Certified Nursing Assistant - Psychiatric Unit (Open & Promotional)

Certified Nursing Assistant - Psychiatric Unit (Open & Promotional)

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Certified Nursing Assistant - Psychiatric Unit (Open & Promotional)

Salary

$30.22 - $37.77 Hourly

Location

County of San Mateo, CA

Job Type

Regular

Job Number

F079CJ

Department

San Mateo Medical Center

Opening Date

04/08/2026

Bargaining Unit

01A

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

Description

Note: This recruitment schedule was amended on April 22, 2026 to extend the Final Filing Date. This recruitment has been changed to "Continuous."

The San Mateo Medical Center is looking for experienced Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) under the Psychiatric Unit to perform a full range of bedside care nursing, and other services required to care for patients located in an Acute care hospital.

CNAs work under the direct supervision of a registered nurse and/or licensed vocational nurse. The current vacancy is a night shift, part-time, regular vacancy.

Ideal candidates will possess the following:

• At least one year of experience working in a skilled nursing facility or acute care hospital.

• Possession of a Basic Life Support Certificate by American Heart Association.

• Experience using EPIC for recording patient information is highly preferred.

• Be flexible and can work irregular hours, including call hours.

• The ability to work in a physically demanding and high-stress environment.

• The ability to handle and lift patients.

• The ability to push and pull heavy objects.

This position requires possession of a valid Certified Nursing Assistant Certificate issued by the State of California. This position also requires a valid Basic Life Support Certificate (BLS) issued by the American Heart Association or a valid Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate issued by the American Red Cross.

NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies.

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Accurately take and record the condition, respiration, pulse, temperature and blood pressure of patients; record other pertinent information as observed or measured.

• Apply non-sterile dressings and administer non-medicated treatments under the supervision of a registered nurse, licensed physician, surgeon, podiatrist, nurse practitioner or physician assistant.

• Carry out rehabilitation procedures as directed by therapists; perform a range of motion body movement with/for patients; position and exercise patients.

• Assist in therapeutic milieu programs.

• Advise patients on the use of restorative equipment.

• Advise patients about the effects of medications.

• Assist with radiology procedures and diagnostic imaging.

• Observe and practice proper isolation techniques.

• Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

• Operate various types of sterilization equipment.

• Set up oxygen and other hospital equipment as directed.

• Transport specimens, medical records, and related items.

• Lift and transport patients and heavy items such as supplies and equipment; assist in controlling violent patients.

• Bathe, feed, dress, and care for the physical and psychosocial needs of interned patients.

• Enter and retrieve a variety of information in automated systems.

• Document and sign any care provided to patient in their medical record.

• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Licensure/Certification:

• Possession of a Certified Nursing Assistant Certificate issued by the State of California.

NOTE: Some positions may require a current and valid Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate issued by the American Heart Association or a valid Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate issued by the American Red Cross.

Education and Experience:

• Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying.

• A typical way to qualify for is one year of experience in a hospital, institution, or approved nursing home as a nurse's assistant, orderly, ward aide or hospital attendant.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, techniques, and procedures specific to area of assignment.

• Principles and techniques in delivering patient care services related to personal hygiene, comfort, treatment, transportation, rehabilitation and physical or psychosocial needs.

• Infection control.

• Diagnostic imaging.

• Safe lifting techniques.

• Theory and practice of total body substance isolation.

• Patients' rights.

• Elder and child abuse, and domestic violence reporting requirements.

Skill/Ability to:

• Follow oral and written instructions.

• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.

• Perform a variety of tasks and activities.

• Develop and maintain empathetic attitudes toward patients.

• Help in delivering patient care in a medical setting such as bathing, feeding, bed making, dressing, and sterilization of patient care equipment.

• Observe and record patient conditions and vital signs.

• Lift and transport patients and heavy items such as supplies and equipment.

• Work with patients with multiple diagnoses.

• Work with a culturally, socio-economically diverse patient population of varying ages.

Application/Examination

Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, extra-help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.

