FILING PERIOD: Continuous

TENTATIVE EXAMINATION DATE: TBA

This examination is being given to fill one vacancy in the Mental Health Services and to establish an eligible list to fill future vacancies.

TYPICAL DUTIES: The Chief Psychiatric Technician serves as a shift supervisor at a 24-hour psychiatric facility, participates in the hiring, training, evaluation and discipline of Psychiatric Technicians, Senior Psychiatric Technicians, Mental Health Specialists and other para-professionals who provide services to mentally ill and emotionally disturbed patients; consults with physicians, nurses, and social workers about patient treatment plans, medications and general behavior and welfare. Recommends modifications to treatment plans; authorizes emergency placement in restraints pending physician approval and emergency medications prescribed on an as-needed basis. Apprises physicians of sudden changes in patient behavior requiring alteration of medications or other orders and notes telephone orders; ensures staff compliance with legal rights of patients. May advise patient or family of patient’s rights; monitors and administers medications and treatments, and patient’s response to them; authorizes modification to treatment plan pending physician approval; consults with families, care providers, staff of convalescent hospitals and other agencies as liaison to provide for continuity of care; assists care providers and others in handling patient behavior.

License: Possession of a valid license as a Psychiatric Technician issued by the Board of Vocational Nurses and Psychiatric Technician examiners of the State of California. Copy of license must be attached.

Experience: Three years equivalent to Senior Psychiatric Technician in the San Joaquin County Mental Health Services.

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.

Knowledge of: Methods and techniques of supervision and training; concepts of mental illness and mental health; the physical, emotional and social needs of emotionally disordered individuals; psychiatric and mental health nursing; medical and psychiatric terminology; medications used in treatment of mental illness and their contraindications and side effects.

Ability to: Supervise and train others in the performance of their duties in a mental health unit; recognize symptoms indicative of adverse patient reactions; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; express ideas clearly and concisely both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Physical and Mental Requirements: Mobility; Occasional operation of key board, 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, 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.