Lead PCT 2 Elm 1st/2nd shift

Western State Hospital; Staunton (VA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Western State Hospital in Virginia is seeking a Lead Patient Care Technician (PCT) for 1st/2nd shift. The role requires supervision in a psychiatric hospital and involves direct patient care, vital signs, ADLs, and implementing treatment plans.

The Lead PCT will work with licensed nurses to maintain a safe, therapeutic milieu and contribute to group and individual therapies. Minimum qualifications include current WSH employment, ability to communicate with patients and staff, and completion of

Qualifications

• Must be a current WSH employee who has completed the one-year probation/Waived to 6 months with recommendation from current RNC.
• 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 environment with individuals who are experiencing acute symptoms of mental illness and/or additional forensic/legal involvement.
• Willing to learn basic knowledge of developmental and psychiatric disorders along with human behavior, age-specific needs, and personality development.
• Complete annual competency training to include TOVA III with physical restraints and Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for Healthcare Providers.

Responsibilities

• Lead PCTs work under the supervision of licensed nursing staff, providing recovery-oriented direct care in a hospital setting.
• Take clients’ vital signs, assist with activities of daily living (ADLs), feeding, and observation.
• Deliver treatment programs to individuals and groups with mental health or substance use issues and/or developmental disabilities.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment and support patients in engaging with individualized treatment plans.
• Collaborate with nurses and participate in the Learning Center activities for skill development.

Skills

Direct patient care

Communication

Team collaboration

Crisis intervention

Adaptability

Infection control

Overtime readiness

Education

CNA certification

BLS Certification

Job description

Title: Lead PCT 2 Elm 1st/2nd shift

State Role Title: Direct Service Associate III

Hiring Range: Minimum salary $41,843 - maximum salary $57,361

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Western State Hospital

Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/wsh/

Recruitment Type: Agency Employee Only - A

Job Duties

WSH is currently hiring for a Lead PCT. This posting is only open to current WSH employees.

Lead 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.

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.

The Available Shifts And Units Are As Follows

2 Elm 1st/2nd shift

Minimum Qualifications

• MUST be a Current WSH employee who has completed the one-year probation/Waived to 6 months with recommendation from current RNC
• 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 infection prevention and control practices and appropriately apply standards in daily activities.
• Ability to perform repetitious walking and/or standing, bending, lifting and reaching over to position/restrain/transfer/transport and/or escort individuals and provide assistance with activities of daily living.
• Ability to work overtime due to staffing emergencies in a 24-hour 7 day per week psychiatric hospital which at times may mean working a 16-hour shift if and when necessary.
• Complete all annual competency training to include TOVA III with physical restraints.
• Complete and maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for Healthcare Providers with the American Heart Association.
• Has basic computer skills.
• If CNA, maintain certification in good standing with the Virginia State Board of Nursing.

Additional Considerations

• Veteran or Spouse of Veteran
• Bilingual - Spanish
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) preferred

Background Investigation

Background Investigation: All applicants are subject to an extensive background investigation and a pre-employment drug screening. This investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, Department of Social Services/Child Protective Services checks, employment verification, and verification of education relevant to the position.

Under Virginia Code

• 37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1, the Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS) cannot employ or utilize as volunteers, individuals convicted of specific ("barrier") crimes or those with pending "barrier" charges.

Reasonable Accommodations

Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require assistance or accommodation, please notify Human Resources at [phone] during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Equal Opportunity

The Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to conducting all aspects of human resource management without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race, including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.* There shall be no retaliation against anyone making allegations of violations of this policy.

Veteran Preference

DBHDS is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer and provides hiring preference to qualified veterans and service members. We strongly encourage veterans, active members of the Virginia National Guard, and U.S. Military Reserve members to apply to the state application and respond accordingly.

Contact Information

Name: Elizabeth Weber

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Note

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.