The examination process will consist of a scored evaluation of relevant training and experience (weight: 100%) based solely on the responses to the supplemental questions. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement to the next phase of the examination process. Candidates must pass the training and experience evaluation in order to be placed on the eligible list. Successful candidates in the testing process will be placed on the eligible list in rank order according to their training and experience evaluation score. The top candidates from the eligible list will be forwarded to the hiring department for an interview, which is the basis for final selection.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to to apply . Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date

This is a continuous recruitment which may close at any time. The final filing date will be posted 5 days in advance in the County of San Mateo Human Resources Department.

Apply immediately. This recruitment is open on a continuous basis and selections may be made at any time within the process.

NOTE: The Training & Experience Evaluation is not an interview process and does not require candidate attendance.

Departmental Interview: The top ranked candidates on the eligible list will be forwarded to the hiring department for an interview, which may include a performance exercise. This interview process will be the basis for final selection.

About the County

San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity in order to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to hire, support and retain employees who reflect our diverse community.

We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.

Analyst: Debbie Kong (04082026) (Medical Services Assistant II - F079)

We invite you to explore our Benefits-at-a-Glance ( page for a snapshot of the comprehensive and competitive benefits available to eligible employees of the County of San Mateo. From health and wellness to financial security, our benefits are designed to support you at every stage of your career. (Please note that benefits are subject to change.)

In addition to core benefits, the County is proud to offer a variety of wellness and professional development programs to help you grow both personally and professionally. Most of these enriching opportunities are available during work hours and come at no cost to you.

As a County employee, you’ll also be covered by the federal Social Security system, earning valuable retirement benefits based on your salary and years of service.

01

INSTRUCTIONS: In order for your application to receive every consideration in the selection process, you must complete each of the following Supplemental Questions. This Supplemental Questionnaire is the exam for this job posting, and your responses will be scored against a predetermined formula. Your responses should be consistent with the information in your standard San Mateo County application and may be subject to verification. A resume will not be accepted in lieu of your answers to the questions.

• I have read and understand the above instruction.

02

A valid Certified Nursing Assistant certificate issued by the State of California is "required." NOTE: A copy of your CNA certificate must be submitted when requested. Do you possess a valid Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certificate? (A "no" response will disqualify you from this process.)

• Yes

• No

03

If you selected "Yes" to possessing a Certified Nursing Assistant certificate issued by the State of California, please provide us with your a) license number and b) the date of expiration (mm/dd/yyyy). (An incomplete and/or invalid response will disqualify you from this process.)

04

This position requires a valid Basic Life Support Certificate (BLS) issued by the American Heart Association or a valid Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate issued by the American Red Cross. Check the certifications you have obtained. (Check all that apply. A "None of the above" answer to this question will disqualify you from this recruitment.)

• Valid Basic Life Support Certificate (BLS) issued by the American Heart Association

• Valid Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate issued by the American Red Cross

• None of the above

05

List all the other relevant certifications not listed above in which you have obtained. (Please note that this item is for information only and will not be scored.)

06

Providing Bedside Care to Patients – Considering your previous paid work experience, education and training, select all task(s) you have performed. (Check all that apply, clinical rotation experience is not applicable)

• Bathed

• Fed

• Groomed

• Dressed/Undressed

• Provided bedpans and urinals

• Cared for incontinence

• Identified a change in patient's medical condition

• Took Height and weight measurements

• Took vital signs of respiration, pulse, temperature and blood pressure of patients

• Perineal care

• Emptied commodes

• Responded to call lights

• Dental, denture care, and mouth care

• Performed range of motion activities with/for patients

• Positioned and exercised patients, as part of caring for the physical and psychological needs of patients

• Transferred patients using mechanical lifts (Hoyer lift, Sara Stedy, etc.)

