Psychiatric Technician
Company : Covenant Health
Location : Louisville, TN, 37777
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 11 January 2026
Overview
Psychiatric Technician, Peninsula Hospital
Full Time, 72 Hours Per Pay Period, Night Shift
Units Hiring:
- Unit B - Insight
- Unit B is an 87-bed unit, divided into two separate “Tracks.” Track 1 is a 44-bed area that cares primarily for adult patients with mood disorders and/or chemical dependency issues. Track 2 is a 43-bed area that cares primarily for adult patients with thought disorders and/or chemical dependency issues. Unit B is a busy and exciting area to work where you will be exposed to patients dealing with a wide variety of psychiatric conditions. Staff may also work on other units in the hospital, offering the opportunity to work with many different types of patients. The care team consists of physicians, therapists, discharge planners, registered nurses, psychiatric technicians, and others who work together to develop a comprehensive treatment outline and care plan. We have a great team on the unit who all work together to provide excellent care for our patients in a safe, therapeutic environment.This unit creates a 6-week schedule which is released two weeks before the schedule starts. Staff preferences are considered and may be accommodated when they align with the overall staffing needs of the unit and facility.
- Unit D - Progress Care
- The Men’s Unit is a 13-bed unit serving male adult patients. Patients treated on this unit are experiencing acute symptoms of their disease which require more intensive monitoring. The floor plan of the acute unit allows for this increased monitoring. This is an exciting unit where you will be exposed to patients dealing with a variety of psychiatric symptoms including depression, anxiety, and psychosis. Staff may also work on other units in the hospital, offering the opportunity to work with many different types of patients. The care team consists of physicians, nurse practitioners, therapists, discharge planners, registered nurses, psychiatric technicians, and others who work together to develop a comprehensive treatment outline and care plan. We have a great team who work together to provide excellent care for our patients in a safe, therapeutic environment. This unit creates a 6-week schedule which is released two weeks before the schedule starts. Staff preferences are considered and may be accommodated when they align with the overall staffing needs of the unit and facility.
- Unit F - Fresh Start
- The Child & Adolescent Unit is a 25-bed unit serving children and adolescents ages 4-18 who are dealing with attention-deficit, impulse control, self-destructive, emotional difficulties and/or other emotional or behavioral issues. Team members work closely with patients and their families/guardians through all phases of the patient’s brief stay to help interrupt any negative behaviors and begin the road to recovery. Staff may also work on other units in the hospital, offering the opportunity to work with many different types of patients. The care team consists of psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, therapists, discharge planners, registered nurses, psychiatric technicians and others who work together to develop a comprehensive treatment outline and care plan. Our goal is to provide excellent age-appropriate care for all our patients in a safe, therapeutic environment. This unit creates a 6-week schedule which is released two weeks before the schedule starts. Staff preferences are considered and may be accommodated when they align with the overall staffing needs of the unit and facility
Peninsula Overview:
Peninsula, a division of Parkwest Medical Center, has set a new standard for effective, innovative and caring mental health services in East Tennessee. With a combined total of more than 75 years of experience, Peninsula has helped thousands of people recover from disorders and dependencies, and lead healthy, positive and productive lives.
Offering both inpatient and outpatient services for children, adolescents and adults, Peninsula is a leader in the changing healthcare environment. The hospital is located in Blount County, with outpatient centers in Knox, Blount, Loudon and Sevier Counties. Additionally, Peninsula offers care specifically designed for seniors with co-existing psychiatric and medical conditions at the Senior Behavioral Center located at Parkwest Medical Center. Peninsula is truly committed to improving the health of the people and communities it serves.
Position Summary:
Responsible for quality patient care by providing supervision and guidance for the patients as well as maintaining a safe and therapeutic patient environment.
Recruiter: Kathleen Karnes || apply@covhlth.com
Responsibilities
- Provides proper supervision and guidance in the daily activities of the program as part of a patient care team.
- Responsible for maintaining a safe and therapeutic patient environment.
- Reports patient complaints and/or changes in the patient’s psychiatric and/or medical condition promptly to the Registered Nurse.
- Completes all necessary paperwork used in the daily operation of the program and documents in the medical record objective patient care in a competent manner.
- Understands and is able to implement all emergency policies and procedures and ensures that emergency restrictive devices are available on the unit each shift and in good working order.
- Works with the Nurse Manager and/or Nurse Supervisor, and/or the Team Leader Psychiatric Technician, and co-workers to structure and monitor the unit milieu. Reports problems in working with specific patients to the Registered Nurse and/or the Team Leader Psychiatric Technician.
