Mental Health Worker

Salary : $59,718.88 - $71,978.40 Annually
Location : Throughout the County of Santa Clara, CA
Job Type: Full-Time/Part-Time
Job Number: 26-S9S-A
Department: County-Wide Recruitment
Opening Date: 07/30/2026
Closing Date: 8/13/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 01


Description
Under the supervision, of a registered nurse (RN) or Program Specialist, assists professional staff in coordinating and providing care to individuals with an acute or persistent mental disorder or with co-occurring disorders.

NOTE: applicants who meet the employment standards will be invited to take an online exam tentatively scheduled for the week of August 25, 2026.

The Eligible List created from this recruitment will be used for current and future openings.

Mental Health Workers may qualify to receive additional Hazard Duty Pay and/or evening/night shift hourly differentials depending on the position.

Typical Tasks

• Takes routine temperature, pulse and respiration of patients;
  
  
• Assists and encourages patients with the basic activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, positioning, lifting or other essential needs;
  
  
• May provide total care, as necessary under direction of a RN;
  
  
• As a member of a multidisciplinary team, and in compliance with approved techniques, intervenes in crisis situations by identification, prevention, early intervention, and if indicated, containment of assaultive behaviors in accordance with County training provided to Mental Health Workers;
  
  
• Reports changes in physical condition and/or behavior of patients to the RN;
  
  
• Monitors and records patient activities, maintains special observations and precautions;
  
  
• Engages patients in individual and/or group activities and conversation;
  
  
• Assists in orienting new patients to the unit;
  
  
• Monitors the milieu for safety; reports any unsafe conditions to a RN;
  
  
• Searches patient belongings for contraband upon admission, and/or as directed;
  
  
• Accompanies patients to on-site appointments;
  
  
• Maintains patient confidentiality;
  
  
• May arrange transportation for discharged patients;
  
  
• May maintain visitors log and coordinate patient visits;
  
  
• May order and restock supplies and maintain supply sign-out log;
  
  
• May update, maintain and provide community resources to patients, visitors and family members;
  
  
• Obtains and delivers specimens to laboratory for analysis;
  
  
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;
  
  
• Performs other related work as required.

Employment Standards
Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent and one (1) year of experience providing patient care in an in-patient acute or sub-acute psychiatric facility.
College course work in Sociology and Psychology is desirable.
Possession of a CPR for the Professional Rescuer Card before completion of Acute Psychiatric Services orientation.

Knowledge of:

• Nursing practices and the various types of materials and equipment related to patient care and their application;
  
  
• Basic social and psychological needs, problems, attitudes and behavior patterns related to persistent and acute mental disorders;
  
  
• Effective communication and customer service techniques.

Ability to:

• Perform a variety of routine patient care services and administer simple treatments;
  
  
• Read, write, spell and speak in English;
  
  
• Communicate effectively with patients, and establish/maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work;
  
  
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions;
  
  
• Demonstrate concern, compassion and respect to patients and deliver excellent customer service;
  
  
• Stand and walk for long periods, sitting infrequently, and exercise a moderate amount of physical exertion consistent with containment of behavioral aggression;
  
  
• Lift, carry, push and/or pull 50 pounds;
  
  
• Frequently reach and bend above and below waist level;
  
  
• Exercise manual dexterity in the handling of patients or equipment;
  
  
• Contribute to a positive work environment and work effectively and respectfully as part of a team in providing patient care;
  
  
• Follow the appropriate chain of command, addressing disagreements calmly and positively outside the immediate patient environment;
  
  
• Maintain a professional attitude, demeanor and appearance, including appropriate dress and proper identification;
  
  
• Cope with and perform in a locked, therapeutic psychiatric environment;
  
  
• Maintain simple records.

The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more


The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.

In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.

Retirement Benefits
The County offers robust retirement plans including a (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.

Health Flexible Spending Account
The empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
The enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the , an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.

Life and AD&D
The County offers life and disability benefits including , Insurance, These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.

Employee Wellness
The offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.

Education Reimbursement
A generous program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.

NOTE : Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.

Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.
01


Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED and is an integral part of the recruitment evaluation process.
Your answers can be used during the initial Pass/Fail review stage and in the subsequent competitive assessment for candidates moving forward in the examination process.
Answers must be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted once exam evaluation has begun. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem an application incomplete and the application will be rejected.
When prompted to describe your work experience, please include a detailed description for each employer referenced, including the following details:
a) Employer name
b) Job title & assigned unit

c) Dates of employment

d) Hours worked per week

e) Description of relevant work performed

Do you understand the requirement to provide complete answers?

• Yes
• No

02


What is the highest level of education you have completed ?

• None
• High School or GED equivalent
• College (1 to 29 semester units / 1 to 44 quarter units)
• College (30 to 59 semester units / 45 to 89 quarter units)
• College (60 to 89 semester units / 90 to 134 quarter units)
• College (90 to 119 semester units / 135 to 179 quarter units)
• College (120 or more semester units / 180 or more quarter units)
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree

03


Describe college course work completed in the field(s) of Sociology and/or Psychology. If none, enter N/A.
Include name of institution, dates attended, and course title with description.
04


Please identify the psychiatric facility where you are currently working. If none, please select N/A.

• San Jose Behavioral Health
• Fremont Hospital
• Momentum for Health
• Crestwood Behavioral Health
• Villa Victoria Mental Health Facility
• Embark Behavioral Health
• Telecare Corporation
• California Health Care Facility
• National Psychiatric Care and Rehabilitation Services
• Santa Clara Valley Medical Center Health System
• Other
• N/A

05


How many years of full-time work experience do you have providing patient care in an inpatient acute or sub-acute psychiatric facility ?

• No experience
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine to less than ten years
• Ten years or more

06


Which of the psychiatric facilities in your application provided you with your patient care experience as described in questions four and five above. The inpatient facility should provide acute or sub-acute psychiatric care.
Confirm the following details:
a) Psychiatric facility & job title held
b) Assigned unit/population
c) Dates of employment
d) Hours worked per week
07


Describe the routine patient care duties you performed in the inpatient psychiatric facility described in questions four through six above.
Confirm the following details:
a) Psychiatric facility
b) Job title
b) Dates of assigned duties
c) Nursing practices and materials/equipment used during routine patient care services and simple treatment administration
08


This position requires possession of the CPR for the Professional Rescuer Card before completion of Acute Psychiatric Services orientation. Do you understand and agree to obtain and maintain this certification prior to orientation?

• Yes
• No

09


Indicate the shift/position(s) you are willing to work.
Select all that apply. Your responses may determine whether or not you are referred for a specific department/position.

• Day shift
• Swing shift
• Night shift
• Weekend shift
• 0.5 FTE, 20 hours per week
• 0.7 FTE, 28 hours per week
• 0.75 FTE, 30 hours per week
• 0.8 FTE, 32 hours per week
• 0.9 FTE, 36 hours per week
• 1.0 FTE, 40 hours per week

10


How did you find out/hear about this job?

• In Person Job Fair
• Contacted by County Recruiter
• Email Newsletter
• Virtual Event
• Community Event
• Social Media: Facebook or Instagram
• County of Santa Clara Job Interests Email Notification
• Student Career Center
• Handshake
• Professional Association
• Contacted by an External Staffing Firm
• Hospital Website
• Search Engine (Google, Bing, online search, etc.)
• Governmentjobs.com
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Employee Referral: Friends, Families and Coworkers
• County of Santa Clara Career Website
• Other (Specify in the next question)

11


How did you find out about this job? If "Other" is selected: Please describe how you heard about this job.
Required Question