Psychiatric Technician
County Of Sonoma
Santa Rosa, CA
Full-time
Mental Health
Posted on January 13, 2023
The Department of Health Services seeks an experienced Psychiatric Technician for a full-time position with the Behavioral Health Division!
Starting salary up to $34.66/hour ($72,339/year), a cash allowance of $600/month, and a competitive total compensation package!*
- Facility Assignment Premium - 5% premium for hours worked in the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU)
- Shift Differential Premium - A premium may be available for qualifying hours worked on an evening shift or night shift
Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:
- Eligibility for a salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
- Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
- County paid 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
- An annual Staff Development/Wellness Benefit allowance of up to $500 and ongoing education/training opportunities
- County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
- Retirement fully integrated with Social Security
- May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment
About the Position
The County of Sonoma Department of Health Services (DHS) is seeking a licensed Psychiatric Technician to work in the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU). Psychiatric Technicians assigned to the CSU are responsible for providing specialized and mandated nursing services to individuals experiencing a psychiatric emergency such as:
The County of Sonoma Department of Health Services (DHS) is seeking a licensed Psychiatric Technician to work in the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU). Psychiatric Technicians assigned to the CSU are responsible for providing specialized and mandated nursing services to individuals experiencing a psychiatric emergency such as:
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Administering scheduled and emergency medications under the direction of a psychiatrist, and monitoring patients for side effects and responses, including vital signs and behaviors
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Documenting patients' behavioral health in medical records and providing compassionate, recovery-oriented client care
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Providing assistance with daily living activities, such as making beds and preparing meals
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Ordering and maintaining the inventory of psychiatric medications and medical supplies
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Performing crisis intervention, de-escalation, seclusion, and restraint services
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Assisting with maintaining client safety
What You Bring to the County
The ideal candidate for this positions will have a recovery-focus mindset, thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, and possess:
The ideal candidate for this positions will have a recovery-focus mindset, thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, and possess:
- Experience working in a custody or acute mental health treatment setting with adult and/or juvenile clients
- Some experience in a behavioral health setting, providing medication support services under the direction of a psychiatrist, preparing and dispensing medications, monitoring and assessing for medications effects and side effects, and maintaining medication inventory
- The ability to work within protocols focused on safety, security, and confidentiality
- Excellent communication skills and strong attention to detail
- The ability to work well as part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Knowledge of electronic health record systems and community resources
About the Crisis Stabilization Unit
The CSU's dedicated team of licensed mental health clinicians, psychiatric nurses, and psychiatrists provide crisis intervention, medication assessment, stabilization, general information, and referral services 24-hours a day, seven days a week for adults, children, and families experiencing a mental health crisis. The CSU provides up to 23-hours of supportive care, including medications for individuals in an acute mental health crisis. For those needing ongoing care, voluntary crisis residential services or inpatient hospitalization are arranged. Psychiatric Technician positions may also be assigned to other Behavioral Health programs in addition to those assigned to the CSU.
The CSU's dedicated team of licensed mental health clinicians, psychiatric nurses, and psychiatrists provide crisis intervention, medication assessment, stabilization, general information, and referral services 24-hours a day, seven days a week for adults, children, and families experiencing a mental health crisis. The CSU provides up to 23-hours of supportive care, including medications for individuals in an acute mental health crisis. For those needing ongoing care, voluntary crisis residential services or inpatient hospitalization are arranged. Psychiatric Technician positions may also be assigned to other Behavioral Health programs in addition to those assigned to the CSU.
*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can found in the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Memorandum Of Understanding (SEIU MOU) and our Employee Benefits directory.
This recruitment is being conducted to fill a full-time Psychiatric Technician position in the Department of Health Services. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, and extra-help positions as they occur during the active status of this list. Those who wish to be considered for future vacancies should consider applying to this recruitment. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future vacancies should consider applying to this recruitment. Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience: Any combination of education and work experience which would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed herein. Normally, this would include some experience working with clients who have behavioral health challenges.
License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.
Professional License: Possession of a current California license as a Psychiatric Technician. Psychiatric Technician license must be maintained as a condition of employment in this classification. Possession of current CPR and First Aid certifications is desirable.
License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.
Professional License: Possession of a current California license as a Psychiatric Technician. Psychiatric Technician license must be maintained as a condition of employment in this classification. Possession of current CPR and First Aid certifications is desirable.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Working knowledge of: psychiatric nursing theory and practice, rules, regulations and procedures; mandated client rights, confidentiality requirements for medical information; standard practices used in caring for behavioral health clients; the use, administration, and effects of narcotics and medicines; California laws governing treatment of involuntary clients; the effects and possible side effects of the major psychoactive drugs; the methods and techniques of de-escalation, seclusion, and restraint; the principles and techniques of individual and group counseling; principles of Trauma-Informed and Recovery-Oriented care.
Ability to: provide routine, psychiatric nursing care to behavioral health clients; observe and record clients' physical status and mental behavior; detect suicidal behavior; exercise patience, initiative, and judgment in recognizing symptoms indicative of adverse reactions; follow oral and written directions of a technical and professional nature in exact detail; maintain and interpret nursing records and reports; write progress notes to Medi-Cal standards; perform effectively in emergency situations; administer treatment plans and medications under direction; develop and maintain the trust and engagement with behavioral health clients; interact with clients and their families with empathy and compassion; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with other departmental staff and representatives of other agencies; prepare, interpret and maintain accurate nursing records and reports; occasionally restrain clients; stand and walk for long periods; work under psychological and physical strain; and lift or move heavy objects on a regular basis; maintain client rights and the confidentiality of information; and abide by established communications codes.
Ability to: provide routine, psychiatric nursing care to behavioral health clients; observe and record clients' physical status and mental behavior; detect suicidal behavior; exercise patience, initiative, and judgment in recognizing symptoms indicative of adverse reactions; follow oral and written directions of a technical and professional nature in exact detail; maintain and interpret nursing records and reports; write progress notes to Medi-Cal standards; perform effectively in emergency situations; administer treatment plans and medications under direction; develop and maintain the trust and engagement with behavioral health clients; interact with clients and their families with empathy and compassion; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with other departmental staff and representatives of other agencies; prepare, interpret and maintain accurate nursing records and reports; occasionally restrain clients; stand and walk for long periods; work under psychological and physical strain; and lift or move heavy objects on a regular basis; maintain client rights and the confidentiality of information; and abide by established communications codes.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
- Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
- You should list all your employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application and should be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
- You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
- Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.