Psychiatric Technician I/II Government Job Dept-23-00157 Full Time

What You’ll Do:
This position is responsible for a variety of duties, including;

• Maintains prescribed standards of mental health treatment and ensures services are rendered in conformance with policy and procedural guidelines. 
• Participates in case conferences and provides input regarding mental health cases and problems. 
• Administers oral and hypodermic medications and observes and records their effects; obtains and records all orders from physician to facilitate patient treatment. 
• Performs crisis intervention, in person and on the phone, management of assaultive behavior, and general counseling.
• Coordinates or arranges for the provision of needed services, including emergency detention when patient is in danger to self or others. 

Where You’ll Do It:
This position is located in Eureka, California.

A typical work schedule for this position includes 12 hour shifts – days or nights. 

DEFINITION 

Under general supervision, provides technical nursing and psychiatric care for in-patient and day treatment, mentally ill and emotionally disturbed patients; collaborates with other medical staff and interdisciplinary health treatment teams to evaluate and prepare treatment plans; assists with day treatment programming; performs related work as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Psychiatric Technician I is the entry level class in this series.  Initially under close supervision, the incumbents perform the more routine technical nursing duties while learning County policies and procedures.  This class is alternately staffed with Psychiatric Technician II and incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency which meet the qualifications of the higher level class.

Psychiatric Technician II is the journey level class in the series, fully competent to perform responsible and difficult patient assessments and prepare patient treatment plans for the mentally ill in out-patient, in-patient or after-care settings.  This class is distinguished from Psychiatric Nurse in that the latter provides professional nursing services requiring licensure as a Registered Nurse.

• Assesses patients upon admission to unit, evaluates patient needs for emergency medical treatment and/or emergency psychiatric medication, and makes presentation of physical and mental condition findings to attending physicians.
• Manages assaultive behavior of patients and places difficult patients in seclusion and/or restraints, as ordered by a physician.
• Participates as a team member in developing patient care plans and informs appropriate medical support staff of patient needs.
• Observes and charts vital signs, assists patients with personal hygiene activities, collects samples for routine lab tests, and performs facility house cleaning, cooking and other household livings tasks.
• Administers oral and hypodermic medications and observes and records their effects; obtains and transcribes appropriate orders from physician to facilitate patient treatment.
• May serve as case coordinator for assigned patients or clients.
• Performs crisis intervention, in person and over the phone, to provide support and assistance in problem resolution and to coordinate or arrange for the provision of needed services.
• Provides supportive services in a psychiatric health facility or a day treatment center including various group activities such as exercise and art; monitors patient adjustment and progress.
• Transports patients to other facilities, doctor’s appointments or related activities.
• Maintains accurate records and files; documents patient progress and procedures performed.
• Confers with medical, clinical, and inter-agency staff regarding patient needs and ways of improving staff’s ability to impact on patients.
• Develops communications with agencies specifically related to after care on as-needed and where-needed basis.
• Performs charge duties on limited basis including:  accepts report from previous shift, makes appropriate notes on charts, writes medication orders, reviews charts for completeness, assigns duties and oversees staff on assigned shift, and serves as liaison with on-call physician.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of general and psychiatric nursing care, as defined by the State of California licensing requirements.
• Techniques for dealing with disturbed individuals and/or their families.
• Medical and psychiatric terminology and first aid methods and procedures.
• Psychotropic medicines, including narcotics, and their side effects.
• Standard medical recordkeeping, including patient charting and the processing and maintenance of required documentation.
• Standard office administrative practices and procedures.
• Basic principles of staff direction and training.
• Basic diagnostic classification system of the most current version of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual.

 Skill in:

• Conducting psychiatric assessments and evaluations and reporting physical and mental condition findings to medical staff.
• Developing effective patient care treatment plans to facilitate patient medical or psychiatric improvement.
• Performing crisis intervention, managing assaultive behavior, responding promptly to patient emergency situations and taking effective action to control potentially violent incidents.
• Conducting occupational and recreational programs for patients.
• Administering medications and observing, recording and reporting their affects.
• Documenting patient histories and maintaining accurate records and files.
• Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.
• Exercising sound independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of  the work.
• Providing oversight and direction.

Other Requirements:

Must possess a valid California driver’s license.  Must be licensed to practice as a Licensed Vocational Nurse, Registered Nurse or Psychiatric Technician in the State of California.

Desirable Education and Experience:

A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills outlined above is:

Psychiatric Technician I: Completion of an accredited program qualifying for California State Licensure as a Psychiatric Technician, Registered Nurse or a Licensed Vocational Nurse.  Some experience in working with the chronically mentally ill is desirable.

Psychiatric Technician II: In addition to the above, two years of post-licensure experience in working with the chronically mentally ill in an in- or out-patient setting at a level equivalent to the County’s class of Psychiatric Technician I.

All the Benefits
Frequently Asked Questions

• How long does it take to fill out the application?

You should allow 30 – 45 minutes to fill out your application.

• Can I change my application after submitting it?

You may only submit one application per day.   You may submit an edited application after waiting at least one day from your initial submission.

• How long until I hear back from you?

