Psychiatric Care Technician- Part Time.

Title: Psychiatric Care Technician- Part Time.

State Role Title: Direct Service Associate III

Hiring Range: 23.00/hr. plus shift differentials

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Western State Hospital

Agency Website: http://www.wsh.dbhds.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Location: Western State Hospital
103 Valley Center Drive, Staunton, VA 24401

Who We Are
Western State Hospital, part of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), has been a leader in psychiatric treatment since 1828. WSH is a 302-bed Joint Commission/CMS-accredited psychiatric facility located in the scenic Shenandoah Valley. Just 30 minutes from vibrant university towns, our hospital serves adults with serious mental health needs and is nationally recognized for our Psychosocial Rehabilitation “Learning” programs.

WSH provides a modern clinical setting and a therapeutic environment for patients, supported by highly qualified staff. Employees also enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the Shenandoah Valley, with nearby cities such as Charlottesville and Harrisonburg offering dining, entertainment, and outdoor activities, making Staunton an attractive place to live and work.

Position Overview
Western State Hospital is seeking applicants for 3rd shift, part-time Psychiatric Care Technicians (PCTs). Successful candidates must be available to work 12-hour shifts on weekends (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday) from either 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., or 8-hour shifts from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., or 3 pm to 11 p.m.. Part-time PCTs are required to work a minimum of 64 hours per month. Additionally, they must work 4 hours on either Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day, and 4 hours on another holiday, such as the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, or New Year’s Day.

PCTs work under the supervision of licensed nursing staff, providing recovery-oriented direct care in a hospital setting. Their responsibilities include maintaining a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment; supporting and motivating patients to engage in their individualized treatment plans; and delivering treatment programs to individuals and groups with serious mental illnesses, substance abuse issues, and/or intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Key Responsibilities
Job duties include, but are not limited to, taking clients’ vital signs, assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs), feeding, cleaning, providing one-on-one direct observation, serving meals, and using de-escalation techniques to manage client behavior and milieu.
PCTs are integral members of the unit-based treatment team, working alongside nurses who provide 24/7 patient care. They also contribute in our ‘Learning Center,’ where patients participate in various classes to develop skills that support their ongoing recovery.

Shift differentials are available for PCTs as follows:
• 1st shift weekend: $3.00/hr.
• 2nd shift weekdays: $2.50/hr., and weekends/holidays: $3.00/hr.
• 3rd shift weekdays: $2.25/hr., and weekends/holidays: $3.00/hr.

***This posting is for external applicants only****

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to provide direct psychiatric patient care under the supervision of licensed staff.
• Ability to effectively communicate with staff and psychiatric patients.
• Ability to work in a secure and locked environment with individuals who are experiencing acute symptoms of mental illness and/or additional forensic/legal involvement.
• Able to follow instructions and report observations/behaviors of psychiatric patients to licensed staff in a timely manner by describing observations verbally, in written, or electronically.
• Demonstrate knowledge of recovery/trauma informed care.
• Appropriately intervene in crisis or problem situations.
• Has skills in providing direction and assistance to psychiatric patients in activities of daily living.
• Willing to learn basic knowledge of developmental and psychiatric disorders along with human behavior, age-specific needs, and personality development.
• Willing to learn basic treatment measures to promote mental health appropriate to the adult, developmentally disabled or impaired, and/or geriatric populations.
• Vision and hearing adequate to recognize and respond to hazardous situation and ensure safety at facility.
• Ability to work effectively with staff in a team approach.
• Ability to perform