Behavioral Wellness Psychiatric Technician

SALARY: $46,590.78 - $56,878.19 annually
(additional cash benefit allowance $6,149.26 annually)
Plus bilingual allowance when applicable and other additional allowances

This recruitment is to fill current and future vacancies for the Behavioral Wellness Department. We are accepting applications to establish one employment list that will be used to fill vacancies at All Locations (separate lists for different locations will not be established).  Therefore, applicants must check "All Locations" on the application and be willing to accept assignment at any location.

NOTE: Candidates may be appointed at the I or II level, depending on the candidate's qualifications and the needs of the department. The salary for a Level II $52,257.31-$63,792.82 annually; plus $6,149.26 cash benefit allowance.

Ideal Candidate:

• Works well with a team
• Flexible
• Time Management
• Great written and verbal communication skills
• Conflict resolution skills
• Computer literacy

ABOUT THE POSITION: Psychiatric Technicians in SBC Behavioral Wellness assist physicians, clients and colleagues in a variety of ways and settings.  Inpatient at the PHF, outpatient in the CSU, core clinics, in the field with ACT and triage teams, and in other special settings, these key team members work with adults and children.  They assist clients to understand Doctors' orders, to be aware of desired and side effects associated with medications prescribed, and in obtaining the medications prescribed by transmitting prescriptions to the client's pharmacy.  At times the psych tech will administer injections as ordered by the Physician.  They assist in obtaining vital signs for the Doctor's information, support the client in obtaining lab tests as ordered, and many other functions. These team members are key players in in efforts to maximize client compliance with prescribed medication, and are the main conduit of information between consumers and their physicians between appointments.

For more information regarding the Behavioral Wellness Department, go to http://countyofsb.org/behavioral-wellness

1. Performs a basic level of psychiatric nursing care by assisting in the coordination of services, including assessment, planning, monitoring, documenting, and evaluating services provided as well as by giving personal care to patients, escorting patients, and providing other patient care.
2. Identifies the personal needs of patients; implements nursing care to individual patients by providing professional nursing assistance, such as taking and charting vital signs and administering medications.
3. Observes and records patient's condition and behavior and reports significant changes to the appropriate authority; observes a variety of clinical problems and handles the less complex matters within the limits of knowledge and authority.
4. Under supervision of the appropriate professional staff, provides crisis intervention and provides a behavioral role model for patients by using effective mental health techniques.
5. Acts as a liaison between patient, family, other staff, and other agencies; initiates and holds consultations and family conferences.
6. Takes admitting psychiatric histories and assists in ongoing treatment, discharge planning and placement of patients; may make home visits; provides services to board and care facilities housing mentally ill patients and provides appropriate after-care services to patients discharged from a psychiatric hospital.
7. Assists in the collection of research data; gives information regarding departmental services to patients, relatives, other agencies, and the public.
8. At the Behavioral Wellness Psychiatric Technician II level, may serve as a trainer, consultant, and resource for other staff in methods of patient care, department policies and procedures, and specialized practices such as Managing Assaultive Behavior.

1. Possession of a valid license as a Psychiatric Technician issued by the State of California; or,
2. possession of a valid license as a Vocational Nurse issued by the State of California and one year of nursing experience in a psychiatric facility or community mental health program; or,
3. a combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge, abilities, and license.

• A valid Driver's License is required at the time of application.
• A valid California Class C Driver's License is required at the time of appointment.
• Travel between North and South County work sites.
• The ability to read, write, and converse fluently in English and Spanish or the ability to converse fluently in English and Spanish may be required for some positions.  Note:  If you indicated on your application that you are bilingual, Human Resources will place you on the employment list for a job requiring bilingual skills. Hiring departments may test you on your fluency.  If you do not demonstrate sufficient fluency, your name may be withheld from future certifications, in accordance with Civil Service Rule 7.

SELECTION PROCESS:

1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those candidates who meet the employment standards.
2. Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking. Candidate's final score and rank on the eligible list will be determined based on education, experience and training information provided on their application and supplemental questionnaire.

 Applicants must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire ranking to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive written notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.
 
NOTE: Veteran's preference credit is applicable for this recruitment (5 points for veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans). To be eligible for this credit, you must be applying for this position within five years from your most recent date of: (1) honorable discharge from active military service; or, (2) discharge from a military or veterans' hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service; or, (3) completion of education or training funded by a Federal Educational Assistance Act. No time limit exists for veterans with 30% or more disability. To receive veteran's preference points, you must: (1) check the Veteran's Preference Points box on the employment application form, (2) submit a copy of your Form DD214 to the Human Resources Department on or before the test date, and (3) pass all phases of the examination process. The preference points will be added to your final test score.
 
Applicants are encouraged to provide their e-mail address on their application to enable the Human Resources Department to communicate more quickly with them via e-mail regarding the status of their application and the recruitment process. The County of Santa Barbara will not release any applicant's e-mail address to a third party.
 
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of the needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a doctor, or learning institution.

Background Investigation: Finalists for positions in this class will be required to pass a pre-offer, job-related background investigation.
 
Appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a probationary period.

BENEFITS: To view the Compensation Summary specific to the bargaining unit for this position  please visit: www.countyofsb.org/hr/CompSumm.aspx?id=11024 or Click here
 
The County of Santa Barbara respects and values a diverse workforce and strongly promotes strategies and activities to recruit, develop and retain qualified persons of varied backgrounds, lifestyles, experiences and races.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: Open Until Filled. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com. In Santa Barbara, applications and job bulletins may be obtained at the Human Resources Department, 1226 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. In Santa Maria, applications and job bulletins can be obtained on-line only at the Workforce Resource Center located at 1410 S. Broadway, Santa Maria, CA, 93454, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

RESOURCES FOR APPLICANTS TO USE COMPUTERS LOCALLY
Applicants may use county computers at the Workforce Resource Centers to complete online applications and assessments at the following Santa Barbara County locations:

Workforce Resource Center in Santa Barbara, 130 East Ortega Blvd Santa Barbara, CA, 93101    (805) 568-1296, Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday
 
Workforce Resource Center in Santa Maria, 1410 South Broadway Santa Maria, CA, 93454
 (805) 614-1550, Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday

Debbie Beach, Senior HR Recruiter