PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN TRAINEE (SAFETY)

California Department of State Hospitals; Atascadero (CA); On-site; USD 34,763 - 43,200; Full time

Job summary

A state healthcare facility in Atascadero seeks a Psychiatric Technician Trainee to join their team. The role includes providing direct care to patients in a secure environment, performing nursing procedures, and ensuring safety protocols. Candidates must meet qualification criteria, including drug testing and background checks. This limited-term position offers a salary range of $3,115.00 to $3,871.00, with eligibility requirements outlined for applicants who are current or have certification eligibility.

Qualifications

• Eligibility by reachable certification list or have transfer eligibility.
• Must pass drug screening, background investigation, and medical clearance.

Responsibilities

• Create a clean, safe therapeutic environment for patients.
• Perform nursing procedures and report changes to supervising staff.
• Identify and manage security breaches and unsafe patient behavior.

Skills

Mental health principles

CPR

Trauma Informed Care

Observation skills

Intervention techniques

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation. It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug‐free workplace. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-511606

Position #(s): 455-000-8238-902

Working Title: Psychiatric Technician Trainee (Safety)

Classification: PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN TRAINEE (SAFETY)

Salary: $3,115.00 – $3,871.00 (full‑time range; part‑time and intermittent appointments may vary)

• New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions: Multiple

Work Location: San Luis Obispo County

Telework: In Office

Job Type: 12‑Month Limited Term, Intermittent – 1500 Hours

Facility: DSH – Atascadero

Department Information

The Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero is a secure public sector hospital providing inpatient forensic services for mentally ill adult males who are court committed throughout the State of California. Located on the central coast of California, the Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero is in the vicinity of destination locations such as San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, and Morro Bay, with easy access to beautiful beaches, serene natural settings, and many historical landmarks. We invite you to join our professional and talented workforce.

Department Website: http://www.dsh.ca.gov/Atascadero

Job Description And Duties

The limited‑term, intermittent Psychiatric Technician Trainee (PTT) will be directed by the Unit Supervisor, Supervising Registered Nurse, and lead by a Senior Psychiatric Technician/Registered Nurse Lead or Alternate Shift Lead in the assigned Program/Unit at the Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero (ASH). The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

• Helps to create a clean, safe and therapeutic environment for patients.
• Applies mental health principles and relationship security with patients.
• Performs nursing procedures such as observing patients' physical condition and behavior, observing patient showers and shaves, performing security rounds and continuous observations, and reporting significant changes to a shift lead, unit supervisor, or physician. Records nursing notes (co‑signed by licensed staff) in the patients’ record, performs CPR, and follows infection control procedures.
• Searches for drugs, contraband, weapons, and inspects facilities to identify security breaches that could lead to the escape of a patient.
• Observes and intervenes in patient behavior that may injure people, damage property or signal impending escape attempts.
• Applies and demonstrates knowledge of Trauma Informed Care (TIC) and Therapeutic Strategies and Interventions (TSI), that includes patient containment, heavy lifting, applying restraints, and responding to emergency situations throughout the hospital.
• Disposes of garbage and waste.
• Manages soiled and clean linen and clothing.
• Changes and cleans beds and mattresses.

Eligibility

Eligibility: To be considered for this career opportunity, applicants must have eligibility by way of one of the following: reachable on a certification list, have transfer eligibility, or have reinstatement eligibility. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications specified in the examination bulletin/classification specifications.

If you do not have eligibility, you must take the exam. The examination is a separate process from applying for this vacancy.

Click here to take the Psychiatric Technician Trainee Examination.

Click on the link to complete the Department of State Hospitals Recruitment Survey: DSH Recruitment Survey.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Special Requirements

• The position requires a Drug Screening be passed prior to being hired.
• The position requires a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.
• The position requires Medical Clearance prior to being hired.

ATTENTION

If you are a current student in the Psychiatric Technician Program and already working as a Psychiatric Technician Trainee, you DO NOT need to apply.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 4/15/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available) may apply. SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below.

Address for Mailing Application Packages

Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero
DSH – Atascadero
Attn: DSH – Atascadero Employment Office
P.O. Box 7005
Atascadero, CA 93423‑7005

Address for Drop‑Off Application Packages

Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero
Drop off Employment Office
10333 El Camino Real
Atascadero, CA 93423‑7005
Building 105 – Drop box available after hours
08:00 AM – 04:30 PM

Required Application Package Documents

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Other – Candidates must attach a copy of one (1) of the following: High school diploma, High school transcripts (that include graduation date), Evidence of passing the California high School Proficiency test, GED, Foreign high school diploma (must be translated and verified by an independent company), Unofficial college transcripts that show a completion of at least 12 units of college credits.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.