What are the responsibilities and job description for the PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN ASSISTANT (SAFETY) position at Department of Developmental Services - Porterville Developmental Center?
Under the direction of the Shift Lead, the Psychiatric Technician Assistant (Safety) provides a safe, clean and therapeutic environment on the residence where forensic individuals reside. The PTA (S) also assists licensed care staff by participating in the rehabilitation/habilitation treatment programs, including behavioral management training, care and supervision. Assists individuals in developing and utilizing their potential for self-care and activities of daily living and perform other related work for which training has been received. A PTA (S) must have the ability to work extended hours and various shifts and must float to all work areas within the facility if called upon to do so.
A PTA must maintain professional manner and a high level of work performance when conducting themselves in their job duties.
* Must maintain required Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification to practice as a Psychiatric Technician Assistant.
* Must maintain current on all required annual training and complete annual physical requirements.
Effective October 1, 2025, State employees are subject to a salary reduction of three (3) percent in exchange for five (5) hours per month of the Personal Leave.
Temporary state housing may be available for those relocating to fill hard to recruit positions. Housing assignments and rates will be determined in accordance with Department policy, operational priorities, and applicable labor agreements.
This position is not eligible for telework, this position is in person only.
Interested individuals may take the Psychiatric Technician Assistant (Safety) examination to obtain list eligibility. Click the following link or copy and paste the link into your web browser to be taken to the Exam Bulletin where you will find the instructions for the exam:
https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=2225
Please tell us how you heard about us (click on link below).
https://forms.office.com/g/Em8dGRc5Mt
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS: Regular interactions on a residence or at a training site where an individual may be receiving training or services. Mandatory overtime may be required on a periodic and rotating basis. Working different residences within the facility may also be required. Need to be able to set priorities and make changes as needed. Exposure to communicable diseases and other conditions common to a clinical/nursing environment. Work is performed at a level that requires the individual to be constant awareness of safety and security with individuals and the environment by ensuring individuals do not have any type of non-allowable items that could be used as weapons. May spend time performing custody tasks which includes escorting forensic individuals in the facility; counting, distributing, and accounting for all utensils and other equipment/tools to prevent their use as weapons; inspecting facilities to identify security breaches that could lead to the escape of forensic individual; and observing and intervening forensic individual behavior that may injure people, damage property, or signal impending escape attempts.
TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Escorting individuals to different areas on/off campus- appointments/scheduled trips - which may include driving a State vehicle (golf cart,van, car,etc.), standing for periods of time in different areas of the unit or training sites, responding to all behavioral/medical interventions as required Must possess and maintain sufficient strength, agility, endurance, and sensory ability during mentally and emotionally stressful/ emergency situations encountered on the job to not endanger their own health and well-being or that of their fellow employees, forensic individuals, or the public and be able to perform the duties contained in this duty statement.
Level of care employees will be required to perform the following Essential Functions:
- Must be able to lift 50 pounds without assistance.
- Must be able to participate in individual containment, intervention or restraint.
- Must have the ability to work extended hours and various shifts.
- Must float to all work areas within the facility if called upon to do so.