Psychiatric Technician

This examination is being given to fill multiple vacancies in the Behavioral Health Services Department and to establish an eligible list to fill future vacancies.

Behavioral Health Services (BHS) is a division of San Joaquin County Health Care Services and provides an array of mental health and substance use disorder treatment services, primarily for Medi-Cal beneficiaries in San Joaquin County. The department consists of over 800 employees in the following operational areas:

• Administration
• Adult/Older Adult Services
• Children and Youth Services
• Inpatient and Crisis Services (24 Hour Services)
• Mental Health Forensic Services
• Mental Health Pharmacy
• Mental Health Services
• Substance Abuse Services (Residential and Outpatient Treatment Services)

The Psychiatric Health Facility is a 40 bed inpatient program. This inpatient facility is separated into three suites to provide progressive care designed to meet different treatment needs. Psychiatric interventions are provided on a 24-hour basis to assist individuals in controlling the disabling effects of mental illness or related emotional problems.

Special Requirement:
The Psychiatric Health Facility will perform a background investigation on prospective employees to include criminal background information from State and Federal information banks. All offers of employment are contingent upon passing a pre-employment background check and a pre-employment drug screening.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. A completed application must be postmarked or received online by the final filing deadline.

This position is represented by SEIU bargaining unit and will receive a salary increase of 4% Effective July 2024.

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…