Patient Care Technician; PCT, PCA, Psych; ED Behavioral Health

Patient Care Technician (PCT, PCA, Psych) - ED Behavioral Health

Work where every moment matters. Every day, more than 40,000 Hartford Health Care colleagues come to work with one thing in common:
Pride in what we do, knowing every moment matters here. We invite you to become part of Connecticut's most comprehensive healthcare network as a Patient Care Technician. Join us at Backus Hospital as we live our values every day. As part of Hartford Health Care we create a better future for healthcare in Connecticut and beyond. By embodying these values we have become nationally respected for patient care and most trusted for personalized coordinated care.

Job Summary:

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) in the Behavioral Health Emergency Department plays a vital role in supporting patients experiencing acute psychiatric or behavioral health crises. Working in a fast‑paced, team‑driven environment, the PCT provides direct patient care, assists with clinical tasks, and supports the interdisciplinary team in ensuring a safe, therapeutic, and compassionate care experience. The role requires strong communication skills, emotional resilience, and the ability to engage patients of all ages in crisis.

This entry level position performs in a high activity work environment with multiple priorities and necessitates flexibility in scheduling.

Key Responsibilities:

• Direct Patient Care
• Assist patients with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) including bathing, dressing, hygiene, eating, and mobility.
• Provide supportive care to children, adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients with varying behavioral health needs.
• Support fall prevention efforts, including monitoring, safe ambulation, and environmental safety checks.
• Assist patients experiencing substance use or withdrawal, offering observation, engagement, and support as directed by clinical staff.
• Clinical Support
• Perform and assist with clinical skills such as:
  Venipuncture Specimen and laboratory collection Point‑of‑care testing as required
• Document patient observations and care activities accurately and promptly in the electronic medical record.
• Behavioral Health Support
• Utilize Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) techniques to safely manage escalating behaviors through:
  Verbal de-escalation Therapeutic engagement Nonphysical intervention methods
• Provide ongoing patient observation, including performing 1:1 safety checks or continuous monitoring for high‑risk patients.
• Build rapport with patients to encourage trust, cooperation, and participation in care.
• Safety & Team Collaboration
• Actively support the Behavioral Health Emergency Department's mission to provide safe and compassionate care to individuals in crisis.
• Collaborate closely with nurses, providers, social workers, and security personnel.
• Participate in rapid response and emergency situations following unit protocols.

Qualifications:

Skills & Qualities

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced emergency environment
• Strong communication, empathy, and active listening skills
• Ability to remain calm in high-stress situations
• Physical ability to assist with patient mobility, safety interventions, and continuous monitoring
• Respectful, patient-centered approach with understanding of trauma-informed care principles
• Ability to demonstrate cultural sensitivity in all interactions with patients/families and co-workers.
• Must be able to read and understand oral and written instructions, and effectively communicate information in English.
• Flexibility to respond to changes in work schedules as necessary or as requested.

Preferred:

• High school diploma or GED
• Some relevant experience
• Current certified BLS Provider credentialed from the American Heart Association (AHA)
• Current CNA or EMT certification

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