Senior Psychiatric Technician

This position is a full-time role in the Behavioral Health Services department. Applications will be accepted continuously to fill current and future vacancies.

About the Role

This examination is being conducted to fill one vacancy and establish an eligible list for future openings. Candidates must pass a pre-employment drug screen and background investigation as a condition of employment.

Responsibilities

• Participate as a member of a treatment team in developing and implementing individual and group treatment programs for patients.
• Develop, supervise, and encourage participation in group and individual program activities; assist therapists in therapy programs; may lead therapy groups.
• Observe patients' physical condition and behavior; audit clinical records; monitor patient activities; evaluate progress; report significant changes to professional staff; record clinical notes.
• Assist patients with feeding, habit training, and daily living activities; maintain clean living areas; protect patients from personal injury; motivate self-reliance.
• Monitor and administer medications and treatments, including injections, catheterizations, enemas, and oral medications; take and chart vital signs.
• Consult with families, care providers, and agencies to ensure continuity of care; assist in handling patient behavior.
• Admit and orient patients to inpatient facilities; dispense medication for new patients; act as Court liaison; may serve as shift supervisor.
• Order supplies, maintain records, and prepare reports.
• Participate in in-service training programs.

Requirements

• 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.
• Two years of experience as a psychiatric technician or mental health technician in a mental health facility.
• Successful completion of a background investigation, including criminal background checks from State and Federal information banks.

Knowledge

• Basic concepts of mental illness and mental health.
• Physical, emotional, and social needs of emotionally disordered individuals.
• Fundamentals of psychiatric terminology.
• Principles and techniques involved in the care and treatment of mentally ill or emotionally disturbed patients.

Abilities

• Train others in performing duties in a mental health unit.
• Apply routine psychiatric nursing care to 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, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Physical and Mental Requirements

• Mobility: Occasional operation of computers and driving; frequent walking, pushing/pulling, and bending/squatting.
• Lifting: Constantly lift 5 pounds or less; frequently lift up to 70 pounds.
• Vision: Constant overall vision, color/depth perception, eye-hand coordination, and peripheral vision; frequent reading and close-up work.
• Dexterity: Constant repetitive motion, writing, holding, reaching, and grasping.
• Hearing/Talking: Constant hearing normal speech, talking in person, and 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.
• Environmental Conditions: Constant exposure to noise, dirt, dust, smoke, fumes, poor ventilation, cold, heat, and hazardous materials.
• Special Requirement: Constant exposure to assaultive behavior.

Pay

Approximate salary range: $5,600.42 - $6,807.34 per month.

Benefits

• Health Insurance: Choice of three plans (Kaiser, Select, Premier); dependent coverage available at employee expense.
• Dental Insurance: Choice of two plans (Delta Dental, United Health Care-Select Managed Care Direct Compensation Plan); no cost for employee-only coverage; dependent coverage at employee expense.
• Vision Insurance: Coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP); no cost for employee-only coverage; dependent coverage at employee expense.
• Life Insurance: Coverage based on years of service:
  • 1 but less than 3 years: $1,000
  • 3 but less than 5 years: $3,000
  • 5 but less than 10 years: $5,000
  • 10+ years: $10,000
  Additional term life insurance may be purchased at the group rate.
• 125 Flexible Benefits Plan: Voluntary program for pre-tax dollars to pay for health-related expenses not covered by insurance (Health Flexible Spending Account: $2,550 annual limit with $500 carryover) and dependent care costs (Dependent Care Assistance Plan: $5,000 annual limit).
• Retirement Plan: Covered by the County Retirement Law of 1937; visit SJCERA for details.
• Deferred Compensation: Plan under Section 457 of the IRS code; annual contribution limit of $22,500 (or 100% of includible compensation, whichever is less). Individuals age 50+ may contribute up to $30,000. Roth IRA (after-tax) also available.
• Vacation:
  • Up to 3 years: 10 days/year
  • After 3 years: 15 days/year
  • After 10 years: 20 days/year
  • After 20 years: 23 days/year
• Holidays: 14 paid holidays per year (effective July 1, 2017).
• Sick Leave: 12 working days annually with unlimited accumulation; eligible for 8 hours of administrative leave if leave balance is at least half of cumulative accrual and employee is on payroll for the entire calendar year.
• Bereavement Leave: 3 days of paid leave for the death of a qualifying family member; 2 additional days of accrued leave for the death of a spouse, domestic partner, parent, or child.
• Merit Salary Increase: New employees start at the first step of the salary range; eligible for a merit increase to the next step after 52 weeks (2,080 hours) at each step.
• Educational Reimbursement Program: Reimbursement for career-related coursework up to $850 per fiscal year; up to $800 per semester (max $1,600 per fiscal year) for approved 4-year college/university programs.
• Parking Supplemental: County contributes up to $20 per pay period for employees who pay for parking and work in the Downtown Core Area.
• School Activities Leave: Up to 40 hours per year (max 8 hours per month) to participate in children’s school activities.