Psychiatric Technician (Safety)

Job Description and Duties

The permanent, full time  Psychiatric Technician (Safety)will be supervised by the Unit Supervisor, Supervising Registered Nurse, Program Assistant, and lead by a Senior Psychiatric Technician/Registered Nurse Lead or Alternate Shift Lead in the assigned Program/Unit at the Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero (ASH). The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties but not limited to:

• Helps to create a clean, safe and therapeutic environment for patients
• Applies mental health principles and relationship security with patients
• Performs custody tasks including supervision of patient activities
• Searches for drugs, contraband, weapons, and inspect facilities to identify security breaches that could lead to the escape of a patient
• Observes and intervenes in patient behavior that may injure people, damage property, or signal impending escape attempts
• Applies and demonstrates knowledge of Trauma Informed Care (TIC)
• Applies and demonstrates knowledge of correct methods in Therapeutic Strategies and Interventions (TSI), that includes patient containment, heavy lifting, applying restraints, and responding to emergency situations throughout the hospital
• Performs nursing procedures such as administering medications including oral medications and hypodermic injection, observing patients’ physical condition and behavior and reporting significant changes to a shift supervisor, unit supervisor or physician and recording nursing notes: in the patients or inmate record

Eligibility: To be considered for this career opportunity, applicants must have eligibility by way of one of the following: reachable on a certification list, have transfer eligibility, or have reinstatement eligibility.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications specified in the examination bulletin/classification specifications.

If you do not have eligibility, you must take the exam. The examination is a separate process from applying for this vacancy. 

Click here to take the Psychiatric Technician (Safety) Examination

Click on the link to complete the Department of State Hospitals Recruitment Survey: DSH Recruitment Survey

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

• 12-hour shifts and other alternate schedules may be available based on current staffing needs. 
• This position requires you to work within the Secured Treatment Area (STA). 
• There are multiple vacancies for this classification. Positions filled may be assigned to any shift and any unit according to hospital need.

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a Drug Screening be passed prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) a(n) CA Psychiatric Technician License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired.

Benefits

There are many benefits to joining our team! The State of California offers a generous benefits package, including but not limited to:

• Medical Benefits (health, dental, and vision)
• Work life balance (some positions qualify for flexible work hours and schedules, and a minimum of 10 days of paid leave annually – specific accrual rates can be found here )
• Paid Holidays and leave (family medical leave, military leave, etc)
• Defined benefit retirement program with CalPERS
• Savings Plus Program (401(k), 457)
• School loan forgiveness under federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Commute Program
• Employee Wellness Program (discounts to health clubs)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Medical/Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts
• ScholarShare (college savings account)
• On-the-job training and professional development
• Most positions qualify for annual raises until you reach the maximum salary for that position, subject to meeting performance standards

Additional benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

These webpages are intended to provide general information. Benefit eligibility may be based on job classification, bargaining unit, time base, and length of appointment.

Additional Information

Note: Main communication for this position will be through email. Please ensure you have a valid email address on your application.

• Applications postmarked on the final filing date will be accepted.
• Scanned, copied, or faxed applications will not be accepted.
• Applications will be screened and only the most competitive will be offered an interview.
• Any limited-term appointments may transition in to a permanent appointment.
• Selected candidates will be required to submit to a criminal history review utilizing Live Scan fingerprinting.
• This position requires candidates to pass a Medical Evaluation. You will be required to submit to a Medical Evaluation and receive clearance prior to being hired.
• This position requires candidates to take and pass a drug screening test. You will be required to take and pass the drug screening test prior to being hired.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Other - Candidates are requested to submit one (1) letter of recommendation and/or their latest performance or clinical evaluation.