Psychiatric Technician I

County of Los Angeles•Los Angeles, CA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

This position involves applying principles of mental health in relationships with mentally ill or emotionally disturbed clients as a member of a Psychiatric Mobile Response Team, Clinical Behavioral Management Response Team, crisis intervention team or therapeutic team at an outpatient or inpatient facility. The role includes observing, evaluating, recording, and reporting significant changes in the client's condition to professional staff. Direct and indirect patient care is provided, including assisting clients with personal hygiene such as bathing and grooming. The position also involves recording measurements of the client's physical condition, aiding or restraining clients to prevent injury, and preparing appropriate forms for emergency calls, evaluations, and client records. Additionally, the role assists professional staff in providing and documenting occupational, recreational, and vocational therapy programs and may administer prescribed medications orally or by injection in acute psychiatric settings. The position may also involve signing applications for immediate 72-hour detention of disturbed psychiatric clients if designated as needed by the Office of Medical Director under the Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Act.

Requirements

A valid and active license as a Psychiatric Technician issued by the California Department of Consumer Affairs, Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians.
Some positions in this classification, depending upon assignment, require possession of a valid California Class C Driver License to perform job-related essential functions.
Applicant's License must not be suspended, restricted or revoked, or have more than four moving violations within the last two years.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with severely mentally ill clients, providing therapeutic support.
Experience working on a psychiatric multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

Applies principles of mental health in relationships with mentally ill or emotionally disturbed clients as a member of a Psychiatric Mobile Response Team, Clinical Behavioral Management Response Team, crisis intervention team or therapeutic team at an outpatient or inpatient facility.
Observes, evaluates, records and reports to professional staff significant changes in the client's condition.
Provides direct and indirect patient care including helping clients with personal hygiene such as bathing and personal grooming.
Records measures of the client's physical condition such as pulse, temperature, respiration, weight, and body mass index.
Aids or restrains clients to prevent injury to themselves or others.
Prepares appropriate forms in connection with emergency calls, evaluation of the client's condition, and maintenance of the client's records.
Assists professional staff members in providing and documenting occupational, recreational and vocational therapy programs related to the client's treatment plan.
Administers, either orally or by injection, prescribed medications to clients in acute psychiatric settings.
Signs the application for immediate 72-hour detention of disturbed psychiatric clients if Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) designated by the Office of Medical Director as needed.