Psychiatric Technician I/II/III

About the role

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).

Responsibilities

• 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;
• Serves as first point of contact for clients discharged from psychiatric facilities to orient them to County behavioral health services;
• Verifies client information, including medical history and medication needs;
• Responds to client questions and concerns;
• 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;
• Collaborates with clinicians and medical professionals from the Alcohol and Drug Program (ADP) to ensure their clients are medication compliant;
• Maintains accurate records and files;
• Documents client progress and procedures performed.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to a an Associate’s degree from an accredited educational institution with major coursework in nursing, psychology, or a related field and Psychiatric Technician I: One (1) year of experience performing medication management duties.
• Psychiatric Technician II: Two (2) years of medication program support for behavioral health clients at a level equivalent to the County’s class of Psychiatric Technician.
• Possession of license as a Psychiatric Technician or Licensed Vocational Nurse in the State of California.

Skills

• 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, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Benefits

Not specified.

Pay

• Salary range for Level I: $1,794.40 - $2,404.80 biweekly ($22.43 - $30.06 per hour).
• Salary range for Level II: $1,982.40 - $2,656.00 biweekly ($24.78 - $32.20 per hour).
• Salary range for Level III: $2,189.60 - $2,934.40 biweekly ($27.37 - $36.68 per hour).

Schedule

Not specified.