Psychiatric Technician (#RH2501)
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$28.88-$35.11 Hourly / $5,006.02-$6,084.85 Monthly / $60,072.34-$73,018.30 Yearly

Under general supervision, performs para-professional psychiatric nursing services in the care and treatment of mentally ill or emotionally disturbed patients; and does related or other work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3 of the Civil Service Rules.

This is the entry-level class in the Psychiatric Technician series. An employee in this class is responsible for participating as member of a treatment team providing physical and psychiatric care for Mental Health patients in a variety of treatment programs. Supervision is received from professional medical, clinical, or nursing staff. This class is distinguished from Senior Psychiatric Technician in that incumbents of the latter class perform more complex tasks requiring more experience and skill.

• Participates as a member of a treatment team in developing and implementing individual and group treatment programs for patients.
• Provides professional general and psychiatric nursing care to patients; monitors patient activities; assists patients to follow prescribed treatment plans.
• Observes patients' physical conditions and behavior; evaluates patient progress; reports significant changes to professional staff; records clinical notes on patients.
• Assists patients with feeding, habit training; keeps living areas clean; protects patients from personal injury; motivates patients to develop self-reliance in daily living.
• Monitors and administers medications and treatment, including hypodermic injections, catheterizations, enemas and oral medications; takes and charts temperatures, pulse and respiration; assists families and care providers in monitoring and administering medications.
• Admits and orients patients to inpatient facilities; acts as Court liaison through and admission process.
• Counsels family; explains patient's illness, medications and treatment; assists family to prepare for patient's discharge.
• Orders supplies, keeps records, and prepares reports.
• Participates in in-service training programs.

License: Completion of an accredited training program for Psychiatric Technician is required for entrance to testing. Possession of a valid license as a Psychiatric Technician issued by the Board of Vocational Nurse and Psychiatric Technician examiners of the State of California is required prior to employment.

Basic concepts of mental illness and mental health; the physical, emotional and social needs of emotionally disordered individuals; fundamentals of psychiatric terminology; principles and techniques involved in the care and treatment of individual or groups of mentally ill, or emotionally disturbed patients.

Apply routine psychiatric nursing care to mentally ill or emotionally disturbed patients; recognize symptoms indicative of adverse patient reactions; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; participate in treatment programs for patients; understand and follow written and oral directions; express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Mobility-Occasional operation of computers, sitting for long periods of time and driving; frequent walking, pushing/pulling and bending/squatting; Lifting-Ability to constantly lift 5 pounds or less and frequently up to 70 pounds; Vision-Constant overall vision, color/depth and eye hand coordination and peripheral vision; frequent reading and close-up work; Dexterity-Constant repetitive motion, writing, holding, reaching, grasping and writing; Hearing/Talking-Constant hearing normal speech, talking in person, talking on the telephone/radio; Emotional/Special Conditions-Constant decision making, public contact, concentration, working weekends/nights or overtime, exposure to trauma, grief and death; frequent working alone; Environment Conditions-Constant exposure to noise, dirt, dust, smoke, fumes, poor ventilation, cold, heat and hazardous materials; Special Requirement-Constant exposure to assaultive behavior.