• No experience, but willing to learn

07

Providing Bedside Care to Patients - Considering your previous work experience, education and training, how long have you performed the task(s) selected? (Note: clinical rotation experience is not applicable)

• 3 years or more

• More than 2 years but less than 3 years

• 1 year or more but less than 2 years

• Less than 1 year

• Never, but willing to learn

08

Providing Bedside Care to Patients - Considering your previous work experience, education and training, how long ago did you perform the task(s) selected? (Note: clinical rotation experience is not applicable)

• Less than 6 months ago

• More than 6 months but less than 1 year ago

• More than 1 year but less than 2 years ago

• More than 2 years ago

• Never, but willing to learn

09

Providing Bedside Care to Patients - Considering your previous work experience, education, and training, in what context / environment did you most often perform the task(s) selected? (Check all that apply.)

• Skilled Nursing Facility

• Acute Care Hospital

• Psychiatric/Geropsychiatric Facility

• Emergency Department / ICU

• In a classroom or academic setting

• No experience, but willing to learn

10

Providing Bedside Care to Patients - List employers or references to verify your responses to Questions 6-9. Include the following information: (a) name of the employer or reference, (b) name of the supervisor or manager, (c) address, and (d) telephone number. You may include more than one employer or reference. (Please note that your responses should be consistent with the information in your standard San Mateo County application and may be subject to verification. This item is for information only and will not be scored.)

11

Providing Services to Dementia or Behaviorally Challenged Patients – Considering your previous work experience, education and training, select all duties and responsibilities you have performed. (Check all that apply.)

• Assisted licensed staff with managing aggressive patients

• Maintained safe environment

• Worked with patients refusing treatment

• Stepped out and allowed patient to relax and then revisited

• Knowledge that cannot force patients treatment as they have a right to refuse

• Participated in the development and implementation of a behavioral care plan

• Kept patient visible and monitored patient for safety

• Identified a change in patients behavior and notified licensed staff

• 1 to 1 - sat with patient to maintain patient safety

• Understood 5150 if patient is danger to self or others

• Developed and maintained empathetic attitudes toward patients

• No experience, but willing to learn

12

Providing Services to Dementia or Behaviorally Challenged Patients - Considering your previous work experience, education, and training, how long have you performed the duties and responsibilities selected?

• 3 years or more

• More than 2 years but less than 3 years

• 1 year or more but less than 2 years

• Less than 1 year

• Never, but willing to learn

13

Providing Services to Dementia or Behaviorally Challenged Patients - Considering your previous work experience, education, and training, how long ago did you perform the duties and responsibilities selected?

• Less than 6 months ago

• More than 6 months but less than 1 year ago

• More than 1 year but less than 2 years ago

• More than 2 years ago

• Never, but willing to learn

14

Providing Services to Dementia or Behaviorally Challenged Patients - Considering your previous work experience, education and training, in what context / environment did you most often perform the duties and responsibilities selected? (Check all that apply.)

• Skilled Nursing Facility

• Acute Care Hospital

• Psychiatric/Geropsychiatric Facility

• Emergency Department / ICU

• In a classroom or academic setting

• No experience, but willing to learn

15

Providing Services to Dementia or Behaviorally Challenged Patients – List employers or references to verify your responses to Questions 11-14. Include the following information: (a) name of the employer or reference, (b) name of the supervisor or manager, (c) address, and (d) telephone number. You may include more than one employer or reference. (Please note that your responses should be consistent with the information in your standard San Mateo County application and may be subject to verification. This item is for information only and will not be scored.)

16

Lifting, Moving and Transferring Patients – Considering your previous work experience, education, and training, select all method(s) and/or equipment(s) you have used to assist you in lifting, moving and transferring patients properly. (Check all that apply.)

• Mechanical Lift

• Wheelchair

• Specialized chair (Geri, Cardiac, etc.)

• Gait Belt

• Slide Board

• Sling Scale

• 2-Person Lift and One Person Transfer

• Gurney

• No experience, but willing to learn

17

Lifting, Moving and Transferring Patients – Considering your previous work experience, education and training, how long have you performed the method(s) and/or equipment(s) selected?

• 3 years or more

• More than 2 years but less than 3 years

• 1 year or more but less than 2 years

• Less than 1 year

• Never, but willing to learn

18

Lifting, Moving and Transferring Patients – Considering your previous work experience, education and training, how long ago did you perform the method(s) and/or equipment(s) selected?

