Take Action: End the misuse of Psychiatric Technicians as Nursing Coordinators
Patient safety and respect for professional licensure are at stake.
For too long, the State has assigned Psychiatric Technicians (PTs) to perform supervising duties as Nursing Coordinators (S17) at the Department of State Hospitals (DSH) and the Department of Developmental Services (DDS)—despite the fact that they are not licensed Registered Nurses (RNs). This practice places patient care at risk and undermines the essential role of RNs.
Add your name today
Help us end this dangerous and outdated practice and ensure that Nursing Coordinators are licensed RNs.
Why this matters
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Protecting patient safety: Only RNs are authorized to assess, plan, and delegate patient care. PTs play a vital role, but supervising RNs exceeds their legal scope of practice.
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Ensuring proper care: Patients have already been put at risk due to lack of proper coordination and training when new medical devices (such as G‑tubes or PICC lines) were introduced.
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Stronger, safer teams: PTs should continue as essential care team members—under RN supervision. Nursing Coordinators must be licensed RNs to ensure safe, integrated psychiatric and medical care.
This is about protecting our patients, supporting our coworkers, and ensuring RNs lead where licensure and expertise are required.
👉 Add Your Name: End the Misuse of PTs as Nursing Coordinators
hello I work at NSH and PT are signing my performance evaluation despite me being a RN. Also one SPT who works PREHIRE and vot IS floating me on my regular shift when he is working overtime and I’m post and bid.
I completely concur with your perspective. While psychiatric technicians are indeed dedicated professionals, their training primarily focuses on mental health, leaving gaps in critical areas such as medical-surgical nursing and critical care. This limitation undermines the holistic approach that is essential in nursing practice, as it restricts the ability to address the comprehensive needs of patients.
Thank you. This is long overdue.
Nursing coordinator and shift should be RN’s
The right leaderships and right medical professional and right structure this hospital needs.