Psychiatric Technician I

Salary : $74,565.92 - $90,047.36 AnnuallyLocation : San Jose Metropolitan Area, CAJob Type: Full-TimeJob Number: 25-S88-ADepartment: County-Wide RecruitmentOpening Date: 08/14/2025Closing Date: 8/28/2025 11:59 PM PacificBargaining Unit: 01 Description Under direct supervision, performs a basic level of general and psychiatric nursing care to mentally ill or emotionally disturbed patients 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. Typical Tasks Interacts in a therapeutic manner with patients.Observes, evaluates, and records patient behavior and reports on any unusual conditions.Encourages patient participation in and co-leads recreational and other group activities.Carries out patient care duties such as admitting, orienting, discharging, taking vital signs, and assisting with meals.Administers medications and treatments as allowed by Licensure regulations.Keeps records pertaining to patient care.Accompanies patients to designated areas to carry out treatment and activities.Assists in maintaining cleanliness and safety of treatment environment.Assists patients in developing and maintaining a well-groomed appearance.Participates in group sessions and patient care rounds.Assists in preventing patients from injuring themselves or others.Responds to needs of family members and visitors in treatment area.Assists in ordering, dispensing, storing, and maintaining supplies in the facility.May be assigned to mental health evaluations in the field.Performs other related work as required. Employment Standards Possession of a valid license as a psychiatric technician issued by the California State Board of Vocational Nurse and Psychiatric Technician Examiners. Possession of a valid California driver's license may be required.Knowledge of:Practical nursing techniques and their application;Standard practices used in caring for the mentally ill or emotionally disturbed, including typical behavior patterns with symptoms of mental illness;Common psychiatric medications.Ability to: Administer oral and subcutaneous medications;Recognize basic physical and mental symptoms;Apply routine general and psychiatric nursing care to mentally ill or emotionally disturbed patients;Exercise patience while interacting with patients;Exercise judgment in recognizing basic symptoms indicative of adverse patient reactions;Work effectively as a member of a treatment team;Understand and follow written and oral instructions;Get along well with others;Express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing;Physically restrain patients.The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.Retirement BenefitsThe County offers robust retirement plans including a (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.Health Flexible Spending AccountThe empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)The enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the , an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.Life and AD&DThe County offers life and disability benefits including , Insurance, These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.Employee Assistance Program (EAP)The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.Employee WellnessThe offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.Education ReimbursementA generous program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.NOTE: Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.01 (REQUIRED) Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to determine minimum qualifications. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating evaluation has begun. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete. Include a detailed description of your work experience in the following format for EACH employer referenced, in each answer: a) Employer name(s) b) Job title(s) c) Start/end dates of employment d) Total hours worked per week e) Description of task(s) performedDo you understand the requirement to provide complete answers in order to determine relevant experience for each area in question? Yes No 02 Do you have possession of a valid license to practice as a Psychiatric Technician issued by the California Board of Vocational Nurse and Psychiatric? If yes, enter the licensure information in the Certificate and License section or the application, and upload a copy of your license. Failure to do so will result in disqualification of moving forward in the recruitment. Yes No 03 Please provide your valid Psychiatric Technician license number and expiration date, as issued by the California Board of Vocational Nurse and Psychiatric Technician Examiners. Attach proof of current license to your application. 04 How many years of experience do you possess working as a Psychiatric Technician? None Less than one year One to less than two years Two to less than three years Three to less than four years Four to less than five years Five to less than six years Six to less than seven years Seven to less than eight years Eight to less than nine years Nine to less than ten yeas Ten or more years 05 Describe your experience working as a Psychiatric Technician.Include 1) experience involving various treatment techniques applied to patients and 2) experience in the administration of medications and group processes.In your response, include the name of employer(s), job title(s), dates of employment, number of hours worked per week, and job duties. If none, please indicate "N/A." 06 Do you have experience evaluating behavior patterns of persons with symptoms of emotional disturbance or mental illness? Yes No 07 Describe your experience evaluating behavior patterns of persons with symptoms of emotional disturbance or mental illness.In your response, include the name of employer(s), job title(s), dates of employment, number of hours worked per week, and job duties. If none, please indicate "N/A." 08 Do you have experience assessing clients for 5150 holds? Yes No 09 Describe your experience assessing clients for 5150 holds. In your response, include the name of employer(s), job title(s), dates of employment, number of hours worked per week, and job duties. If none, please indicate "N/A." 10 Do you have experience providing injections for patients? Yes No 11 Describe your experience providing injections for patients.In your response, include the name of employer(s), job title(s), dates of employment, number of hours worked per week, and job duties. If none, please indicate "N/A." 12 Do you have experience assisting psychiatrists with prior medication authorizations? Yes No 13 Describe your experience assisting psychiatrists with prior medication authorizations.In your response, include the name of employer(s), job title(s), dates of employment, number of hours worked per week, and job duties. If none, please indicate "N/A." 14 Do you have experience assisting psychiatrists with the REMS system and clozapine? Yes No 15 Describe your experience assisting psychiatrists with the REMS system and clozapine.In your response, include the name of employer(s), job title(s), dates of employment, number of hours worked per week, and job duties. If none, please indicate "N/A." 16 Some positions may require you to work in a locked facility i.e. jail or psychiatric facility, which requires passing a background check for security clearance. Are you willing to work in this environment and agree to this requirement? Yes No 17 CERTIFICATION Do you certify that all of the statements made on this form are true, complete and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief and are made in good faith? Do you understand that you may be expected to substantiate these self-ratings if invited to interview for this position? Yes No 18 How did you find out about this job? Contacted by County Recruiter Contacted by a Recruitment Firm County Employee Referral County of Santa Clara Career Website County of Santa Clara Job Interests Email Notification Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Indeed Virtual Job Fair In Person Job Fair In-Person Networking Professional Event Virtual Networking Event Community Event Glassdoor Governmentjobs.com Professional Association Search Engine (Google, Bing, online search, etc.) Hospital Website: SCVMC, O'Connor Hospital, St. Louise Regional Hospital Website Handshake Student Career Center County Text Message Other (Specify in the next question) 19 If you selected an event/fair or other in the question above, please specify. If not, type N/A. Required Question