Psychiatric Technician Assistant
California State Personnel Board Specification
Schematic Code: TL55
Class Code: 7425
Established: 12/03/1991
Revised: 03/09/1999
Title Changed: --
Definition
Under supervision in developmental centers, State hospitals, or other State-owned/operated residential facilities, to assist licensed direct-care staff by participating in the rehabilitation/habilitation treatment programs for individuals with developmental or mental disabilities; to assist clients/ patients in developing and utilizing their potential for self-care and activities of daily life; and to do other related work for which training has been received.
Distinguishing Characteristics
The Psychiatric Technician Assistant is a permanent classification designed to provide basic level-of-care habilitative treatment services to clients/patients including: psychosocial activities, behavioral management, training, care, supervision, and other related work functions including assisting in helping clients/ patients to achieve their maximum potential for self-care and activities of daily life which can successfully be done by nonlicensed staff. Prior to working with clients/patients, the Psychiatric Technician Assistant receives 16 hours of orientation and training. To continue employment, incumbents must complete a 40-hour in-service training program within 60 calendar days of appointment.
This class is distinguished from Psychiatric Technician by the performance of nonlicensed activities. Incumbents in the class of Psychiatric Technician are licensed and perform duties which include: administering medications or treatment; developing individual behavior programs, habilitation plans, nursing care plans, and client/patient assessment; entering written progress notes in the clients'/patients' records; and receiving and noting medical orders.
Appointments to other nonlicensed Psychiatric Technician classes are made on a limited-term basis.
Typical Tasks
Assist licensed staff in carrying out activity and training programs for developmentally or mentally disabled clients/ patients; assist clients/patients with feeding, toileting skills, grooming, and appearance; help keep clients/patients and their clothing, beds, and living areas clean; assist and motivate clients/patients to develop self-reliance in daily living; assist in group and individual activities for clients/patients; assist in occupational, leisure, recreational, vocational, and educational training programs for clients/patients; assist with providing community-based training for clients/patients; escort clients/ patients as needed; perform basic nursing duties, such as taking and recording vital signs, and measuring and recording intake and output, height, and weight; attend unit and staff conferences to develop an understanding of and reasons for treatment being given; and under the direct supervision of a licensed staff and after receiving appropriate training, may assist with observing clients/patients in time out, restraint, or on special observation.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Equivalent to completion of the 12th grade. and Possession of a valid certificate issued by the California Department of Health Services to practice as a Certified Nursing Assistant. [Enrollment in a Psychiatric Technician training program or Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program will allow applicants admittance into the examination, but they cannot be appointed until they possess a valid CNA certificate issued by the California Department of Health Services.]
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: Basic nursing care methods and techniques.
Ability to: Apply basic level-of-care services to clients/ patients; analyze situations accurately; take effective action; follow directions and communicate effectively in English.
Special Personal Characteristics
An interest and willingness to work in a developmental center, State hospital, or other State-owned or operated facility for residential care; emotional stability; patience; tact; alertness; neat personal appearance; hearing and vision required for successful job performance.
Drug Testing Requirement
Applicants for positions in this class are required to pass a drug- screening test. Testing of current employees who are applicants in an examination or who are transferring is permitted only if the person does not have a current appointment to a class for which drug testing is a requirement.
