PSYCHIATRIC NURSE (PART-TIME)

Salary: $30.96 - $37.64 hourly

Night shift premium=17% above hourly salary.

Evening shift premium = 5% above hourly salary.

This recruitment is being conducted to fill three part-time vacancies in the Psychiatric In-patient Unit of Sonoma County's Mental Health Services Division and other vacancies that may occur during the life of this employment list. One vacancy is for 36 hours per week, one is for 32 hours per week and the other is for 20 hours per week. All three openings are for regular, benefitted positions. Also, there is the potential for these openings to be full-time. The ability and willingness to work all shifts including days, evenings, nights and weekends is expected, although shift preferences will be honored to the extent possible. Only those who indicate availability for various shifts including night shift will be eligible for consideration.

In an effort to mitigate the impact of budget reductions on the County workforce, the County of Sonoma has implemented a program of mandatory time off for the current fiscal year. Most County offices, activities and services will be closed from December 24, 2003 through January 2, 2004. During that period, most County employees will be on a work furlough.

In order to minimize the impact of the unpaid furlough on employees hired after September 2, 2003, a deduction will be withheld each pay period from the date of hire through the pay period ending June 21, 2004. The amount of this deduction will be determined by the employee's regularly allocated work schedule and the number of pay periods remaining in the current fiscal year in order to accomplish a 44-hour (for full-time employees) contribution by June 21, 2004.

Those employees hired after the work furlough occurs, will be subject to a deduction of 2.1 hours per pay period for full-time employees or a pro-rated percentage of 2.1 hours per pay period for part-time employees. The hours accumulated as a result of this deduction shall be used as time off prior to the use of any accumulated vacation leave, by mutual agreement of the employee and their Department Head or designee.

Psychiatric Nurses are responsible for evaluating the needs of psychiatric patients; observing and interacting with patients, and keeping records and reports on the condition of their behavior and progress; assisting patients in adjusting to the facility; participating in therapy and staff meetings; performing routine nursing functions such as administering medications and monitoring vital signs; and performing other duties as required.

The Inpatient Psychiatric Unit is a 30-bed locked acute psychiatric facility serving the entire Sonoma County area, with a multi-disciplinary staff of mental health professionals. It provides a supportive milieu including individual, group, family, and occupational therapy; and related social services. Psychiatric Nurses in the Inpatient Unit supervise and oversee the work of Registered Nurses and Licensed Psychiatric Technicians, students and registry staff, and assist with new employee orientation; conduct therapy and education groups for hospitalized clients; and dispense medications and perform treatments per physician's orders. Psychiatric Nurses will observe, assess and participate in containment of assaultive client behavior. They must be able to maintain a calm, professional demeanor on a busy, locked psychiatric unit.

ONLINE APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: PLEASE ANSWER MANDATORY SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTION(S) THAT COME UP AFTER YOU HAVE COMPLETED YOUR APPLICATION AND HIT THE SEND BUTTON.

PAPER APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: PLEASE ANSWER MANDATORY SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTION(S) AT THE END OF THIS JOB BULLETIN.

Education: Any combination of training and experience which would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, graduation from an accredited school of nursing would provide such opportunity.

Experience: Any combination of training and experience which would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, one year of professional psychiatric nursing experience working with mentally and emotionally disturbed patients would provide such opportunity.

License: Possession of a current California license as a Registered Nurse. Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including necessary special endorsements, as required by the State of California to perform the essential job functions of the position may be required for some assignments

The ability to speak and understand Spanish may be desirable for some positions, but not required.

Working knowledge of: principles, techniques and trends of mental health with particular reference to normal and disordered behaviors, human development, motivation, personality, learning, individual differences, adaption, and social interaction; modern methods, techniques and procedures used in general and professional psychiatric nursing; medical and psychiatric terminology, hospital routine, procedures, equipment and facilities; the uses of medical and psychiatric terminology, hospital routine, procedures, equipment and facilities.

Knowledge of: the uses and affects of medicines and narcotics; laws governing treatment of involuntary patients; rehabilitation and counseling techniques; and skill in observing and recording patient behavior; the principles and techniques of psychiatric and social assessment and evaluation; the methods and techniques of physical and chemical restraints; community agencies, resources and services.

Ability to: provide effective psychiatric nursing care to mentally ill and emotionally disturbed patients; exercise patience and judgement in recognizing symptoms indicative of adverse patient reactions; follow oral and written directions of a technical and professional nature in exact detail; develop and maintain the confidence and cooperation of mentally and emotionally disturbed patients; deal effectively with emergency situations; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with other departmental staff and representatives of other agencies; administer treatment plans and medicines and narcotics as prescribed; deal with patients and their families sympathetically and tactfully; prepare, interpret and maintain accurate nursing records and reports; apply a reasonable degree of exertion occasionally in restraining overactive patients; stand and walk for long periods, to work under psychological and physical strain and to lift or move heavy objects on a regular basis.

This selection procedure will consist of an application and supplemental questionnaire appraisal (weight 100%). Each application will be thoroughly evaluated for satisfaction of minimum qualifications and relevance of educational course work, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Candidates possessing the most appropriate job-related qualifications will be placed on an employment list and referred to the department for selection interviews.

A background investigation is required prior to appointment to regular positions and some temporary jobs. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Background information obtained from reference checks will not be made available to candidates.

Additionally, a medical examination, including a drug and alcohol screening, will be required prior to employment. Please see additional information as provided in the General Employment Information regarding the general employment process.

Please see the BENEFITS tab for additional information on the general employment process steps and vacation, holidays, sick leave, insurance, and other benefits information.

Applications are accepted on-line through the County of Sonoma website (www.sonoma-county.org) or the website of www.governmentjobs.com. Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), or through the mail. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

THE COUNTY OF SONOMA IS COMMITTED TO A POLICY AND ACTIVELY PURSUES A PROGRAM OF EQUAL EMPLOYMENT AND NON-DISCRIMINATION.

Analyst: LV

Assistant: kb