Final Filing Date

CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT (MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME)

To obtain the Application Materials you may download them from web site (see upper right box titled Required Forms), visit the Personnel Department during regular office hours or submit a request either by e-mail (jobs@placer.ca.gov) or voicemail on the job line (530) 889-4070 - please include your name, address and job title.

Description

Provide professional psychiatric nursing care and other nursing care to emotionally disturbed or mentally ill patients on an inpatient or outpatient basis.

Distinguishing

Characteristics

Psychiatric Nurse I:  This is the entry-level class in the Psychiatric Nurse series.  This class is distinguished from the journey by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series.  Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters allocated to the journey level.  Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience.  Employees work under general supervision while learning job tasks.
Psychiatric Nurse II:  This is the full journey level class within the Psychiatric Nurse series.  This class is distinguished from the Psychiatric Nurse I by the assignment of the full range of duties.  Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit.  Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the entry level.  This class is distinguished from the Senior Psychiatric Nurse in that the latter provides psychiatric nursing care requiring a high level of skill and independent judgment and exercises technical and functional supervision over subordinate psychiatric nursing staff.

Minimum Qualifications

It is the applicant’s responsibility to identify in their application materials how they meet the MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS listed below.

Experience
Psychiatric Nurse I:  No professional experience is required.
Psychiatric Nurse II:  Two years of responsible professional psychiatric nursing experience performing duties similar to a Psychiatric Nurse I with PlacerCounty.
Training
Psychiatric Nurse I and Psychiatric Nurse II:  Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in nursing or a related field.

License or Certificate
Psychiatric Nurse I and Psychiatric Nurse II:  Possession of a valid license as a Registered Nurse issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing.  May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Special Requirements

Candidates successfully completing the examination process may need to pass a fingerprint clearance before their date of hire.

Examination Process

TRAINING & EXPERIENCE RATING – 100%
Based upon responses to the attached supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula.  Scores from this evaluation will determine the applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

Notification for each phase of the recruitment process will be by U.S. Mail.  Please notify the Personnel Department of any address change for all applications submitted.

Knowledge of

Psychiatric Nurse I: General and psychiatric nursing principles and practices.  General legal and regulatory issues involved in treating the mentally ill.  Pharmacology and the use and purpose of psychotropic medications.  Crisis intervention and conflict resolution techniques, including management of assaultive behavior.  Principles and practices of instruction.
Psychiatric Nurse II: In addition to the qualifications for Psychiatric Nurse I:  Mental health procedures and practices relative to the delivery of psychiatric nursing care. Resources available to mentally ill persons.  Pertinent local, State and Federal rules, regulations and laws.

Ability to

Psychiatric Nurse I: Provide professional psychiatric nursing care; administer and handle medications.  Provide instruction regarding use, purpose, and side effects of various psychotropic medications.  Observe, assess, and record client behavior as related to psychiatric condition/treatment.  Provide crisis intervention as necessary.  Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.  Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.  Obtain information through interview; work fairly and courteously with the public; and work effectively with interruption.  Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action.  Use a computer, calculator, typewriter, telephone, dictation machine, facsimile machine, postage meter, and photocopy machine.  Use nursing care and clinical supplies and equipment, including blood pressure cuff, stethoscope, syringes, and needles.  Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.  Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.  On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects, identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical policies and procedures.  On an intermittent basis, sit at a desk for long periods of time; intermittently walk, stand, bend, climb, twist and reach while making site visits or making educational presentations.  Intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; use telephone, and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; and lift lightweight.
Psychiatric Nurse II: In addition to the qualifications for Psychiatric Nurse I:  Independently provide professional psychiatric nursing care; administer and handle medications.  Independently observe, assess, and record client behavior as related to psychiatric condition/treatment.  Independently provide crisis intervention as necessary.

Modified Agency Shop

All new permanent employees, with the exception of law enforcement and management, shall be required to join the employee organization or pay an 'Agency Fee' as a condition of employment.

Benefit Package

PlacerCountyvalues its employees and offers permanent employees an excellent benefit package including generous contributions to the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS); health, dental, vision, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance programs; 13 paid holidays, 12 paid sick days and vacation accrual starting at 10 days per year.  Employees also have access to an employee assistance program, 401(k) and 457 deferred compensation plans.  Additional compensation incentives, including supplemental compensation and administrative leave, are also available for certain management classifications.

Thank you for your interest in employment with PlacerCounty.  PlacerCountyis an equal opportunity employer.  All hiring and employment decisions will be made without regard to sex, sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer), age (over 40), or marital status.  Please contact the Personnel Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process.  Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.