Behavioral Health Emergency & Forensic Psychiatric Technician I/II

Salary : $52,707.20 - $86,174.40 Annually

Location : Oroville/Chico Area, CA

Job Type: Regular Help

Job Number:

Department: Behavioral Health Department

Opening Date: 05/20/2024

Closing Date: 7/21/:59 PM Pacific

Summary

This recruitment is for level I/II/II.

The Butte County Behavioral Health Psychiatric Health Facility (PHF) is seeking nurses (LVN, LPT) to provide direct client care to patients receiving inpatient psychiatric treatment in our facility treating our community members in psychiatric crisis. Care includes, but is not limited to, consultation with providers, participating in multidisciplinary team meetings, medication administration, managing admissions and discharges, oversight of facility functioning and providing quality documentation.

FLSA: Non-Exempt

DEFINITION
Under close supervision (Behavioral Health Emergency & Forensic Psychiatric Technician I), general supervision (Behavioral Health Emergency & Forensic Psychiatric Technician II) or supervision (Behavioral Health Emergency & Forensic Psychiatric Technician III), provides medication management support to clients; collaborates with other medical staff and interdisciplinary health treatment teams to implement treatment plans and reports on impact of medications; and may serve as first point of contact for clients discharged from psychiatric facilities to orient them to County behavioral health services. Non-traditional working hours/shifts (weekend, nights and holidays) may be required depending on specific assignment; performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

Behavioral Health Emergency & Forensic Psychiatric Technician I: This is an entry-level classification in the Behavioral Health Emergency & Forensic Psychiatric Technician series. Positions at this level learn duties as assigned, working under close supervision. This class is distinguished from the Behavioral Health Emergency & Forensic Psychiatric Technician II in that the latter performs the full range of work assigned to the series.

Behavioral Health Emergency & Forensic Psychiatric Technician II: This is the journey-level classification in the Behavioral Health Emergency & Forensic Psychiatric Technician series. Positions at this level perform the full range of duties assigned, working independently and exercising judgment and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. This class is distinguished from the Behavioral Health Emergency & Forensic Psychiatric Technician III in that the latter performs the more complex work assigned to the series.

Behavioral Health Emergency & Forensic Psychiatric Technician III: This is the advanced journey-level classification in the Behavioral Health Emergency & Forensic Psychiatric Technician series responsible for performing the most complex work related to providing medication management and nursing services to behavioral health clients. Incumbents regularly work on tasks which are varied and complex, requiring considerable discretion and independent judgement. Positions in the classification rely on experience and judgement to perform assigned duties. Assignments are given with general guidelines and incumbents are responsible for establishing objectives, timelines, and methods to deliver services. Work is typically reviewed upon completion for soundness, appropriateness, and conformity to policy and requirements.

Positions in the Behavioral Health Emergency & Forensic Psychiatric Technician class series are flexibly staffed; positions at the II- and III-levels may be filled by advancement from the I- and II-levels, respectively; progression to the II-level is dependent on (i) management affirmation that the position is performing the full range of duties assigned to the classification; (ii) satisfactory work performance; (iii) the incumbent meeting the minimum qualifications for the classification including any licenses and certifications; and (iv) management approval for progression to the II-level.

Essential Job Functions

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Typical functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.
Some duties, knowledge, skills, and abilities may be performed in a learning capacity for entry-level (I Level) positions.
•  Perform Behavioral Health Emergency and Forensic Psychiatric Technician work in a locked facility with constant and direct patient interaction.
•  Daily and ongoing exposure to volatile, acting out, verbally aggressive and physically violent clients, including clients who may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol or with a history of criminal violence.
•  Primarily evaluates patients in a variety of in- and out-patient settings, such as Juvenile Hall, County Jail, County Behavioral Health offices, hospital emergency, Crisis Responses, and other settings; obtains patient history and conducts behavioral status exam.
•  Primarily responds to community-based environments (upon referral and acute need), with less access to other in-person behavioral health resources, including but not limited to: homeless encampments, homeless shelters, personal homes, and sober living environments.
•  Required to physically intervene and/or restrain clients.
•  Required to assist with client's personal care needs (toileting, showering etc.).
•  Required to give emergency medications (against client's will, resisting person).
•  Provide regular/ongoing redirection of inappropriate behaviors.
•  Ongoing management of minor/chronic medical needs (wound care, diabetes management etc.)
•  Transport and monitor involuntary clients within community.
•  Management of medication room (ordering, stocking, destruction, etc.,).
•  Performs complex forensic, mental health, or substance use related evaluations.
•  Attends court proceedings and is expected to interact with Judges, District Attorneys, Probation, Public Defenders, County Counsel, and other agency officials.
•  Respond as needed to cover shifts to meet mandatory staffing requirements (weekends, holidays, and afterhours included).
•  Facilitate and participate in Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (LPS) related certification hearings, LPS conservatorship hearings, Mental Health Diversion proceedings, and other court procedures as required.
•  Provide regular/ongoing redirection of inappropriate behaviors.
•  Under the direction of clinical staff, provides medication management services to behavioral health clients; ensures the proper acquisition and administration of medication; may travel to outpatient clinics, residences, transitional housing, inmate facilities, or other locations to work with clients.
•  Serves as initial point of contact for clients who have been discharged from a psychiatric health facility; orients clients to the County's behavioral health services; verifies client information, including medical history and medication needs; responds to client questions and concerns.
•  Performs nursing procedures such as administering medications and treatments, including oral medications, hypodermic injections, and charting temperature, pulse and respiration; observes patients' conditions and behavior; reports significant changes to unit supervisor or physician and records nursing notes on patients; gives first aid as needed.
•  Collaborates with clinical staff to process new prescriptions and refills; works with insurance companies to obtain approvals; writes medical justifications to have prescriptions approved, as necessary; works with clinical staff and insurance companies to determine options when prescriptions are denied.
•  Collects, organizes, and delivers medications to clients; provides education and training to clients, their families, and/or staff on the proper care and use of medications, including symptoms of, reaction to, or side effects of, specific medications; informs clients of the impact of abuse and/or misuse of medications.
•  Conducts medication checks on clients to assess their overall medication management capabilities; takes appropriate action if client poses danger with respect to the use or abuse of medication; orders laboratory tests needed to assess efficacy of medication and client vital signs as needed.
•  Serves as part of a full-service treatment team comprised of clinicians and other team members; updates team on medication changes, concerns, side effects, and other important client information; keeps clients stable and medication compliant with the treatment goal of improving overall life functionality.
•  Performs crisis intervention for walk-in clients or non-clients; evaluates individuals to identify level of stable behavior; provides support and assistance in problem resolution; coordinates or arranges for the provision of appropriate care services.
•  Serves as an advocate for clients with internal and external medical professionals; accompanies clients to medical and clinician appointments and provides support/information as needed and appropriate click apply for full job details