Psychiatric Technician (Safety)

Psychiatric Technician (Safety) Job Description and Duties The Psychiatric Technician (Safety) will be directed by the Unit Supervisor, RN Shift Lead, Senior Psychiatric Technician, or Health Services Specialist depending on the shift / program assigned at the Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero (ASH).

The information below covers the role requirements, expected candidate experience, and accompanying qualifications.

The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties, but not limited to : Help to create a clean, safe and therapeutic environment for patients or inmates.

Apply mental health principles and relationship security with patients or inmates.

Supervise patient activities.

Perform custody tasks including supervision of patient activities.

Shakedown; i.e., searching for drugs, contraband, weapons and inspecting facilities to identify security breaches that could lead to the escape of a patient or inmate.

Observe and intervene in patient behavior that may injure people, damage property or signal impending escape attempts.

Applies and demonstrates knowledge of correct methods in Therapeutic Strategies and Interventions (TSI), that includes patient containment, heavy lifting, applying restraints, and responding to emergency situations throughout the hospital.

Perform nursing procedures such as administering medications including oral medications and hypodermic injection, observing patients or inmates physical condition and behavior and reporting significant changes to a shift supervisor, unit supervisor or physician and recording nursing notes : in the patients or inmate records.

CPR, and following infection control procedures.

In order to be considered for this job vacancy, you must satisfy one of the following requirements : BE LIST ELIGIBLE : Successfully complete the competitive State civil service exam pertaining to this classification at Psychiatric Technician (Safety) Exam Bulletin, OR BE TRANSFER ELIGIBLE : Have current employment with the State of California in the same classification or in a classification that is comparable (employees who wish to be considered based on transfer eligibility must meet the minimum qualifications of the classification per DPA Rule 250), OR BE REINSTATEMENT ELIGIBLE : Have obtained previous permanent employment with the State of California in the same classification or in a classification that is comparable.

Working Conditions This position requires you to work within the Secured Treatment Area (STA).

12 hour shifts and other alternate schedules may be available based on current staffing needs.

There are multiple vacancies for this classification.

Positions filled may be assigned to any shift and any unit according to hospital need.