What are the responsibilities and job description for the PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN TRAINEE (SAFETY) position at Department of State Hospitals - Atascadero?
- Helps to create a clean, safe and therapeutic environment for patients or inmates
- Apply mental health principles and relationship security with patients or inmates
- Performs nursing procedures such as observing patients' or inmates' physical condition and behavior, observing patient showers and shaves, performing security rounds and continuous observations and reporting significant changes to a shift supervisor, unit supervisor, or physician, and recording nursing notes: co–noted by licensed staff, in the patient's or inmate's record
- CPR
- Follows infection control procedures
- Shakedown; i.e., searching for drugs, contraband, weapons, and inspecting facilities to identify security breaches that could lead to the escape of a patient or inmate
- Observing and intervening in patient behavior that may injure people, damage property, or signal impending escape attempts, applies and demonstrates knowledge of correct methods of Therapeutic Strategies and Interventions (TSI), which includes patient stabilization, heavy lifting, applying restraints, and responding to emergency situations throughout the hospital
In order to be considered for this job vacancy, you must satisfy the following requirements:
1. Successfully have completed the competitive State civil service exam pertaining to the classification, AND
2. Be processing for or currently enrolled in Cuesta College/DSH-Atascadero's Psychiatric Technician Program.
- Minimum qualifications will be verified prior to being scheduled for an interview. Please provide proof of minimum qualifications with your application submission, which may include a copy of your unofficial college transcripts.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Enrollment in a Psychiatric Technician training program accredited by the California Board of Vocational Nurse and Psychiatric Technician Examiners. (Applicants who are eligible for enrollment in an accredited program will be admitted to the examination and may be appointed in the next lower class of Psychiatric Technician Training Candidate, but they must be enrolled before they will be eligible for appointment to this class.) and Education: Equivalent to completion of the 12th grade. (Enrollment as a senior in the last semester of high school will admit applicants to the examination, but they must submit evidence of completion before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)
- If it is determined that an applicant does not meet the minimum qualifications, the applicant’s name may be removed from the eligibility list.
Click on the link to complete the Department of State Hospitals Recruitment Survey: DSH Recruitment Survey
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
**There are multiple vacancies for this classification. Positions filled may be assigned to any shift and any unit according to hospital need.**
This position requires you to work within the Secured Treatment Area (STA).
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.- PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN TRAINEE (SAFETY)
Additional Documents
- Job Application Package Checklist
- Duty Statement
Position Details
Salary range shown is the minimum and maximum for a full-time appointment. Salaries for part-time and/or intermittent appointments may vary.
Department Information
The Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero is a secure public sector hospital providing inpatient forensic services for mentally ill adult males who are court committed throughout the State of California. Located on the central coast of California, the Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero is in the vicinity of destination locations such as San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, and Morro Bay, with easy access to beautiful beaches, serene natural settings and many historical landmarks. We invite you to join our professional and talented workforce.
Department Website: http://www.dsh.ca.gov/Atascadero
Special Requirements
- The position(s) require(s) a Drug Screening be passed prior to being hired.
- The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.
- The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.
ATTENTION:
If you are a current student in the Psychiatric Technician Program and already working as a PTT, you DO NOT need to apply.
Candidates who are in process to be enrolled in Cuesta's May 2025 Psychiatric Technician Program, or currently in the program in one of the three blocks of instruction and not currently working, and would like to work while attending school, must submit a Standard State Application (Form STD. 678) by the posted deadline date of Monday, March 10, 2025. If you have already submitted TWO applications, one with the PTT Exam and one for this vacancy during this process, you do not need to submit an additional application.
If you have not already, you will need to provide the Employment Office with:
1. A copy of your high school diploma OR high school transcripts which include graduation date OR evidence of passing the California High School Proficiency test OR possession of a GED OR foreign high school diploma (must be translated and verified by an independent company) OR unofficial college transcripts showing completion of at least 12 units of college credits
2. A copy of the Authorization to Release Information / Employment References and DSH 3215 Nepotism forms (attached to the back of the application given to you at your appointment), and
3. A copy of your latest performance evaluation/review, or if you do not have one, please submit a letter of reference/recommendation.
If you have any questions, please contact the Employment Office at (805) 468-3384.
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 3/10/2025Who May Apply
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
- Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
- Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
- Other - You MUST include a copy of your high school diploma OR high school transcipts which include graduation date OR evidence of passing the California High School Proficiency test OR possession of a GED OR foreign high school diploma (must be translated and verified by an independent company) OR unofficial college transcripts showing completion of at least 12 units of college credits.
- Other - Please submit a copy of your most recent performance evaluation from your current employer. If you do not have one, please submit a letter of reference/recommendation. If you have not already submitted your documents, please submit by the final filing date of Monday, March 10, 2025.
Benefits
Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Department Website: http://www.dsh.ca.gov/Atascadero
Hiring Unit Contact:
DSH-Atascadero Employment Office
(805) 468-3384
ASHEmployment@dsh.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:Pearl Melena
(805) 468-2007
Pearl.Melena@dsh.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Additional Application Requirements
All interested candidates must submit a Standard State Application Form (STD. 678), with original signature, and indicate Psychiatric TechnicianTrainee - May 2025 Class, JC-468052 in the Examination/Job Title Section AND include the following:
- A copy of your high school diploma OR high school transcipts which include graduation date OR evidence of passing the California High School Proficiency test OR possession of a GED OR foreign high school diploma (must be translated and verified by an independent company) OR unofficial college transcripts showing completion of at least 12 units of college credits
- Authorization to Release Information/Employment References and DSH 3215 Nepotism forms given to you at your appointment
- A copy of your most recent performance evaluation. If you do not have one, please submit a letter of reference/recommendation. If you have not already submitted your documents, please submit by the final filing date of Monday, March 10, 2025.
Applications postmarked on the final filing date will be accepted. Scanned, copied or faxed applications will not be accepted.
- Applications will be screened and only candidates currently in or processing for Cuesta's Psychiatric Technician Program will be processed for hire.
Additional Information
Selected candidates will be required to submit to a criminal history review utilizing Live Scan fingerprinting.
This position requires candidates to pass a Medical Evaluation. You will be required to submit to a Medical Evaluation and receive clearance prior to being hired.
This position requires candidates to take and pass a Drug Screening Test. You will be required to take and pass the drug screening test prior to being hired.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.
