County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision of a registered nurse, to perform para-professional supportive and nursing services in County psychiatric facilities; to act as a group leader in patient activity groups; to assist professional and clerical staff in admission, transfer, and discharge procedures; to recognize, record, and report vital signs and symptoms or physical and mental illness; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Psychiatric Technicians are licensed para-professional nursing staff who assist with the care and treatment of psychiatric patients. They may pass medications under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse. They are expected to perform independently in accordance with therapeutic goals and established policies, procedures, and techniques. At no time do they have the overall responsibility assigned to registered nurses, nor do they make clinical or diagnostic evaluations or interpretations. Psychiatric Technicians may assist in determining daily living activities of patients. In contrast, Nurses Aides concern themselves essentially with the basic living needs of patients.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Plans and leads a variety of activities for an assigned group of patients; may supervise off-unit patient activities in the absence of an Occupational or Recreational Therapist; limits the behavior of overactive patients; implements nursing care plans; and suggests appropriate revisions of nursing care plans.

2. Assists with special treatments such as recreational, occupational, and group therapy, and other procedures ordered by a physician or therapist.

3. May do routine observation and charting of patients' behavior; when instructed, notes specific behavior patterns or symptoms of reaction to drug therapy, and reports such reactions or symptoms to a registered nurse.

4. Assists patients with hygienic care and meals; takes and records vital signs; may participate in unit activities such as rounds, and ward conferences.

5. Assists professional and clerical staff in admission, transfer, and discharge procedures; receives and receipts patients' clothing and valuables; records information from relatives and other significant representatives of the community.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

License:

Possession of a valid license issued by the State of California to practice as a Psychiatric Technician.

Special Requirement:

Must obtain certification in Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) within six months of employment.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

· Communication and interpersonal theories.
· Major psychiatric disorders.
· Group dynamics and group process.
· Components of a therapeutic milieu.
· Self-care theory of patient care.
· Escalating behaviors and the assault cycle.
· Psychopharmacology, including untoward reactions, side effects, prescribed action, dosage and range of medication.
· Basic nutrition, anatomy, and physiology.
· Control and prevention of communicable disease.
· First aid concepts.
· Emergency and routine medical equipment operation.
· Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation techniques.

Ability to:

· Communicate effectively with individuals and groups.
· Articulate clearly patient problems, goals, and nursing interventions in multidisciplinary care plan conferences.
· Legibly document patient behaviors and activities in required charting format.
· Intervene therapeutically with patients in need of physical management of behavior by utilizing physical management training.
· Administer medications.
· Relate to patient in a supportive manner to foster increasing independence.
· Obtain and assess patients vital signs.
· Perform Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation.
· Collaborate with other team members.
· Assess the working order of emergency routine medical equipment.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

Retyped:
1-21-81
Revised: 2/3/87
LB:pb
BG:dj
Rev: 11/94
Old document: 0529h
New document: Jobspecs/5743
ys/7/01
CSC Date: 1/25/95

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.