Placer County

Psychiatric Nurse - I (#14329)

$36.09-$45.08 Hourly / $6,255.60-$7,813.87 Monthly / $75,067.20-$93,766.40 Yearly

Psychiatric Nurse - II (#14330)

$39.79-$49.70 Hourly / $6,896.93-$8,614.67 Monthly / $82,763.20-$103,376.00 Yearly


DEFINITION

To provide professional psychiatric nursing care and other nursing care to emotionally disturbed or mentally ill patients on an inpatient or outpatient basis.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Psychiatric Nurse I
This is the entry level class in the Psychiatric Nurse series.  This class is distinguished from the journey by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series.  Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgement on matters allocated to the journey level.  Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience.  Employees work under general supervision while learning job tasks.

Psychiatric Nurse II
This is the full journey level class within the Psychiatric Nurse series.  This class is distinguished from the Psychiatric Nurse I by the assignment of the full range of duties.  Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit.  Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the entry level.

This class is distinguished from the Supervising Psychiatric Nurse in that the latter provides psychiatric nursing care requiring a high level of skill and independent judgment and exercises direct supervision over subordinate psychiatric nursing staff.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Psychiatric Nurse I
Receives general supervision from assigned management staff or a Supervising Psychiatric Nurse.
 
Psychiatric Nurse II
Receives general supervision from assigned management staff or a Supervising Psychiatric Nurse.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Oversee medication crisis telephone calls and walk-ins; provide assessment of and intervention with clients who are medication-only patients.
  • Provide monitoring of medication-only clients; provide specific medication counseling and education to clients regarding the need, purpose, and effects of prescribed medications.
  • Provide direct medication treatment (under psychiatrist's orders); assist in preparing medication-only treatment plans.
  • Assist in developing a medication education program; assist in developing standards and procedures for medication monitoring by nursing staff; plan and provide in-service training for Division staff as directed.
  • Assess needs/situation of selected new clients and provide case management and supportive therapy through observation, history taking, physical examination, analysis, documentation of findings, and consultation with psychiatrist.
  • Make home visits; make site visits to contracting providers to provide clients with medication supervision and instruction.
  • Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
  • Perform related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Psychiatric Nurse I

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: No professional experience is required.

Training: Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in nursing or a related field.

Required License or Certificate:

  • Possession of a valid license as a Registered Nurse issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing.
  • May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Psychiatric Nurse II

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Two years of responsible professional psychiatric nursing experience performing duties similar to a Psychiatric Nurse I with Placer County.

Training: Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in nursing or a related field.

Required License or Certificate:

  • Possession of a valid license as a Registered Nurse issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing.
  • May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Psychiatric Nurse I

Knowledge of:

  • General and psychiatric nursing principles and practices.
  • General legal and regulatory issues involved in treating the mentally ill.
  • Pharmacology and the use and purpose of psychotropic medications.
  • Crisis intervention and conflict resolution techniques, including management of assaultive behavior.
  • Principles and practices of instruction.

Ability to:

  • On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects, identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical policies and procedures.
  • On an intermittent basis, sit at a desk for long periods of time; intermittently walk, stand, bend, climb, twist and reach while making site visits or making educational presentations.  Intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; use telephone, and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; and lift light weight.
  • Provide professional psychiatric nursing care; administer and handle medications.
  • Provide instruction regarding use, purpose, and side effects of various psychotropic medications.
  • Observe, assess, and record client behavior as related to psychiatric condition/treatment.
  • Provide crisis intervention as necessary.
  • Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
  • Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
  • Obtain information through interview; work fairly and courteously with the public; and work effectively with interruption.
  • Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action.
  • Use a computer, calculator, typewriter, telephone, dictation machine, facsimile machine, postage meter, and photocopy machine.
  • Use nursing care and clinical supplies and equipment, including blood pressure cuff, stethoscope, syringes, and needles.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Psychiatric Nurse II

In addition to the qualifications for Psychiatric Nurse I:

Knowledge of:

  • Mental health procedures and practices relative to the delivery of psychiatric nursing care.
  • Resources available to mentally ill persons.
  • Pertinent local, State and Federal rules, regulations and laws.

Ability to:

  • Independently provide professional psychiatric nursing care; administer and handle medications.
  • Independently observe, assess, and record client behavior as related to psychiatric condition/treatment.
  • Independently provide crisis intervention as necessary.

CLASS: 14329; EST: 9/2/1995; REV: 8/1/2007;
CLASS: 14330; EST: 9/2/1995; REV: 8/1/2007;