You can expect to hear back from Humboldt County Human Resources about 3-4 weeks after the closing date listed on the job posting.

• Will I be informed if I am not selected for an interview?

Yes, you will be informed if you are not selected for an interview.

 
County of Humboldt’s Commitment to DEI
Research indicates that individuals in protected classes can be less likely to submit a job application. The County of Humboldt is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace where our employees are free to bring their full selves to work each day in an environment that allows them to reach their full potential. The Board of Supervisors has made organizational commitments to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the County is working to ensure that these commitments are reflected in all we do. The County recognizes that certain populations (BIPOC, Disabled Persons, Veterans, and LGBTQIA+ community members,) face systemic and structural challenges which may inhibit their ability to satisfy every requirement of the position. In recognition of these structural and systemic factors, the Human Resources Department understands that experience can be gained in many ways – oftentimes, outside of formal institutions – and strives to take a holistic approach to in assessing an applicant’s qualifications for a position. So, if you’re excited about this role but your past work experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we strongly encourage you to apply.

How to Apply
A complete, original application must be filed for each position you are interested in applying for. Applications may only be submitted online through the County’s automated application system at http://www.humboldtgov.org/hr no later than the final filing date listed on the job flyer. All applications are screened by subject matter experts. The most qualified candidates may then be invited for further testing.  
It is important that your application, not just your resume, show all the relevant experience and education you possess.
Please read the job requirements section of the announcement.  Be sure you meet these requirements since they will be carefully evaluated during the selection process.  Your performance in this examination will be compared with the performance of others who take the test. All candidates who pass will be ranked according to their scores.  The examination results will be emailed to you as quickly as possible.  Scores will be provided in writing only.
Yay! You’ve made it down to the fine print…. that means you are interested in this job, and THAT makes us happy!  The lawyers tell us we need to include this stuff…. but we’ll help you get through it.
This is about the retirement benefits we offer.   You’ve probably heard that we have a great retirement plan.  Basically, you fall into a Tier based on the date you first start working for the County or any other governmental employer that uses CalPERS for retirement.   If this is your first job in government, then you’ll be in Tier III.  2.0 means that for every year you work for the County, you will receive 2% of your final annual pay rate for every year that you work for us if you work the required minimum number of years (that’s called vesting) and retire after the age following the @.   So, if you work 20 years and retire at 64 years of age, you will receive 20 x 2% or 40% of your final annual pay rate every year in retirement.

CalPERS Retirement Program
The County participates in the CalPERS retirement system, with both the County and the employee making contributions toward the employee’s retirement. 

• Tier I: Prior to 7/5/2012: 2.7 @ 55
• Tier II: Post 7/6/2012: 2.0 @ 55
• Tier III: Post 1/1/2013: 2.0 @ 62

 
This next section says that the County runs its hiring on a set of rules to ensure that it is fair.  Hiring and promotion are based on performance and having the best qualifications for the job.   “Examination” doesn’t always mean taking a test…..sometimes it just means how we compare your application to others who have applied and an “oral examination” can just mean an interview for lower level positions.

Selection Procedure
The County’s Human Resources system operates by a set of rules and procedures which ensure that employees are hired and promoted on the basis of merit and fitness for the job. Jobs are filled through competitive examinations. A complete online application is required for this position. All application materials will be reviewed by a panel of subject matter experts. Those candidates considered to be the most qualified, based on the application materials submitted, will be invited to a written and/or oral examination, or an evaluation of education and experience.

Policy of Nondiscrimination
The County of Humboldt does not discriminate on the basis of mental or physical disability in the admission or access to, treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. Human Resources is located in the Humboldt County Courthouse, which has an accessible entrance to the Courthouse is the 4th Street entrance. Accessible parking is available adjacent to the 4th Street entrance and on the 4th Street side of the K Street lot. Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate disabilities or religious convictions. Contact Human Resources at (707) 476-2349 well in advance of the examination for assistance.
The County is an equal opportunity employer. We enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religion or religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, military service, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws or ordinances. Reasonable accommodation may be made in the testing procedure as well as the work site. If you need accommodation for an exam due to a disability, please contact the Human Resources office as soon as possible.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION: A pre-employment medical examination provided by the County may be required upon offer of employment.
OTHER EXAMINATIONS: Some positions also require psychological evaluation and/or extensive background investigation.
LICENSES: Some classifications require possession of valid professional and/or technical licenses. Some classifications may require the possession of a valid California driver’s license.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Persons appointed to regular County positions serve a probationary period. This is normally six months, but may be up to one year. All designated safety employees serve a one year probationary period.
EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY:  It is the County’s intention to hire only those workers who are authorized to work in the United States, pursuant to the Immigration Act of 1990. If you are offered employment you will be required to verify your eligibility to work in the United States.  For law enforcement positions you will be required to verify your U.S. citizenship or legalized status.

All County of Humboldt employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109).  Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect.  Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED CONTRACT.  THE COUNTY OF HUMBOLDT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE NECESSARY MODIFICATIONS TO THE EXAMINATION PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY MERIT SYSTEM RULES.