• Less than 6 months ago

• More than 6 months but less than 1 year ago

• More than 1 year but less than 2 years ago

• More than 2 years ago

• Never, but willing to learn

19

Lifting, Moving and Transferring Patients – Considering your previous work experience, education and training, in what context / environment did you most often perform the method(s) and/or equipment(s) selected? (Check all that apply.)

• Skilled Nursing Facility

• Acute Care Hospital

• Psychiatric Facility

• Emergency Department or ICU

• In a classroom or academic setting

• No experience, but willing to learn

20

Lifting, Moving and Transferring Patients – List employers or references to verify your responses to Questions 16-19. Include the following information: (a) name of the employer or reference, (b) name of the supervisor or manager, (c) address, and (d) telephone number. You may include more than one employer or reference. (Please note that your responses should be consistent with the information in your standard San Mateo County application and may be subject to verification. This item is for information only and will not be scored.)

21

Physical Restraints/Least Restrictive Intervention for Patient Safety – Considering your previous work experience, education, and training, select all types of restraints and procedures you have used to assist licensed staff in providing for patient safety. (Check all that apply.)

• Leather or soft restraints

• Belt self/non-self release

• Mittens

• Side rails

• Lap tray

• Chair/Bed Alarm

• 1 to 1 - sat with patient

• Monitored and checked patient every 15 minutes once restraints were in place

• Released and reposition once restraints were in place

• No experience, but willing to learn

22

Physical Restraints/Least Restrictive Intervention for Patient Safety – Considering your previous work experience, education, and training, how long have you performed the types of restraints and procedures selected?

• 3 years or more

• More than 2 years but less than 3 years

• 1 year or more but less than 2 years

• Less than 1 year

• Never, but willing to learn

23

Physical Restraints/Least Restrictive Intervention for Patient Safety – Considering your previous work experience, education, and training, how long ago did you perform the types of restraints and procedures selected?

• Less than 6 months ago

• More than 6 months but less than 1 year ago

• More than 1 year but less than 2 years ago

• More than 2 years ago

• Never, but willing to learn

24

Physical Restraints/Least Restrictive Intervention for Patient Safety – Considering your previous work experience, education, and training, in what context / environment did you most often perform the types of restraints and procedures selected? (Check all that apply.)

• Skilled Nursing Facility

• Acute Care Hospital

• Psychiatric/Geropsychiatric Facility

• Emergency Department / ICU

• In a classroom or academic setting

• No experience, but willing to learn

25

Physical Restraints/Least Restrictive Intervention for Patient Safety – List employers or references to verify your responses to Questions 21-24. Include the following information: (a) name of the employer or reference, (b) name of the supervisor or manager, (c) address, and (d) telephone number. You may include more than one employer or reference. (Please note that your responses should be consistent with the information in your standard San Mateo County application and may be subject to verification. This item is for information only and will not be scored.)

26

How do you assess when it is necessary to use physical restraints on a patient? Can you provide an example of a situation where you had to use a physical restraint? What was the outcome? (Please note that this item is for information only and will not be scored.)

27

Charting Medical Records – Considering your previous work experience, education and training, select all medical records items you have charted using an Electric Medical Records system. (Check all that apply.)

• Vital signs of respiration, pulse, temperature, and blood pressure of patients

• Universal pain scale

• Activities of daily living (ADL)

• Intake and output using Meal Percentage Report and Bowel Management record

• Skin injuries

• Sleep patterns

• Falls or other incidents using Unusual Occurrence Report (UOR)

• Oxygen saturation

• Patient safety and environmental checks

• Recorded patient weight and height measurements

• Pertinent information as observed or measured

• No experience, but willing to learn

28

Charting Medical Records – Considering your previous work experience, education, and training, how long have you performed the medical record items selected?

• 3 years or more

• More than 2 years but less than 3 years

• 1 year or more but less than 2 years

• Less than 1 year

• Never, but willing to learn

29

Charting Medical Records – Considering your previous work experience, education, and training, how long ago did you perform the medical record items selected?

