Psychiatric Care Technician/Certified Nursing Assistant

DHRM • Staunton, VA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

Western State Hospital is a 302-bed, Joint Commission-accredited psychiatric facility operated by Virginia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. The hospital serves specific patient populations in a 24/7 psychiatric hospital and provides a training environment affiliated with the University of Virginia’s Department of Psychiatric Medicine.

Psychiatric Care Technicians (PCTs) and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) provide direct, recovery-oriented patient care under the guidance of licensed nursing staff. They follow care and treatment policies and procedures, address population-specific needs, and help maintain a safe, clean, and therapeutic hospital environment. The role serves patients in adult acute admissions, geriatric units, and extended rehabilitation service units.

This is a full-time classified position. Schedules may consist of two 12-hour shifts and two 8-hour shifts, or five 8-hour shifts per week. Employees work every other weekend; holidays and overtime are required as needed. Overtime may occasionally involve a 16-hour shift due to staffing emergencies. Shift differentials are available for select shifts and weekends/holidays.

Requirements

• Ability to provide direct psychiatric patient care under the supervision of licensed staff.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff and psychiatric patients.
• Ability to work in a secure, locked environment with people experiencing acute symptoms of mental illness and/or additional forensic or legal involvement.
• Ability to follow instructions and report patient observations and behaviors promptly to licensed staff, verbally, in writing, or electronically.
• Knowledge of recovery-oriented and trauma-informed care.
• Ability to intervene appropriately in crisis or problem situations.
• Skills in providing direction and assistance with patients’ activities of daily living.
• Willingness to learn basic knowledge of developmental and psychiatric disorders, human behavior, age-specific needs, and personality development.
• Willingness to learn basic mental health treatment measures appropriate to adult, developmentally disabled or impaired, and/or geriatric populations.
• Vision and hearing adequate to recognize and respond to hazardous situations and help ensure facility safety.
• Ability to work effectively with staff as part of a team.
• Ability to perform repetitive walking and/or standing, bending, lifting, and reaching to position, restrain, transfer, transport, or escort individuals and assist with activities of daily living.
• Ability to work overtime during staffing emergencies in a 24/7 psychiatric hospital, potentially including a 16-hour shift when necessary.
• Complete annual competency training, including TOVA III with physical restraints.
• Obtain and maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for Healthcare Providers through the American Heart Association.
• Basic computer skills.
• If employed as a CNA, maintain certification in good standing with the Virginia State Board of Nursing.

Nice To Haves

• Previous healthcare experience.
• Current Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification and/or previous psychiatric experience.
• Demonstrated consistent work history.
• Bilingual Spanish/English skills.
• Veteran or spouse of a veteran.

Responsibilities

• Deliver quality care as part of an interdisciplinary team under the guidance of licensed nursing staff.
• Monitor and document vital signs in the Electronic Health Record (EHR).
• Assist patients with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
• Provide one-on-one direct observation.
• Use de-escalation techniques to manage behavioral situations.
• Administer CPR and perform TOVA-approved physical interventions.
• Serve meals and maintain cleanliness in patient areas.
• Help ensure accountability and maintain a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment.
• Foster healthy interpersonal interactions with patients in adult acute admissions, geriatric, and extended rehabilitation service units.
• Observe and report interventions, treatments, behaviors, physical and emotional well-being, and other relevant situations.
• Document and communicate observations effectively, including verbally, in writing, or electronically.
• Use specialized training to promote mental wellness and recovery.
• Escort patients to classes at the learning center and to internal and external medical appointments.
• Follow care and treatment policies and procedures and apply infection-prevention and control practices.

Benefits

• Career advancement opportunities.
• Professional Skills Incentive available.
• Flexible scheduling to support work-life balance.
• Choice of 11 insurance packages, including health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Two retirement savings plans.
• 24/7 security on site.
• Shift and weekend differentials for select positions.
• Paid sick and personal time off.
• Loan repayment options for clinical positions.
• State employee discounts on products and services, including entertainment and travel options.
• Tuition reimbursement available.
• Three weeks of dedicated paid training.
• Paid vacation time.
• Paid life insurance.
• Twelve paid holidays.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed