Christopher Handy
Psychiatric Care Technician-Advanced
Tomah,WI
Summary
Psychiatric care professional with solid experience of 25 years in mental health support and patient care. Adept at managing crises, administering treatments, and ensuring patient safety. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving therapeutic results. Reliable, adaptable, and skilled in communication, empathy, and problem-solving.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Psychiatric Care Technician - Advanced
Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center
Mauston, Wisconsin
04.2025 - Current
- Enhance patient care by implementing individualized treatment plans, and monitoring progress.
- Participate in ongoing professional development, staying current on best practices and emerging trends within the field of mental health care.
- Document patient behaviors, reactions, and progress in medical records, maintaining confidentiality, and accuracy.
- Facilitate smooth transitions between care providers by preparing detailed reports on patient history and progress updates.
- Support patients' daily living needs, such as hygiene, nutrition, and mobility, for improved overall well-being.
- Deliver compassionate patient care, focusing on safety, comfort, and emotional support.
- Provide crisis intervention services, de-escalating volatile situations, and maintaining safety.
- Collaborated closely with unit staff with treatment plan implementation.
Crisis Intervention Worker
Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center
Mauston, Wisconsin
07.2017 - 04.2025
- Provided planning techniques and programs to identify, prevent, and manage crisis situations within the institution.
- Provided direct services to patients civilly committed under WI Chapter 971 and Chapter 980 laws.
- Supported treatment for competency patients facing crisis situations, including the Health Services Unit, Crisis Unit AD, Supportive Living Unit BB, and the Transitional Living Units.
- Provided consultation and training to the housing units, and other staff, regarding crisis management and prevention.
- Trained extensively to support patients in the development of protective factors and to model/encourage pro-social behaviors.
- Acted as a liaison between unit staff, treatment providers, other members of the patients' treatment team, and the health service unit to help ensure medical compliance.
- Knowledgeable about state statutes and codes regarding civil commitments for all facility populations.
- Extensively trained and certified in motivational interviewing (MI).
- Collaborated with patient treatment teams to develop individualized behavior management plans (BMPs), and provide training and staff mentoring regarding BMPs.
- Developed and facilitated treatment groups for all SRSTC's patient populations.
- Active member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, and Healthy Lifestyle Committee.
- Assisted with the use of force debriefings and reviews.
- Provided notification of discharge and dismissals to patient victims.
- Coordinated closely with healthcare professionals during medical emergencies resulting from a crisis situation, ensuring optimal care for affected individuals.
- Continuously updated knowledge of best practices in crisis intervention through participation in workshops, conferences, and relevant literature review.
- Conducted thorough assessments of clients'' needs, leading to targeted interventions and improved outcomes.
- Provided emergency response in crisis situations to diffuse tensions and prevent violence.
- Offered supportive counseling and crisis intervention to individuals in crisis.
- Collaborated with mental health professionals to coordinate comprehensive care for patients.
- Worked with family members to develop support networks and multifaceted coping techniques focused on patient needs.
- Maintained patient records to document assessment, treatment plans, and progress.
Human Services Program Coordinator
Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center
Mauston, Wisconsin
07.2015 - 07.2017
- Coordinated, implemented, and assisted the community re-entry program in conformance with the department's goals, treatment methods, and multiple disciplines.
- Active member of the multidisciplinary treatment team.
- Provided training, guidance, and role modeling of appropriate interactions with patients for the Psychiatric Care Technicians and other staff.
- Maintained and monitored a specific area of the facility for patients to practice independent living skills in preparation for community reentry. (LIFE Center)
- Scheduled and coordinated patient polygraph examinations for the supervised release patients in the community.
- Facilitated Community Re-Entry groups, including Court Overview, Home Maintenance, Technology, Coping with Re-Entry, and Healthcare.
- Developed and maintained patient Behavior Management Plans (BMPs) as well as their daily schedules.
- Assisted in the administration of neuro-psych testing to new patients that have consented to Sex Offender Treatment.
Psychiatric Care Supervisor
Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center
Mauston, Wisconsin
09.2008 - 07.2015
- Provided shift management of unit operations for the Skilled Care Unit and two secure housing units.
- Collaborated with social workers, recreational therapists, institution unit supervisors, medical staff, treatment facilitators, institution maintenance personnel, as well as many psychiatric staff to ensure a safe and secure, treatment-oriented environment.
- Provided direct supervision to 45 Psychiatric Care Technicians staff.
- Participated in the development and implementation of treatment plans and therapeutic activities for individual patient groups.
- Responsible for the implementation and coordination of DHFS health and safety policies.
- Co-facilitated a problem-solving group for cognitively limited patients.
- Co-facilitated a criminal thinking group for pre-treatment patients.
- Chairman of the Outside Order Work Group.
- Active member of the Property Committee, Video Review Committee, and the facilities Emergency Response Unit.
Skills
Behavioral management
Self-awareness
Mental health support
Motivational interviewing
Treatment management
Direct patient care
Care team collaboration
Behavioral support
Treatment Planning
Crisis management
Timeline
Psychiatric Care Technician - Advanced
Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center
04.2025 - Current
Crisis Intervention Worker
Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center
07.2017 - 04.2025
Human Services Program Coordinator
Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center
07.2015 - 07.2017
Psychiatric Care Supervisor
Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center
09.2008 - 07.2015
Similar Profiles
Jacob MonroeJacob Monroe
Secure Care Treatment Aide 2- Supervisor at OMH-Secure Treatment and Rehab CenterSecure Care Treatment Aide 2- Supervisor at OMH-Secure Treatment and Rehab Center
Pamela CregoPamela Crego
Secure Care Treatment Aide at Secure Treatment and Rehabilitation CenterSecure Care Treatment Aide at Secure Treatment and Rehabilitation Center
Brandie StewartBrandie Stewart
Mental Health Technician at Laurel Ridge Treatment Center(PRN)Mental Health Technician at Laurel Ridge Treatment Center(PRN)
Rebecca TawwaterRebecca Tawwater
Surgical Services Registered Nurse/Relief Charge Nurse at Hendrick Medical CenterSurgical Services Registered Nurse/Relief Charge Nurse at Hendrick Medical Center
Heather StorbeckHeather Storbeck
Specialty Insurance Agent at FCIS InsuranceSpecialty Insurance Agent at FCIS Insurance