Psychiatric Technician Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Completion of an accredited Licensed Vocational Nurse or Licensed Psychiatric Technician program and at least one year of full-time paid human services experience.
• One year of experience in a mental health setting when in Social Rehabilitation Certified Facilities.
• Experience in implementing medication support systems.
• Current registration with the State of California as a Licensed Psychiatric Technician or Licensed Vocational Nurse or a temporary certificate issued to practice by the Board of Vocational Nurses and Psychiatric Technician Examiners of the State of California.
• Current First Aid Certification or successful completion of First Aid Certification within 30 days of hire.
• Certification in writing 5150 holds or obtain certification within six months of hire.
• Meet government and/or regulatory standards for continuing education credits and recertification, including a minimum of 20 hours of directly related professional training, if assigned to a residential facility.
• Effective utilization of computer technology for communication, information tracking, and accessing of online resources; proven proficiency in typing/keyboarding—minimum 40 net wpm—and a basic proficiency level in Microsoft Office applications and Windows-based databases.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a small team environment; be resourceful, initiate own work, and follow through.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and communicate effectively with others in both verbal and written English; carry out written and verbal instructions in English.
• Demonstrated ability to monitor and support developmental growth and the recovery process.
• Demonstrated ability to implement, monitor and support treatment processes; develop physical health portions of individual treatment plans.
• Demonstrated ability to assess general health conditions, reactions to medications or other treatment, and the need for medical intervention.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain clear, accurate, and complete medical charts and client records and prepare reports.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and demands; effectively manage time and meet required timelines.
• Demonstrated ability to employ tact and diplomacy, exercise good judgment, and act calmly in emergency situations; make appropriate interventions.
• Demonstrated ability to work from a strengths-based, harm-reduction, social rehabilitation model.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with persons of different value systems, ethnicity, cultural backgrounds, language capabilities and disabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with individuals identified as those with serious mental illness who meet the following criteria: histories of hospitalization, institutionalization, including with the criminal justice system, substance abuse, low engagement in medication treatment, and difficulty in participating in structured activities and living independently.
• Demonstrated ability to work with populations identified as high risk and/or considered underrepresented in the County Mental Health system with multiple barriers.
• Demonstrated ability to exhibit exemplary customer service, compassion, and care in the execution of all duties and interactions.
• Demonstrated ability to work with participants who may also have histories of assaultive behavior.
• Demonstrated ability to work with participants who may have resided in long term care facilities for extended periods.
• Demonstrated ability to work with participants who may have patterns of service that relied almost exclusively on emergency and institutional care.
• Demonstrated ability to work with participants who may have cognitive difficulties and medical co-morbidities and are considered medically fragile and may also be developmentally disabled.
• Demonstrated ability to work with participants who may have long-term patterns of homelessness and criminal justice involvement.
• Knowledge of practical nursing theory and best practices in psychiatric nursing procedures in clinics, residential settings, and/or hospitals.
• Knowledge of clinical techniques for assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of people with mental illness; problem resolution and conflict resolution techniques.
• Knowledge of community resources, including those required to meet the non-mental health needs of the target population.
• Must be able to meet and receive a criminal records clearance, as required by Title XXII, other licensing regulations, and Momentum practices.
• A valid California Driver License, with access to a reliable vehicle/for driving a company vehicle, current proof of auto liability insurance, and a clean DMV record.
• Physical requirements needed to perform the essential functions of this job, with or without accommodation: Hearing and talking on telephone and in person; standing, walking, sitting, pinching and finger flexion are required constantly (over 2/3 of the workday).
• Physical requirements needed to perform the essential functions of this job, with or without accommodation: Lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, bending, stooping, crouching, and kneeling are required occasionally (under 1/3 of the workday).
• Must be physically able to assist clients and/or staff in the evacuation of program facilities in emergency situations.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience working with the target population.
• Familiarity with UNIX-based databases.
• Proficiency in a second language to perform these functions.
• Knowledge of Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) and Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP).

Responsibilities

• Provide medical treatment, crisis intervention, medication support and rehabilitation services, within scope of practice, in an inpatient/outpatient milieu setting for individuals with mental illness.
• Serve as a member of the treatment team.
• Provide treatment services, training, and support to clients, both individually and within groups, to help improve skills related to physical and mental health care needs.
• Evaluate clients for symptoms of illness, responses to treatment, general behaviors and general physical condition; observe condition of clients and report unusual conditions; initiate therapeutic interventions.
• Assist in providing a variety of therapy techniques, such as primary process and life skills groups.
• Interview and assess patients and other appropriate persons to determine if patient is in need of voluntary or involuntary psychiatric detentions (5150 holds) or hospitalization; follow up on high risk cases; identify appropriate treatment services.
• Participate in crisis intervention; in the case of client’s being a danger to self or others, determine the extent of the threat; de-escalate that threat.
• Note physician orders and follow through, as needed.
• Implement client medication support systems, including maintenance of medicine supply and upkeep of medical equipment, and ensure compliance with applicable health and safety or other regulatory requirements.
• Administer subcutaneous and intra-muscular medications under the direction of a physician.
• Assist clients in seeking and/or receiving medical care, such as coordinating and scheduling client visits with physicians.
• Provide crisis consultation to families and public and law enforcement agencies; maintain effective relations with hospitals, outside case managers, and other community agencies.
• Complete clinical records and other required documentation, in accordance with Agency, payor and regulatory requirements, utilizing paper or computer technology.
• Provide transportation in personal or Agency vehicle, including but not limited to the transportation of clients and/or program supplies for Agency business.
• Administer First Aid in emergency situations.
• Ensure program facilities are clean and well kept, encouraging clients and/or staff in necessary tasks.
• Implement systems to monitor First Aid supplies and disaster plans.
• Attend and participate in staff, program, Agency and community meetings and training, as required.
• Participate in management of team/program discretionary resources available to meet client needs.

Benefits

• Defined contribution amount of up to $15,433.08 per year (prorated for part-time employees working less than 40 hours per week) to purchase benefits of choice on a cafeteria plan basis.
• Any amount of this defined contribution not used towards your benefits will be paid to you as taxable earnings.
• Retirement plan with a generous employer match starting at 4% after one year of employment.
• Vacation time accruing up to 25 days per year.
• 6 days of sick time per year.
• 12 paid holidays.
• Medical benefits – Kaiser--ranging from $0 Deductible Plan with $15 Copay to $,3400 Deductible Plan with Health Savings Account.
• Sutter Health plans are also available from $0 Deductible Plan to $2,500 Deductible Plan.
• Dental benefits –Guardian: 1 dental HMO and 2 PPOs.
• Vision benefits – 2 options from Guardian VSP: a standard vision plan and an enhanced vision plan.
• Shift differential for evening shifts (4.75%).
• Shift differential for weekend shifts (4.75%).
• Shift differential for overnight (NOC) shift (6.25%).