DSHS WSH Mental Health Technician

DSHS WSH Mental Health Technician 3

Western State Hospital is seeking professionals who have a passion for helping people with behavioral health challenges. We need your motivational and organizational skills to work with patients. You will provide patient care on a ward under the direction of a Registered Nurse to patients with acute psychiatric and physical illnesses and increased high risk behaviors.

Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs. Opportunities performed on-site at this work location at least three days a week may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary.

The shift for this position is: 6:30AM – 3:00PM Monday through Friday. Flexibility is essential, as hospital needs may require adjustments to your schedule. You may be asked to arrive earlier or stay later based on business needs.

• Supports safety and provides direct nursing care, including but not limited to monitoring and therapeutically responding to patient’s behavior and reporting observations to RN staff
• Completes documentation such as recording and maintaining records of patient’s condition(s)
• Communicates information to the RN regarding changes of condition and clinical information
• Deliver care per treatment plan
• Responsible for the collection and distribution of patient and ward mail
• Provides mentoring, orientation and training of administrative tasks to newly assigned staff to the ward/living unit
• Ensures adequate ward/unit supplies, completes supply inventories, rotates stock to prevent expiration of supplies
• Performs fire drills and safety inspections of ward/living unit in accordance with facility policies and procedures
• Other duties as assigned

• Ability to use de-escalation skills and work independently with patients
• Current Nursing Assistant Certified (NAC) or Nursing Assistant Registration (NAR)
• Strong communication and comprehension skills of both oral and written forms of communication

• A High School Diploma or GED
• Registration as a Nursing Assistant (NAR) or Nursing Assistant Certification (NAC) in Washington State is required
• Three years of experience in a psychiatric or mental health setting

Questions? Please contact alex.baclaan.gov or call the main Talent Acquisition line at  and reference 08326.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring an equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver’s license.

Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information.

Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at . Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or

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