Title: LEAD PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN

State Role Title: Psychiatric Technicians

Hiring Range: $40,625 - $56,429

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Eastern State Hospital

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

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Must be a current DBHDS employee to qualify for this position.

The Lead on Unit Activity Program Direct Service Associate III is directly accountable to the LPN, RN I, RN II, RN MGR I, or Administrator on Duty (AOD) for the provision of direct care to patients with challenging mental health and behavioral issues in an assigned forensic unit, according to the philosophy and objectives of Eastern State Hospital Department of Nursing and the Hospital’s mission, goals and objectives.

This position supports the facility’s mission to provide support and Lead the On Unit Activity Program to individuals with challenging behavioral and mental health needs. This position will assist ESH professional staff in carrying out active treatment plans for patients with the most challenging mental health, behavioral issues and forensic populations. These positions provide specialized service to include unit activities in working with individuals with challenging forensic, mental health, and behavior issues in specific units that house individuals such as jail transfers.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to act in the capacity of essential personnel during emergency/crisis situations.
• Advanced knowledge of Psychiatric Healthcare.
• Skill in implementing appropriate behavioral/mental health interventions during critical mental health crisis situations.
• Basic knowledge of the principles and practices of psychology and behavioral analysis in working with forensic patients.
• Ability to provide therapeutic de-escalation in a safe manner.
• Skill in implementing behavior modification techniques in a Psychiatric Hospital.
• Skill in dealing effectively in a Psychiatric Hospital environment working directly with individuals with Mental Health/Psychiatric/Behavior Diagnoses.
• Ability to work in an environment and with individuals with impulsive behaviors, as well as verbal/physical aggression.
• Skill in providing support and on unit activities during all aspects of daily personal care, to include intervening with aggressive behaviors.
• Ability to actively participate in process improvement projects, leading the On Unit Activity Program and patient data collection.
• Ability to have a high degree of attention to detail with regard to data collection and documentation.
• An ability to perform effectively as a Lead DSA for the On Unit Activity Program and as a member of a Direct Care team.
• Ability to follow written and verbal policies and procedures.
• Ability to operate a computer with basic word processing, excel and e-mail skills preferred.
• Ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to function with minimum supervision, recognizing the need for direction and assistance in situations beyond his/her scope of capabilities.
• Ability to learn and participate as a team member.
• Must have the ability to successfully complete BLS, TOVA and other required training upon employment at Eastern State Hospital

Additional Considerations

• Experience providing forensic direct care preferred.

• QMHP Certification preferred.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Contact Information

Name: EASTERN STATE HOSPITAL

Phone: 757-208-7717 / REFER TO PAGEUP FOR APPLICATION STATUS

Email: EMAIL APPLICATION MATERIAL NOT ACCEPTED

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.