Hybrid Psychiatric Technician II bei County of Santa Clara, CA

About the Department

Under general supervision, performs general and psychiatric nursing care to mentally ill or emotionally disturbed patients, including the administering of medication in an acute services or health center setting.

This recruitment will be used to fill any current or future vacancies as needed per department. There are currently three (3) departments that have this classification, Custody Health Services, Behavioral Health, and Santa Clara County Health and Hospital System. 

Custody Health Services (CHS) provides medical, mental health, and dental services to patients in custody at the 3 County Jail facilities: Main Jail, Elmwood and Juvenile Detention facilities. CHS provides on-site routine and urgent/emergent medical services at both Main Jail and Elmwood adult detention facilities in Santa Clara County.  Health care of incarcerated men and women includes care of acute and chronic illness as well as preventative and specialty care.  CHS also runs a 39 single-bed acute psychiatric inpatient housing unit at the Main Jail. The services are provided for adult male and female patients who require acute inpatient services for stabilization.  Juvenile Custody Health provides integrated medical services to justice involved youth housed in Juvenile Hall and in James Ranch to include comprehensive pediatric medical, mental health, and dental care.
 
Some positions may require to work in a locked facility, which requires passing a background check for security clearance.

The County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services Department (BHSD) strives to be a premier integrated behavioral health care provider, employer, and partner.  We are a passionate team of caring, courageous staff and professionals dedicated to transforming the lives of individuals, children, families, and older adults impacted by mental health and substance use challenges.  To support achievement of their hopes, dreams, and quality of life goals, our team provides high quality whole-person care and comprehensive community-based behavioral services through the lens of race, equity, diversity and inclusion.  We are looking for stellar health care professionals like you to start a rewarding career with us and be a partner for health and wellness in the community.

Position Duties

Acute Services Setting:

• Evaluates patient behavior and initiates therapeutic interventions.
   
• Assists in arranging, coordinating and may lead in providing a variety of therapy techniques such as assertive behavior training, role training and primary process and life skills groups.
   
• Assumes lead function of staff members in controlling physically aggressive and/or resistive patients in order to avoid destructive behavior and prevent injuries.
   
• Initiates patient care duties such as admitting, orienting, discharging, taking vital signs, and assisting with meals.
   
• Maintains records pertaining to patient care.
   
• Accompanies patients to designated areas.
   
• Assists patients in developing or maintaining a well-groomed appearance.

• Responds to requests from community agencies or individuals for mental health evaluations at the centers or through home visits.
   
• Interviews patients and other appropriate persons to determine if patient is in need of voluntary or involuntary psychiatric hospitalization and to identify appropriate treatment services.
   
• Refers patients to appropriate community agencies for treatment and/or assistance.
   
• Provides short term crisis consultation to families, community agencies and the public as required.
   
• Provides follow-up of high risk cases.
   
• Maintains effective relations with local police departments, County departments and other agencies.
   
• May act as co-therapist with individuals and groups previously treated.
  In addition to the tasks described above:
   
• To serve as role model for less experienced personnel and in this way teach more adaptive and efficient means of interacting with disturbed patients and families.
   
• Provides short term crisis consultation to families, community agencies and the public as required.
   
• Administers oral and subcutaneous and intra-muscular medications under the direction of a Physician.
   
• Orients and trains other staff as required.
   
• Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Possession of a valid license to practice as a Psychiatric Technician issued by the California Board of Vocational Nurse and Psychiatric. Technician Examiners and sufficient experience involving a variety of treatment techniques applied to the acutely mentally ill as a Psychiatric Technician, including substantial experience in the administration of medications and group process. Possession of a valid California driver's license may be required.

Experience Note: This employment standard normally represents two years of experience in a Health Care setting, with duties comparable to a Psychiatric Technician I in Santa Clara County.

Knowledge of:

• Leadership in crisis situations;
   
• Practical nursing techniques and their application;
   
• Techniques of physical control and protection;
   
• Behavior patterns of persons with symptoms of emotional disturbance or mental illness;
   
• Reaction, contra-indications and responses to common psychiatric medications;
   
• Medical and psychiatric emergency procedures;
   
• Basic principles and techniques of psychotherapy used in the treatment of psychiatric patients;
   
• Community resources for appropriate referral of patients.

• Act as a leader in crisis situations;
   
• Administer oral and subcutaneous medications;
   
• Apply basic nursing care principles and procedures in the evaluation and treatment of psychiatric patients;
   
• Exercise judgment in recognizing symptoms indicative of adverse patient reactions;
   
• Respond to psychiatric emergencies with appropriate intervention;
   
• Ability to work effectively as a member of the treatment team;
   
• Maintain accurate records;
   
• Analyze situations accurately and take effective action;
   
• Speak before individuals and groups;
   
• Apply a reasonable degree of physical exertion occasionally in restraining over-active patients.