeutic environment that respects patient’s rights. Assist with admissions, discharges and transfers of patients
Assist patients with/provide information pertaining to daily living functions such as personal hygiene, laundry, care of living quarters, shopping, preparing and consuming meals and transportation needs
Follow hospital and unit safety procedures. Intervene as necessary to decrease panic of disturbed patients and may have to physically restrain patients in violent or explosive situations where suicidal, homicidal, or assaultive behavior is expressed
Collect specimens and vital signs and weigh patients as indicated on patient’s Individual Treatment Plan
May participate as a co-leader and provide coverage for small and large therapy groups under the supervision of the nurse, case/program coordinator or appropriate designee
Participate in staff development and performance appraisals; attend hospital and program staff meetings

Education and training:

Six years of related work experience, four of them in the same job family at the next lower level, and high school level education; or four years of related work experience and an Associate degree; or little or no work experience and a Bachelor degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of experience and education. If candidate does not have a BA in related field, experience must include working with the mentally disturbed

Skills and abilities:

Must be able to physically lift patients and assist in restraining emotionally disturbed patients in crisis situations
Offer contingent on successful health screening

Example 2

General purpose:

Under the direct supervision of Child Psychiatric Unit school staff, administer and score brief psychological and educational assessments and assist with instruction of Child Psychiatric Inpatient Unit students.

Essential duties of the position:

Under the direct supervision of school staff, perform brief educational and psychological testing of students by administering and scoring psychological and educational assessments
Serve as teacher’s assistant within a special educational setting. Assist teacher with educational instruction within a small classroom setting. Provide classroom instruction to students who are both inpatient and day treatment
Assist teacher with management of classroom behavior of students. Use point chart, positive reinforcement, and other methods to keep classroom behavior under control

Education and training:

Six years of related work experience, four of them in the same job family at the next lower level, and a high school level education; or four years of related experience and an Associate degree; or little or no work experience and a Bachelor degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of experience and education
Experience working with children
Preferred: Work or volunteer experience with children and adults in a school, special education, or a mental health setting; some college or a degree in special education or psychology

Skills and abilities:

Excellent communication skills with both children and adults. Well-developed sensitivity to confidential issues
Flexibility and ability to work well with co-workers and ability to accept supervision
Offer is contingent on successful completion of FBI and criminal records check