Psychiatric Care Technician-2nd shift

DHRM; Staunton (VA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Shift differentials

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Retirement plans

Insurance packages

Job summary

Western State Hospital is accepting applications for full-time Psychiatric Care Technicians and CNAs for 2nd shift. Two 12-hour shifts, or a mix of 8-hour shifts, with every-other weekend, holidays, and overtime as needed.

Positions require direct patient care under supervision, strong communication, and ability to handle acute psychiatric conditions. Competitive benefits and shift differentials are provided.

Qualifications

• Provide direct psychiatric patient care under licensed staff supervision.
• Communicate effectively with staff and psychiatric patients.
• Work in a secure environment with acutely ill individuals.
• Follow instructions and report observations to licensed staff promptly.
• Demonstrate knowledge of recovery/trauma-informed care.
• Intervene in crisis or problem situations.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living.
• Learn basic knowledge of developmental and psychiatric disorders.
• Position/restrain/transfer/escort patients safely as needed.
• Complete annual competency training including TOVA III with restraints.
• Maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Responsibilities

• Deliver quality care as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Monitor and document vital signs in the EHR.
• Assist individuals with ADLs.
• Provide one-on-one direct observations.
• Utilize de-escalation techniques to manage behavioral situations.
• Observe and report on interventions and patient well-being.
• Escort patients to classes and medical appointments.
• Maintain a safe and therapeutic environment.

Skills

Direct patient care

Communication

De-escalation techniques

CPR

BLS certification

Teamwork

Education

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

CNA certification in good standing

Tools

Electronic Health Record (EHR)

Basic computer skills

Job description

Title: Psychiatric Care Technician-2nd shift

State Role Title:Direct Service Associate III

Hiring Range: salary range from $39,982 to 55,175

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location:Western State Hospital

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

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Western State Hospital (WSH) is a state-of-the-art psychiatric facility that has been operating since 1828 under the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. WSH is a 302-bed Joint Commission-accredited hospital situated in the scenic Shenandoah Valley, just 30 minutes from major university towns. It is affiliated with the University of Virginia's Department of Psychiatric Medicine and serves as a training ground for professionals from various colleges and universities in nursing, social work, psychology, and activity therapy.

Position Available: Psychiatric Care Technicians (PCTs) & CNAs for 1st and 2nd shift.

WSH is currently seeking 1st and 2nd shift Psychiatric Care Technicians (PCTs) and Certified Nursing Aides (CNA) to provide direct patient care in a safe and therapeutic environment for specific patient populations in our 24/7 psychiatric hospital. PCTs and CNAs will follow care and treatment policies and procedures while demonstrating knowledge of population-specific needs and competencies under the guidance of licensed nursing staff. The role involves delivering recovery-oriented care in a hospital setting while maintaining a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver quality care as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Monitor and document vital signs in the Electronic Health Record (EHR).
• Assist individuals with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
• Provide one-on-one direct observations.
• Utilize de-escalation techniques to manage behavioral situations.
• Ability to administer CPR and perform TOVA approved physical interventions
• Serve meals and maintain cleanliness in patient areas.
• Ensure accountability within a safe and therapeutic environment.
• Foster healthy interpersonal interactions in adult acute admissions, geriatric units, and extended rehabilitation service units.
• Observe and report on interventions, treatments, behaviors, physical and emotional well-being, and other relevant situations.
• Document and communicate observations effectively.
• Employ specialized training to promote mental wellness recovery.
• Escort patients to the learning center for various classes, external & internal medical appointments.

Employment Details:

Western State Hospital is looking for full-time classified Psychiatric Care Technicians and Certified Nursing Aides for 2nd shift. PCTs and CNAs will work (2) 12-hour shifts and (2) 8-hour shifts, or (5) 8-hour shifts per week. The successful candidate must work every other weekend, with holidays and overtime required as needed.

Shift Differentials for PCTs and CNAs:

• 1st shift weekends: $3.00/hr.
• 2nd shift weekdays: $2.50/hr.; weekends/holidays: $3.00/hr.
• 3rd shift weekdays: $2.25/hr.; weekends/holidays: $3.00/hr.

Benefits of Working at Western State Hospital:

• Career advancement opportunities
• Professional Skills Incentive available
• Flexible scheduling to maintain a work-life balance
• Choice of 11 different insurance packages, including health, dental, and vision
• Two retirement savings plans to help secure your financial future
• 24/7 security on site
• Shift and weekend differentials for select positions
• Paid sick and personal time off
• Loan repayment options for clinical positions
• State employee discount program for various products and services, including movie tickets, special events, cell phone plans, Kings Dominion, and other entertainment and travel options
• Tuition reimbursement available
• Three weeks of dedicated paid training
• Paid vacation time
• Paid life insurance
• Twelve paid holidays

Minimum Qualifications

• 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

• Previous healthcare experience preferred
• Current Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and/or previous psychiatric experience preferred
• Demonstrated consistent work history preferred
• Bi-lingual Spanish/English a plus
• Veteran or Spouse of Veteran
• Bilingual
• Certified Nursing Assistant

Special Instructions

Note: The following sections have been removed in refinement to comply with formatting standards and to remove non-essential boilerplate. The advertisement does not include links or external recruitment blocks.

Contact Information

Name: Elizabeth Weber

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

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.

Advertised: 01 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 02 Nov 2026 Eastern Standard Time