Licensed Psychiatric Technician

Job Description:

Provide direct behavioral and psychiatric nursing care to adult forensic, LPS (involuntary), and/or mentally ill patients under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or licensed clinician. Support therapeutic milieu, monitor patient behavior, give medications and emergency care, assist with treatment plans, and document clinical observations. This role may be in a correctional or state hospital environment and frequently requires shift work, weekends, and rotating schedules.

Typical duties & responsibilities

• Give general behavioral and psychiatric nursing care and observe, record and report patients’ conditions and behaviors.
• Administer medications and treatments per physician or RN orders (may include oral, inhaled, and some injectable meds depending on facility policy).
• Conduct daily clinical rounds, monitor for safety risks (suicidal/homicidal ideation, acute agitation), and intervene using de-escalation and safe-containment techniques.
• Assist in planning, implementing and evaluating individualized nursing/behavior plans; participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and document progress.
• Lead or co-facilitate group therapy and activity programming aimed at skill building, socialization, and rehabilitation.
• Report changes promptly to physicians/RN and complete incident reports, charts, and other required documentation in a timely manner.
• Support safe transport, observation levels, and restraint/seclusion procedures as authorized by policy and law.

Minimum qualifications

• License: Must possess a valid Licensed Psychiatric Technician (LPT) license issued by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) — active and in good standing. (If applying to correctional/state positions, proof of license and background clearance required.)
• Education/Training: Completion of an approved psychiatric technician program or equivalent training (per BVNPT standards).
• Experience: Minimum 3+ years of experience as a Licensed Psychiatric Technician is required.
• Other: Ability to work rotating shifts (including nights/weekends/holidays), pass background checks, and meet any facility-specific clearances (e.g., TB test, immunizations).

Preferred / desirable

• Prior experience in forensic or correctional psychiatric settings.
• Certification in CPI or equivalent non-violent crisis intervention, CPR/First Aid.
• Experience administering psychotropic medications and using electronic medical records.

Physical & mental requirements

• Ability to handle physically demanding situations (standing for long periods, restraining/assisting patients when necessary).
• Must be able to remain calm in crisis, use de-escalation strategies, and work under stressful or potentially unsafe conditions.

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Pay: $50.00 - $53.00 per hour

Schedule:

• 8 hours shift
• Day shift
• Saturday to Wednesday

Work Location: In person

Join our team and make a significant impact on the lives of our patients through your expertise.

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Pay: $50.00 - $53.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Work Location: In person