Psychiatric Technician (Mental Health Technician, Psych Tech)
Location: North Chicago, IL
Job Type: Federal
Company: Decypher
Category: Medical Services
Job Description Apply Now
Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of service members, veterans, and their families? Join Decypher as a Psychiatric Technician (also known as Mental Health Technician or Psych Tech) and play a vital role in supporting mental health and wellness. Decypher has been a trusted partner to the Defense Health Agency since 2008, providing healthcare professionals with opportunities where their expertise is valued and their impact is meaningful. Our mission is to deliver and support quality care for those who have served our country and their loved ones across the United States.
As a Psychiatric Technician (Mental Health Technician, Psych Tech), you will be integral to an outpatient psychiatric clinic environment, offering both clinical and administrative support. Your responsibilities will include assisting with patient screening, conducting basic assessments, supporting therapeutic interventions, participating in crisis management, and coordinating care in line with clinic policies and professional standards. This essential position ensures patient safety, accurate documentation, psychoeducational programming, and effective collaboration with providers and external agencies for comprehensive mental health services.
This full-time Psychiatric Technician (Mental Health Technician, Psych Tech) opportunity is based at the Lovell Federal Health Care Center. Working in this location offers the opportunity to serve a diverse population of military personnel, veterans, and their families, making a meaningful contribution to the community.
Psychiatric Technician (Mental Health Technician, Psych Tech) - Summary- Provide direct support to patients in an outpatient psychiatric clinic setting.
- Support the delivery of mental health services through clinical, administrative, and therapeutic interventions.
- Serve as a liaison between patients, providers, and external agencies to ensure continuum of care.
- Uphold Decypher’s mission to provide quality care for veterans, service members, and their families.
- Monitor, escort, and participate therapeutically in patient activities within outpatient programs.
- Deliver patient care using proper infection control and safety protocols, documenting per clinic guidelines and promptly notifying providers of abnormal findings.
- Screen patients to determine presenting problems and appointment priority, including telephone triage and in-person assessments.
- Perform basic assessment procedures, such as initial screenings and standardized psychological testing under supervision.
- Assist credentialed providers with identifying mental health diagnoses and treatment strategies, and provide patient education.
- Support specialized treatment and rehabilitation of mental health patients, including assisting in individual and group therapy sessions.
- Observe, monitor, report, and record patient interactions and progress, ensuring precautionary measures to prevent injuries.
- Apply verbal de-escalation techniques and utilize manual or mechanical restraints as necessary, maintaining certification in Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behaviors (PMDB).
- Present or facilitate health and wellness programs, such as stress management, suicide prevention/intervention, and smoking cessation.
- Coordinate with military and community agencies regarding specialized care, treatment, and administrative functions, including facilitating patient referrals.
- Measure and record patients’ physical conditions, such as weight, pulse, temperature, and respiration.
- Detect behavior patterns and report observations to medical staff to inform care plans.
- Co-facilitate psychoeducational sessions and independently lead educational groups.
- Schedule new and follow-up patient appointments according to clinic Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
- Competitive hourly compensation up to $26.00 per hour.
- Comprehensive health and welfare benefits package.
- Opportunities to work in a supportive, mission-driven environment with a focus on professional growth.
- Completion of an accredited Psychiatric Technician Program, or equivalent education and experience as recognized by the American Association of Psychiatric Technicians.
- Alternatively, completion of education and experience as a behavioral science specialist/technician in the U.S. military, including proof of psychiatric technician training or a civilian course from an accredited school in behavioral health care.
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
- Minimum of one year of experience as a Psychiatric Technician post-graduation.
- U.S. Citizenship is required for consideration.
- Demonstrates a strong commitment to patient safety, confidentiality, and quality care.
- Effective communicator with the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.
- Adaptable to dynamic clinical environments and able to respond calmly to crisis situations.
- Detail-oriented, with strong organizational and documentation skills.
- Passionate about supporting the mental health needs of service members, veterans, and their families.
- Physical requirements include the ability to lift 20-25 lbs independently and stand for extended periods.
- Certification in Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behaviors (PMDB) is maintained as part of ongoing professional development.
- Work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00am to 5:00pm, with onsite presence required.
- Decypher is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce (M/F/D/V).
If you are ready to take the next step in your mental health career, apply now for the Psychiatric Technician (Mental Health Technician, Psych Tech) position by clicking the job application button. Join Decypher and be part of a team dedicated to making a lasting impact on those who have served our nation and their families.