• Less than 6 months ago

• More than 6 months but less than 1 year ago

• More than 1 year but less than 2 years ago

• More than 2 years ago

• Never, but willing to learn

30

Charting Medical Records – Considering your previous work experience, education, and training, in what context / environment did you most often perform the medical record items selected? (Check all that apply.)

• Skilled Nursing Facility

• Acute Care Hospital

• Psychiatric Facility

• Emergency Department / ICU

• In a classroom or academic setting

• No experience, but willing to learn

31

Charting Medical Records – List employers or references to verify your responses to Questions 26-29. Include the following information: (a) name of the employer or reference, (b) name of the supervisor or manager, (c) address, and (d) telephone number. You may include more than one employer or reference. (Please note that your responses should be consistent with the information in your standard San Mateo County application and may be subject to verification. This item is for information only and will not be scored.)

32

Responding to a "Code Blue" – Considering your previous work experience, education, and training, select the responsibilities you performed in a Code Blue situation. (Check all that apply.)

• Called for help (9-1-1 or Nurse)

• Stayed with patient

• Performed CPR

• Performed Heimlich maneuver

• Cleared the hall and the room for emergency staff

• Maintained safety of environment and other patients

• No experience, but willing to learn

33

Responding to a "Code Blue" – Considering your previous work experience, education and training, how long have you performed the responsibilities selected?

• 3 years or more

• More than 2 years but less than 3 years

• 1 year or more but less than 2 years

• Less than 1 year

• Never, but willing to learn

34

Responding to a "Code Blue" – Considering your previous work experience, education, and training, how long ago did you perform the responsibilities selected?

• Less than 6 months ago

• More than 6 months but less than 1 year ago

• More than 1 year but less than 2 years ago

• More than 2 years ago

• Never, but willing to learn

35

Responding to a "Code Blue" – Considering your previous work experience, education and training, in what context / environment did you most often perform the responsibilities selected? (Check all that apply.)

• Skilled Nursing Facility

• Acute Care Hospital

• Psychiatric Facility

• Emergency Department / ICU

• In a classroom or academic setting

• No experience, but willing to learn

36

Responding to a "Code Blue" – List employers or references to verify your responses to Questions 31-34. Include the following information: (a) name of the employer or reference, (b) name of the supervisor or manager, (c) address, and (d) telephone number. You may include more than one employer or reference. (Please note that your responses should be consistent with the information in your standard San Mateo County application and may be subject to verification. This item is for information only and will not be scored.)

37

Tell us about a time you established trust with a patient who was initially withdrawn, anxious, or resistant. What steps did you take and what was the outcome?

38

Tell us about a time you had to de-escalate a patient who was agitated or aggressive. What steps did you take, and what was the outcome?

39

Certified Nursing Assistants are required to work various shifts and hours. Please check your availability below. (Please note that this item is for information only and will not be scored. Check all that apply.)

• Full-time

• Part-time

• Weekends

• Holidays

• Days (7 a.m. - 3 p.m.)

• Evenings (3 p.m. - 11 p.m.)

• Nights (11 p.m. - 7 a.m.)

40

How did you learn about this position?

• County of San Mateo Website

• County of San Mateo Job Interest Card Notification

• County Hosted Virtual Event

• County Hosted Job Fair

• CalOpps.org

• College/University Career Center

• Community-based Organization Posting

• Facebook/Instagram

• Friend or Relative

• GovernmentJobs.com

• Indeed

• Job Fair

• LinkedIn

• Professional Publication/Website (Please specify in next question)

• X (formerly called Twitter)

• Zip Recruiter

• Other (Please specify in next question)

41

If you answered, "Professional Publication/Website" or "Other" to the above question, please indicate below how you learned about this position. Your response to this question will help us in better marketing County jobs. Type NA if not applicable.

Required Question

Employer

County of San Mateo

Address

County of San Mateo Human Resources Department 500 County Center, 4th Floor Redwood City, California, 94063-1663

Phone

View phone number on click.appcast.io

Website

Apply

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