Psychiatric Technician (2305) - Citywide - H00038

Company Description

6/18/2026 - Minor revision. No need to reapply.

The Department of Public Health prioritizes equitable and inclusive access to quality healthcare for its community and values the importance of diversity in its workforce. All employees at the Department of Public Health work to advance equity, inclusion, and diversity with a specific lens and focus on race, ethnicity, gender, sex, sexuality, disability, and immigration status. 

This is a Citywide Exam posting. Your application to this posting is an application to take a citywide exam. 

• Application Opening -  January 10, 2022
• Application Deadline: Continuous
• Appointment Type: Permanent Civil Service
• Recruitment ID: CCT-2305-H00038
• Work Arrangement: Onsite

The Mission of the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) is to protect and promote the health of all San Franciscans. Fulfilling this mission requires employees working across our hospitals, clinics, programs, and offices to deliver services and support the communities we serve. Individuals interested in joining SFDPH should expect to work in person across these settings.

The San Francisco Health Network, Population Health, Behavioral Health Services, and Administration are the core divisions of SFDPH. The San Francisco Health Network is the City’s only complete system of care and has locations throughout the City, including Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, and over 15 primary care health centers. The Population Health Division (PHD) provides core public health services for the City and County of San Francisco: health protection, health promotion, disease and injury prevention, and disaster preparedness and response. Behavioral Health Services operates in conjunction with SFHN and provides a range of mental health and substance use treatment services.

NOTE: Part-time, evenings, nights, weekends, rotating, and/or holiday shifts may be required. **

Job Description

Under the direction of a licensed physician, registered nurse, or clinical supervisor, the Psychiatric Technician performs professional therapeutic procedures in the care and treatment of individuals struggling with severe mental illness.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

• Gives a basic level of general and psychiatric nursing care to mentally ill patients; works with an interdisciplinary treatment team to provide an overall treatment program for the patient;
• Under supervision, may perform nursing procedures such as administering medications and treatments, including oral medications, injections, and enemas, taking and charting vital signs;
• Observes patients’ condition and behavior; reports significant changes to supervisor or physician and documents care and/or treatments in nursing progress notes on patients; prepares patients and cares for them during treatment; gives first aid as needed;
• Helps to create a safe and therapeutic environment for patients and recognizes early symptoms/signs of escalation and at risk behavior; uses appropriate interventions including crisis intervention, verbal de-escalation, and alerting other team members;
• Implements therapeutic activities and documents patient participation; assists rehabilitation therapists in occupational and recreational therapies for patients;
• Motivates patients to develop independence in performing activities of daily living; assists patients with feeding, clothing, toileting, activities of daily living; ensure patients follow safe practices that protect patients and others from personal injury;
• Receives visitors and encourages their interest in the patients' wellbeing and treatment plan; escorts patients on the facility premises and to and from the community; orders supplies as needed; keeps records; participates in orientation and in-service training programs;
• Participates in the discharge process

The 2305 Psychiatric Technician performs other related duties as required.

Nature of Positions: Positions may require considerable physical effort in controlling or restraining violent clients, with continuous exposure to conditions which may result in accidents or injuries or other uncomfortable situations.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

LICENSE: Possession of a valid Psychiatric Technicians license issued by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians. 

• ⚠️IMPORTANT: License status must b