Psychiatric Care Technician- Part Time.
About The Position
Western State Hospital, part of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), has been a leader in psychiatric treatment since 1828. WSH is a 302-bed Joint Commission/CMS-accredited psychiatric facility located in the scenic Shenandoah Valley. Just 30 minutes from vibrant university towns, our hospital serves adults with serious mental health needs and is nationally recognized for our Psychosocial Rehabilitation “Learning” programs. WSH provides a modern clinical setting and a therapeutic environment for patients, supported by highly qualified staff. Employees also enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the Shenandoah Valley, with nearby cities such as Charlottesville and Harrisonburg offering dining, entertainment, and outdoor activities, making Staunton an attractive place to live and work. Western State Hospital is seeking applicants for 1st and 2nd shift, part-time Psychiatric Care Technicians (PCTs). Successful candidates must be available to work 12-hour shifts on weekends (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday) from either 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., or 8-hour shifts from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., or 3 pm to 11 p.m.. Part-time PCTs are required to work a minimum of 64 hours per month. Additionally, they must work 4 hours on either Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day, and 4 hours on another holiday, such as the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, or New Year’s Day. PCTs work under the supervision of licensed nursing staff, providing recovery-oriented direct care in a hospital setting. Their responsibilities include maintaining a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment; supporting and motivating patients to engage in their individualized treatment plans; and delivering treatment programs to individuals and groups with serious mental illnesses, substance abuse issues, and/or intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Requirements
- Ability to provide direct psychiatric patient care under the supervision of licensed staff
- Ability to effectively communicate with staff and psychiatric patients
- Ability to work in a secure and locked environment with individuals who are experiencing acute symptoms of mental illness and/or additional forensic/legal involvement
- Able to follow instructions and report observations/behaviors of psychiatric patients to licensed staff in a timely manner by describing observations verbally, in written, or electronically
- Demonstrate knowledge of recovery/trauma informed care
- Appropriately intervene in crisis or problem situations
- Has skills in providing direction and assistance to psychiatric patients in activities of daily living
- Willing to learn basic knowledge of developmental and psychiatric disorders along with human behavior, age-specific needs, and personality development
- Willing to learn basic treatment measures to promote mental health appropriate to the adult, developmentally disabled or impaired, and/or geriatric populations
- Vision and hearing adequate to recognize and respond to hazardous situation and ensure safety at facility
- Ability to work effectively with staff in a team approach
- Ability to perform infection prevention and control practices and appropriately apply standards in daily activities
- Ability to perform repetitious walking and/or standing, bending, lifting and reaching over to position/restrain/transfer/transport and/or escort individuals, and provide assistance with activities of daily living
- Ability to work overtime due to staffing emergencies in a 24-hour 7 day per week psychiatric hospital which at times may mean working a 16-hour shift if and when necessary
- Complete all annual competency training to include TOVA III with physical restraints
- Complete and maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for Healthcare Providers with the American Heart Association
- Has basic computer skills
- If CNA, maintain certification in good standing with the Virginia State Board of Nursing
Nice To Haves
- Previous healthcare experience
- Current Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and/or previous psychiatric experience
- Demonstrated consistent work history
- Bi-lingual Spanish/English a plus
- Veteran or Spouse of Veteran
- Bilingual
- Certified Nursing Assistant
Responsibilities
- Taking clients’ vital signs
- Assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs)
- Feeding
- Cleaning
- Providing one-on-one direct observation
- Serving meals
- Using de-escalation techniques to manage client behavior and milieu
- Maintaining a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment
- Supporting and motivating patients to engage in their individualized treatment plans
- Delivering treatment programs to individuals and groups with serious mental illnesses, substance abuse issues, and/or intellectual or developmental disabilities
- Working alongside nurses as integral members of the unit-based treatment team
- Contributing in our ‘Learning Center,’ where patients participate in various classes to develop skills that support their ongoing recovery
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
Number of Employees
1-10 employees
