Psychiatric Care Technician- Part Time.

Company: DHRM
Location: Staunton
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Title: Psychiatric Care Technician- Part Time. State Role Title: Direct Service Associate III Hiring Range: 23.00/hr. plus shift differentials Pay Band: 3 Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop Location: Western State Hospital Agency Website: http://www.wsh.dbhds.virginia.gov/ Recruitment Type: General Public - G Job Duties Location: Western State Hospital 103 Valley Center Drive, Staunton, VA 24401 Who We Are Western State Hospital, part of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), has been a leader in psychiatric treatment since 1828. WSH is a 302-bed Joint Commission/CMS-accredited psychiatric facility located in the scenic Shenandoah Valley. Just 30 minutes from vibrant university towns, our hospital serves adults with serious mental health needs and is nationally recognized for our Psychosocial Rehabilitation “Learning” programs. WSH provides a modern clinical setting and a therapeutic environment for patients, supported by highly qualified staff. Employees also enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the Shenandoah Valley, with nearby cities such as Charlottesville and Harrisonburg offering dining, entertainment, and outdoor activities, making Staunton an attractive place to live and work. Position Overview Western State Hospital is seeking applicants for 1st and 2nd shift, part-time Psychiatric Care Technicians (PCTs). Successful candidates must be available to work 12-hour shifts on weekends (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday) from either 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., or 8-hour shifts from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., or 3 pm to 11 p.m Part-time PCTs are required to work a minimum of 64 hours per month. Additionally, they must work 4 hours on either Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day, and 4 hours on another holiday, such as the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, or New Year’s Day. PCTs work under the supervision of licensed nursing staff, providing recovery-oriented direct care in a hospital setting. Their responsibilities include maintaining a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment; supporting and motivating patients to engage in their individualized treatment plans; and delivering treatment programs to individuals and groups with serious mental illnesses, substance abuse issues, and/or intellectual or developmental disabilities. Key Responsibilities Job duties include, but are not limited to, taking clients’ vital signs, assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs), feeding, cleaning, providing one-on-one direct observation, serving meals, and using de-escalation techniques to manage client behavior and milieu. PCTs are integral members of the unit-based treatment team, working alongside nurses who provide 24/7 patient care. They also contribute in our ‘Learning Center,’ where patients participate in various classes to develop skills that support their ongoing recovery. Shift differentials are available for PCTs as follows: • 1st shift weekend: $3.00/hr. • 2nd shift weekdays: $2.50/hr., and weekends/holidays: $3.00/hr. • 3rd shift weekdays: $2.25/hr., and weekends/holidays: $3.00/hr. This posting is for external applicants only Minimum Qualifications • Ability to provide direct psychiatric patient care under the supervision of licensed staff. • Ability to effectively communicate with staff and psychiatric patients. • Ability to work in a secure and locked environment with individuals who are experiencing acute symptoms of mental illness and/or additional forensic/legal involvement. • Able to follow instructions and report observations/behaviors of psychiatric patients to licensed staff in a timely manner by describing observations verbally, in written, or electronically. • Demonstrate knowledge of recovery/trauma informed care. • Appropriately intervene in crisis or problem situations. • Has skills in providing direction and assistance to psychiatric patients in activities of daily living. • Willing to learn basic knowledge of developmental and psychiatric disorders along with human behavior, age-specific needs, and personality development. • Willing to learn basic treatment measures to promote mental health appropriate to the adult, developmentally disabled or impaired, and/or geriatric populations. • Vision and hearing adequate to recognize and respond to hazardous situation and ensure safety at facility. • Ability to work effectively with staff in a team approach. • Ability to perform infection prevention and control practices and appropriately apply standards in daily activities. • Ability to perform repetitious walking and/or standing, bending, lifting and reaching over to position/restrain/transfer/transport and/or escort individuals, and provide assistance with activities of daily living. • Ability to work overtime due to staffing emergencies in a 24-hour 7 day per week psychiatric hospital which at times may mean working a 16-hour shift if and when necessary • Complete all annual competency training to include TOVA III with physical restraints. • Complete and maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for Healthcare Providers with the American Heart Association • Has basic computer skills. • If CNA, maintain certification in good standing with the Virginia State Board of Nursing Additional Considerations - Previous healthcare experience preferred - Current Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and/or previous psychiatric experience preferred - Demonstrated consistent work history preferred - Bi-lingual Spanish/English a plus - Veteran or Spouse of Veteran - Bilingual - Certified Nursing Assistant 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. Application Requirements: Applications and résumés for this position are accepted electronically through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Electronic Recruitment System only. Interview decisions will be based solely on the information provided in your electronic application and/or résumé. Please ensure you clearly and specifically detail all relevant work experience; we will not make assumptions about your qualifications. Background Investigation: All applicants are subject to an extensive background investigation and a pre-employment drug screening. This investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, Department of Social Services/Child Protective Services checks, employment verification, and verification of education relevant to the position. Under Virginia Code §§ 37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1, the Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS) cannot employ or utilize as volunteers, individuals convicted of specific ("barrier") crimes or those with pending "barrier" charges. Reasonable Accommodations: Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require assistance or accommodation, please notify Human Resources at (540) 332-8300 during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Equal Opportunity: The Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to conducting all aspects of human resource management without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race, including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.* There shall be no retaliation against anyone making allegations of violations of this policy. Veteran Preference: DBHDS is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer and provides hiring preference to qualified veterans and service members. We strongly encourage veterans, active members of the Virginia National Guard, and U.S. Military Reserve members to apply to the state application and respond accordingly. Contact Information Name: Elizabeth Weber Phone: 540-332-8056 Email: elizabeth.weber@dbhds.virginia.gov 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.

Keywords: DHRM, Harrisonburg , Psychiatric Care Technician- Part Time., Seasonal Jobs , Staunton, Virginia