- Participates in the training and orientation of new staff members as directed by designated organizational leaders.
- Oversees and provides feedback related to goals for patients with the help and supervision of the Registered Nurse.
- Performs and documents monitoring of patient activities on the milieu as well as any specialized observation needs.
- Monitors vital signs, collects urine specimens, and assists patients with the activities of daily living according to appropriate guidelines and policies and under the clinical direction of the Registered Nurse.
- Serves as an extension of Clinical Services/Physical Therapy departments to deliver therapeutic activities.
- Demonstrates and maintains competence in using small group dynamics, scheduled activities, and the therapeutic milieu to carry out the Treatment Plan for each patient as part of a patient care team.
- Uses small group dynamics to provide support and limits for the patients as part of a patient care team.
- Attends shift report and is prepared to share relevant information about the patients.
- Accompanies patients to other facilities for appointments, treatments, etc. as required.
- Maintains all necessary certifications and completes all mandatory assigned education in the specified time frames.
- Attends on regular basis staff meetings and development sessions in order to maintain and enhance job knowledge.
- Participates in facility committees and the design/implementation of patient care initiatives as directed by the Nurse Manager.
- Punctual and prepared to perform duties and responsibilities.
- Presents a professional image, both in appearance and delivery of service.
- Actively ensures a safe, therapeutic milieu through effective and collaborative unit management
- Communicates to supervisory staff all work-related issues, concerns and problems.
- Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards. Completes required education assignments annually. Works toward achieving goals and objectives and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Minimum Education:
None specified; will accept any combination of formal education and/or prior work experience sufficient to demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skill and ability needed to perform the essential tasks of the job, typically such as would be equivalent to a high school diploma or GED. Preference may be given to individuals possessing a Bachelor’s degree in a directly-related field from an accredited college or university. (Psychology, Social Science, Education, Sociology, Ethics, Health and some Humanities)
Minimum Experience:
One (1) Year prior experience in a behavioral health setting or a Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
Licensure Requirement:
None
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Frequently asked questions
Psychiatric technicians working night shifts at Covenant Health in Louisville, TN maintain patient safety by closely monitoring behaviors, promptly reporting changes, and collaborating with nurses to create a therapeutic environment. Their role is crucial in managing acute psychiatric symptoms during less staffed hours, ensuring continuous care and safety.
While no formal licensure is mandated locally, Tennessee employers, including Covenant Health, often prefer candidates with educational backgrounds in psychology or social sciences. Certifications in mental health first aid or crisis intervention can enhance job prospects for psychiatric technicians in this region.
Psychiatric technicians at Peninsula Hospital engage with patients experiencing a range of disorders such as mood disorders, chemical dependency, thought disorders, anxiety, depression, and psychosis. The diverse units, including adult and child/adolescent care, offer exposure to various psychiatric challenges.
Advancement paths often include pursuing further education in psychology or nursing, gaining specialized certifications, or transitioning into supervisory roles. Louisville's healthcare institutions like Covenant Health provide opportunities for growth through continued training and experience in behavioral health settings.
Covenant Health emphasizes multidisciplinary teamwork and comprehensive care plans, fostering a supportive culture. Their structured scheduling with staff preference consideration and exposure to varied patient demographics make it a unique and enriching environment for psychiatric technicians.
Psychiatric technicians at Covenant Health collaborate closely with nurses, physicians, and therapists, providing direct supervision and therapeutic support. Their role in monitoring, assisting with daily activities, and documenting patient progress directly influences individualized treatment plans and patient recovery.
Psychiatric technicians in Louisville typically earn between $32,000 and $42,000 annually, depending on experience and education. Covenant Health offers competitive compensation aligned with regional standards, reflecting the specialized skills required to manage diverse psychiatric patient populations.
Louisville's smaller community setting allows for closer patient interactions and a more intimate care environment. Unlike large cities, psychiatric technicians here may experience less competition and more consistent patient follow-up, fostering deeper therapeutic relationships within a supportive team.
Strong observational abilities, effective communication, empathy, and crisis management skills are critical. Familiarity with psychiatric symptoms, teamwork, and adaptability to varied patient age groups further enhance a technician's capacity to contribute meaningfully to patient recovery.
The demand for mental health professionals in Louisville is growing, fueled by increased awareness and expanded behavioral health services. Covenant Health actively recruits psychiatric technicians, reflecting regional efforts to address mental health needs with well-trained care teams.