Psychiatric Technician or Trainee - SHS

DEDICATED TO STRENGTHENING THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND INDEPENDENCE OF IDAHOANS

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State Hospital South (SHS) - Patient Treatment Facility (PTF) is looking for a Psychiatric Technician or a Psychiatric Technician Trainee (PTT) who is interested in becoming a full time classified Psychiatric Technician. A valid Idaho Certified Nurse’s Aide Certificate is required for the Psychiatric Technician position.

SHS is in beautiful Southeast Idaho, an area best known for Oregon Trail and Native American history, amazing fly fishing, towering mountain peaks with abundant wildlife and awe-inspiring geological sites. State Hospital South in Blackfoot provides psychiatric inpatient treatment and skilled nursing care for Idaho’s adult citizens with the most serious and persistent mental illnesses. The hospital works in partnership with families and communities to enable clients to return to community living. State Hospital South currently houses 110 psychiatric adult beds. It also maintains a statewide program to restore the competency of criminal justice patients.

Applicants who do not have a current CNA license may be considered for a Psychiatric Technician Trainee (PTT) as an underfill to the Psychiatric Technician. If hired as an underfill, the applicant should be enrolled in an accredited CNA course with the intention of obtaining a Certified Nurse's Aide certificate and the following requirements must be met:

• Obtain a CNA license within 6 months of hire

• Work 1040 hours

• Meet the expectations & underfill in the position for 6 months

These requirements will need to be met in order to successfully complete probation/underfill and move into the position as a Psychiatric Technician.

• Psychiatric Technician Trainee $16.81/hour.

• Psychiatric Technician $19.68/hour.

This position is not eligible for telework.

The Idaho Department of Health & Welfare is a drug-free workplace. Any applicant offered employment in this position, will be required to pass a pre-employment drug test. In addition, the applicant will be required to complete and pass a criminal history background investigation after a conditional offer of employment.

This is an ongoing announcement which means at the time applicants apply, we may or may not have an opening. Those applicants that take and pass the exam to show they meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the referral list. When a position becomes available, the hiring supervisor will then directly contact those applicants they wish to interview off the referral list.

BENEFITS:

The State of Idaho offers a robust total compensation and benefits package, including but not limited to:

• We have one of the Nation's best state retirement systems (https://www.persi.idaho.gov/members-1/) (PERSI) that offers a lifetime benefit at retirement.

• 11 paid holidays

• Paid sick and vacation that begins accruing on your first day of employment; can be used immediately after accruing (no waiting time)

• Paid parental leave (https://dhr.idaho.gov/information-for-state-employees/)

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance benefits that become effective first of the month following your hire date. All contributions can be pre-tax (full-time/30+ hours per week)

• 2 voluntary supplemental retirement plans including both pre-tax and Roth options

• Deferred compensation plan

• Life insurance for self, spouse, and children

• Short and long-term disability insurance

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

• Wide variety of training opportunities

• Some positions offer flexible hours and/or telecommuting

• Additional perks and discounts (https://www.regence.com/producer/tools-for-members/advantages-discounts) available through medical provider

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligibility (https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service)

• Employee assistance program

Additional information related to benefits and/or State programs can be found here: https://dhr.idaho.gov/StateEmployees/Benefits.html.*

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES:

• Provide personal care for patients.

• Provide group and/or individual services in psychosocial treatment, disturbed behavior management, record keeping, environmental management, and patient care.

• Maintain the safety of patients/residents, including involvement in emergencies such as fire evacuations.

• Interact with patients/residents to encourage appropriate behavior and to control aggressive behavior.

• Interact with patients/residents to provide social skills training in areas such as: social interaction; leisure time activity; planning and decision making; and money management.

• Take, record, and report vital signs, sleep patterns, and diet patterns.

• Identify and report changes in patients/residents behavior and health.

• Maintain patients/residents progress records.

• Intervene in crisis or potentially harmful situations by using specific early intervention techniques and/or physical restraining techniques.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS for PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN TRAINEE:

You must possess all the minimum qualifications below to pass the exam for this position. Please make sure your resume or work history supports your meeting the minimum qualifications for this position. Failure to do this may disqualify you from being considered for this position. It is highly recommended to attach a one-page cover letter to your application to demonstrate how you meet the requirements below.

• Some knowledge of personal hygiene and first aid . Typically gained by at least two months of experience performing these functions OR a willingness to learn them.

• Experience following written and oral instructions . Typically gained by at least six months of experience.

• Ability to read and write in English .

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS for PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN:

You must possess all the minimum and specialty minimum qualifications below to pass the exam for this position. Please make sure your resume or work history supports your meeting the minimum and specialty qualifications for this position. Failure to do this may disqualify you from being considered for this position. It is highly recommended to attach a one-page cover letter to your application to demonstrate how you meet the requirements below.

• Some knowledge of human services to include psychology, nursing, or social work. Typically requires a completed college course in psychology, nursing or social work OR at least six months experience in dual diagnosis, behavioral interventions, mental health disorders and medications, psychiatric symptoms or therapeutic communications OR completed Psychiatric Technician training program through Southwest Idaho Treatment Center, State Hospital North, State Hospital West or State Hospital South OR at least six months of work experience providing treatment services for the mentally ill.

• Experience with behavior management for individuals diagnosed with mental illness and developmental disabilities . Typically gained by completion of at least six credits of upper-division college coursework in psychology or special education OR at least six months of work experience completing behavioral assessments and/or mental health scales, analyzing behavior and its function, and developing or assisting in developing behavior support plans. Experience may have been gained through SHS, SHW, SWITC, or SHN's sponsored training.

Learn About a Career with DHW (https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/about-dhw/dhw-careers)

***PLEASE NOTE: application assistance is not available after the business hours listed below, on the weekends, or on holidays and you must apply before 11:59 pm on the closing date. When applying, use CHROME as your browser to avoid complications.

If you have questions, please contact us at:

Email is the quickest way to get an answer to your questions.

(answered Monday through Friday during business hours MST)

EMAIL:[email protected]

PHONE:(208) 334-0681

EEO/ADA/Veteran:

The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email [email protected].

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.