Patient Care Technician (PCT, PCA, CNA, Psych) - Emergency Department

Work where every moment matters.

Every day, more than 40,000 Hartford HealthCare 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 HealthCare 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.