Psychiatric Technician I/II/III

Psychiatric Technician

This classification is scheduled to receive a 5% COLA effective July 2027.

The eligibility list created from this recruitment will be used to fill regular help vacancies, as well as extra help. Extra Help means this may be a Part-Time or Non-Permanent position. The number of hours worked per week may vary and depend on the needs of the department. For terms and conditions concerning Extra Help with Butte County, see Section 6.13c of the Butte County Personnel Rules. This recruitment is for Level I, Level II and III. The salary range for level I is $1,794.40 - $2,404.80 biweekly ($22.43 - $30.06 per hour). The salary range for level II is $1,982.40 - $2,656.00 biweekly ($24.78 - $32.20 per hour). The salary range for level III is $2,189.60 - $2,934.40 biweekly ($27.37 - $36.68 per hour). FLSA: Non-Exempt

Under close supervision (Psychiatric Technician I), general supervision (Psychiatric Technician II) or supervision (Psychiatric Technician III), provides medication management support to clients; collaborates with other medical staff and interdisciplinary health treatment teams to implement treatment plans and reports on impact of medications; may serve as first point of contact for clients discharged from psychiatric facilities to orient them to County behavioral health services; and performs related duties as assigned.

Receives supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

Psychiatric Technician I: This is an entry-level classification in the Psychiatric Technician series. Positions at this level learn duties as assigned, working under close supervision. This class is distinguished from the Psychiatric Technician II in that the latter performs the full range of work assigned to the series.

Psychiatric Technician II: This is the journey-level classification in the Psychiatric Technician series. Positions at this level perform the full range of duties assigned, working independently and exercising judgment and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. This class is distinguished from the Psychiatric Technician III in that the latter performs the more complex work assigned to the series.

Psychiatric Technician III: This is the advanced journey-level classification in the psychiatric technician series responsible for performing the most complex work related to providing medication management and nursing services to behavioral health clients. Incumbents regularly work on tasks which are varied and complex, requiring considerable discretion and independent judgement. Positions in the classification rely on experience and judgement to perform assigned duties. Assignments are given with general guidelines and incumbents are responsible for establishing objectives, timelines, and methods to deliver services. Work is typically reviewed upon completion for soundness, appropriateness, and conformity to policy and requirements. Positions in the Psychiatric Technician class series are flexibly staffed; positions at the II- and III-levels may be filled by advancement from the I- and II-levels, respectively; progression to the II-level is dependent on (i) management affirmation that the position is performing the full range of duties assigned to the classification; (ii) satisfactory work performance; (iii) the incumbent meeting the minimum qualifications for the classification including any licenses and certifications; and (iv) management approval for progression to the II-level.

Essential Job Functions

Examples of typical job functions

• Under the direction of clinical staff, provides medication management services to behavioral health clients; ensures the proper acquisition and administration of medication; may travel to outpatient clinics, residences, transitional housing, inmate facilities, or other locations to work with clients.
• Serves as initial point of contact for clients who have been discharged from a psychiatric health facility; orients clients to the County's behavioral health services; verifies client information, including medical history and medication needs; responds to client questions and concerns.
• Performs nursing procedures such as administering medications and treatments, including oral medications, hypodermic injections, and charting temperature, pulse and respiration; observes patients' conditions and behavior; reports significant changes to unit supervisor or physician and records nursing notes on patients; gives first aid as needed.
• Collaborates with clinical staff to process new prescriptions and refills; works with insurance companies to obtain approvals; writes medical justifications to have prescriptions approved, as necessary; works with clinical staff and insurance companies to determine options when prescriptions are denied.
• Collects, organizes, and delivers medications to clients; provides education and training to clients, their families, and/or staff on the proper care and use of medications, including symptoms of, reaction to, or side effects of, specific medications; informs clients of the impact of abuse and/or misuse of medications.
• Conducts medication checks on clients to assess their overall medication management capabilities; takes appropriate action if client poses danger with respect to the use or abuse of medication; orders laboratory tests needed to assess efficacy of medication and client vital signs as needed.
• Serves as part of a full-service treatment team comprised of clinicians and other team members; updates team on medication changes, concerns, side effects, and other important client information; keeps clients stable and medication compliant with the treatment goal of improving overall life functionality.
• Performs crisis intervention for walk-in clients or non-clients; evaluates individuals to identify level of stable behavior; provides support and assistance in problem resolution; coordinates or arranges for the provision of appropriate care services.
• Serves as an advocate for clients with internal and external medical professionals; accompanies clients to medical and clinician appointments and provides support/information as needed and appropriate.
• Collaborates with clinicians and medical professionals from the Alcohol and Drug Program (ADP) to ensure their clients are medication compliant; updates ADP staff on medication changes and violations and works with them to formulate a strategy for client progress toward goal completion.
• Maintains accurate records and files; documents client progress and procedures performed.
• Adheres to the confidentiality standards of the Privacy Act of 1974 (U.S.C. § 552a), as amended.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive behavioral health program with respect to the intervention and treatment of clients.
• Principles and practices of case management for behavioral health clients, including client charting and process documentation.
• Pharmacological understanding of the proper use and effectiveness of medications, including contra-indications, side effects, and probability of addiction or dependency.
• Methods and techniques of observing clients for negative reactions to medications, or addictive/dependency outcomes, and courses of action to treat same.
• Medical and psychiatric terminology.
• Methods and techniques of performing crisis intervention assessments, and identification of options for mitigation/management.
• Insurance and pharmacy processes for ordering and procuring needed medications for clients.
• Methods and techniques of conducting client interviews and eliciting needed information.
• Evolving trends and strategies in medication management.
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility including confidentiality laws and the permitted use of medical records
• Methods and techniques of conducting research.
• Principles and practices of complex documentation preparation and recordkeeping.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability To:

• Provide medication management services to a diverse range of clients with behavioral health disorders.
• Administer medications and observe, record, and report their effects.
• Effectively contribute to assigned team discussions on client treatment and progress.
• Work collaboratively with medical professionals, pharmacies, and insurance companies to obtain needed client medications.
• Observe client behavior to determine whether intervention is needed, or to identify negative reactions to medications.
• Respond to crisis intervention situations and client emergencies in a calm and effective manner.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Prepare clear and concise client progress reports and other written material.
• Document and maintain complex client records and files, including client medical histories.
• Independently organize work