Psychiatric Care Technician/Certified Nursing Assistant

Virginia Information Technologies Agency•Staunton, VA

8d•$39,982 - $55,175•Onsite

About The Position

Western State Hospital (WSH), a state-of-the-art, 302-bed Joint Commission-accredited psychiatric facility in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, is hiring full-time Psychiatric Care Technicians (PCTs) and Certified Nursing Aides (CNAs). The hospital is part of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and provides care in a 24/7 psychiatric hospital setting. The role provides direct, recovery-oriented patient care to specific populations in a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment, following care and treatment policies under the guidance of licensed nursing staff. Patients may be served in adult acute admissions, geriatric units, and extended rehabilitation service units. Employees work either two 12-hour shifts and two 8-hour shifts, or five 8-hour shifts per week. The position requires working every other weekend; holidays and overtime may be required as needed. Overtime can, when necessary, involve a 16-hour shift. Shift differentials are available for select shifts and days. The salary range is $39,982 to $55,175.

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 mental illness symptoms 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 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 due to staffing emergencies in a 24/7 psychiatric hospital, including shifts of up to 16 hours when necessary.
Complete annual competency training, including TOVA III with physical restraints.
Complete and maintain American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for Healthcare Providers.
Basic computer skills.
For CNAs, 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.
Bilingual skills.

Responsibilities

Deliver quality care as part of an interdisciplinary team.
Monitor and document vital signs in the Electronic Health Record (EHR).
Assist patients with activities of daily living (ADLs).
Provide one-on-one direct observations.
Use de-escalation techniques to manage behavioral situations.
Administer CPR and perform TOVA-approved physical interventions.
Serve meals and maintain cleanliness in patient areas.
Promote accountability and maintain a safe, therapeutic environment.
Foster healthy interpersonal interactions with patients in adult acute admissions, geriatric units, 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.
Use specialized training to promote mental wellness recovery.
Escort patients to the learning center for classes and to internal and external medical appointments.
Follow care and treatment policies and procedures under the guidance of licensed nursing staff.
Apply infection prevention and control practices in daily activities.

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.
Tuition reimbursement available.
Three weeks of dedicated paid training.
Paid vacation time.
Paid life insurance.
Twelve paid holidays.