Crisis Licensed Psychiatric Technician/Licensed Vocational Nurse

Pacific Clinics•Grass Valley, CA

About The Position

This role provides general medical and psychiatric care in a crisis stabilization setting. The program is a 23-hour, 59-minute unit for adults age 18 and older who need intensive stabilization, with the goal of diverting people from 5150 holds and psychiatric hospital stays. The organization is launching a new Nevada County CSU and seeks team members to provide strengths-based, culturally respectful, trauma-informed stabilization support. The position applies practical nursing techniques and standard care practices, including recognizing typical symptoms and patterns. The posting’s job summary refers to care of youth, while the program description identifies adults served by the CSU. The scheduled hours are Thursday through Monday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The employee is also available on call after hours and on weekends for special needs, including psychiatric emergencies. Initial compensation is $35.61–$43.79 per hour, depending on experience, location, and internal equity. Possible additional compensation includes an 8% license differential for specified licenses and select peer certifications, and qualifying bilingual differentials of up to 7.5% for direct-service roles or up to $80 per month for non-direct-service roles.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED and one year of relevant clinical experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; two years of relevant experience equals one year of education.
Completion of a prescribed course of study and training at a school accredited by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians.
A license through the California Board of Vocational Nursing or a certificate through the Psychiatric Technicians of California.
Ability to perform each essential duty satisfactorily; reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.
Ability to remain physically fit enough to help keep clients safe, including the ability to move quickly or run and drive a car.
If the program requires it, pass an initial physical abilities test (PATS) and obtain crisis-intervention-technique certification within the first 30 days, with annual recertification.
For employment at a Crisis Stabilization Unit, pass a Human Performance Evaluation Test at a designated company clinic, including lifting, pushing/pulling, repetitive coupling, static weight, and other required movements.
Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Required vision abilities include close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
Driving is required.
May have unsupervised contact with children; a full background check and TB exam are required.
Required competencies include nursing decision-making and critical thinking, clear and accurate documentation, customer focus, collaboration with team members, and medication management.

Responsibilities

Assist the staff RN and psychiatrist with nursing processes and implementation of medical treatment plans and medication orders.
Conduct medical and psychiatric screening in the context of a mental health crisis.
Coordinate, schedule, and oversee pediatric medical treatment, including crisis response, de-escalation, and, if needed, initiation of higher-level behavioral restraint interventions.
Complete admissions and discharges, health assessments using body charts, monthly vital signs, and physical assessments; determine physiological status.
Monitor and implement systems of care delivery for pediatric nursing, medical activities, and pharmacological care.
Schedule medical, dental, and laboratory appointments while considering medical requirements, service schedules, and transportation schedules.
Schedule external psychiatric appointments and follow up as delegated by the attending psychiatrist.
Follow physician orders and oversee, evaluate, and implement activities related to ordering, monitoring, documenting, and handling medications, including administering emergency medication.
Maintain organized and timely medical and psychiatric records and private health information to meet standards of care, accreditation, licensing requirements, and patient care needs.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and organize and provide staff education regarding health, safety, psychiatric, and medication issues.
Be available on call after hours and on weekends to respond to special needs, including psychiatric emergencies, with appropriate intervention.
Recognize basic symptoms that may indicate adverse medication reactions, consult with a supervisor and/or alert medical staff, and monitor medications for potential side effects.
Attend committees, team meetings, and staff meetings.
Perform other related responsibilities as assigned to support department or business needs.