Psychiatric Technician

This recruitment is being conducted to fill part-time positions in the Behavioral Health Services department.  Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. A completed application must be postmarked or received online by the final filing deadline.

Department:  Behavioral Health Services
Main campus:  1212 N California St, Stockton, CA 95203
Website:  www.sjgov.org/mhs
Work Schedule:  Positions assigned to the 24-hour services may require working rotating shifts.  This work schedule includes nights, weekends, and holidays.
Position Type:  Part-time
Supplement:  Positions regularly assigned to direct patient care in the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU), Crisis or the Psychiatric Health Facility (PHF) receive a 5% supplement.

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.

Pre-employment Drug Screening:  Potential new hires into this classification are required to successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen as a condition of employment.  Final appointment cannot be made unless the eligible has passed the drug screen.  The County pays for the initial drug screen

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.

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.

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 long periods of time and driving; frequent walking, pushing/pulling and bending/squatting; Lifting-Ability to constantly lift 5 pounds or less and frequently up to 70 pounds; Vision-Constant overall vision, color/depth and eye hand coordination and peripheral vision; frequent reading and close-up work; Dexterity-Constant repetitive motion, writing, holding, reaching, grasping and writing; Hearing/Talking-Constant hearing normal speech, talking in person, talking on the telephone/radio; Emotional/Special Conditions-Constant decision making, public contact, concentration, working weekends/nights or overtime, exposure to trauma, grief and death; frequent working alone; Environment Conditions-Constant exposure to noise, dirt, dust, smoke, fumes, poor ventilation, cold, heat and hazardous materials;  Special Requirement-Constant exposure to assaultive behavior.

Applicants for part-time and temporary recruitments who meet the minimum qualifications are either referred to the hiring department for further selection or they may be required to take a written examination.  If a written examination is given, the top candidates may be referred to the hiring department for further selection.

Testing Accommodation:  Candidates who require testing accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) must call Human Resources Division at (209) 468-3370 prior to the examination date. 

Physical Exam:  Some classifications require physical examinations.  Final appointment cannot be made until the eligible has passed the physical examination.  The County pays for physical examinations administered in its medical facilities.

Pre-employment Drug Screening Exam:  Some classifications require a new employee successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen as a condition of employment.  Final appointment cannot be made until the eligible has passed the drug screen.  The County pays for the initial drug screen. 

Employment of Relatives: Applicants who are relatives of employees in a department within the 3rd degree of relationship, (parent, child, grandparent, grandchild or sibling) either by blood or marriage, may not be appointed, promoted, transferred into or within the department when:

• They are related to the Appointing Authority, or

• The employment would result in one of them supervising the work of the other

Department Heads may establish additional limitations on the hiring of relatives by departmental rule.

Proof of Eligibility:  If you are offered a job, you will be required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship or other documents that establish your eligibility to be employed in the U.S.