Psychiatric Technician (Licensed Vocational Nurse)

Santa Cruz, CA

📍 Location: Santa Cruz, California
📅 Schedule: Full-Time | Non-Exempt | 3 Shifts Available
💼 Department: Residential / Crisis Stabilization Unit
📈 Reports To: Charge Nurse / Registered Nurse Lead
💰 Pay Range: $34.00 – $38.00 per hour
🎁 Bonus: $250 Sign-On Bonus & $250 Retention Bonus

✨ Make a Meaningful Impact

Aspiranet, one of California’s leading nonprofit organizations supporting children, youth, and families, is seeking a compassionate and skilled Psychiatric Technician (Licensed Vocational Nurse) to join our Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) team in Santa Cruz.

This position plays a vital role in providing high-quality medical and behavioral care to youth in crisis. If you’re passionate about supporting the emotional and physical well-being of young people and thrive in a collaborative, mission-driven environment, we invite you to join our team and make a lasting impact.

❤️ About Aspiranet

Founded in 1975, Aspiranet is a mission-driven organization dedicated to helping families thrive. We provide a continuum of care across California through six service divisions: Foster and Adoption, Transitional Aged Youth, Residential, Intensive Home-Based Services, Behavioral Health, and Family and Community. Every role at Aspiranet contributes to something greater: building a future where every child is loved, every family supported, and every individual equipped to succeed.

📝️ Position Summary

The Psychiatric Technician (Licensed Vocational Nurse) provides compassionate care and clinical oversight to youth placed in Aspiranet’s Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU).

This role is responsible for assessing clients, administering medication, monitoring medical needs, and supporting individualized treatment plans. The Psychiatric Technician collaborates closely with multidisciplinary treatment teams, supports health and wellness education, and ensures compliance with health, safety, and infection control standards.

🔍 Key Responsibilities

Client Care & Supervision

• Provide direct care and supervision to youth at the Crisis Stabilization Unit.
• Administer medications and monitor for side effects or changes in client condition.
• Coordinate clients’ medical, physical, and dental needs, including referrals and linkages to community providers.
• Deliver health screening, education, and counseling focused on prevention, wellness, and mental health.
• Provide daily living assistance and supportive behavioral interventions to clients.

Medical & Clinical Support

• Consult with physicians and pharmacists regarding client medication needs.
• Manage prescription call-ins and medication documentation.
• Oversee and implement communicable disease and infection control policies.
• Provide training to staff on health and safety protocols.
• Participate in treatment planning meetings and multidisciplinary care coordination.

Documentation & Communication

• Accurately document interventions, medical issues, progress, and behavioral observations.
• Communicate effectively with treatment team members, supervisors, and client families.
• Attend required staff meetings, trainings, and clinical consultations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

✅ Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing or Medical Assistant program.
• Current Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) and Psychiatric Technician certification.
• Minimum of one year of professional nursing or medical assistant experience.
• CPR/BLR and First Aid certification
• Minimum of two years’ experience working with children, adolescents, and families with emotional or behavioral challenges.
• Mental health background and experience working with youth or adolescents preferred.
• Experience in an inpatient, residential, or clinical setting strongly desired.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Strong knowledge of crisis assessment, trauma-informed care, and safety planning.
• Meets all state-required employment conditions, including:
  • DOJ fingerprint and Child Abuse Index clearance
  • TB/Health physical
  • Valid CA Driver’s License, acceptable driving record, and proof of insurance

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proficiency in English (reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension).
• Ability to work independently while seeking guidance when necessary.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations related to CSU operations and Medicaid/EPSDT.
• Familiarity with the DSM-V and psychotropic medications.
• Understanding of substance abuse issues and mental health care.
• Strong writing and documentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and standard office software.
• Excellent time management, multitasking, and organizational abilities.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries with clients and staff.

💻 Work Environment & Schedule

• This position operates within a Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) clinical environment in Santa Cruz, CA.
• Schedule: Full-time, flexible shifts including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• May require occasional travel for training or collaboration with partner agencies.

❤️ Why Aspiranet?

• Competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits package, and a 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching.
• Access to the free Aspiranet Employee Perks Program. Enjoy exclusive discounts on entertainment, travel, wellness, pet care, gym memberships, theme parks, and more
• Flexible paid time off including 11 paid holidays, 10 vacation days, 10 sick leave days, two diversity days, and paid birthday time off.
• Access to our employee assistance program including 24/7 crisis line; up to 6 counseling sessions per issue.
• Training opportunities are available to support your ongoing development and career aspirations.
• Collaborate in a supportive, inclusive, and mission-aligned culture.
• Opportunity to lead meaningful initiatives that support employee wellbeing.

🏋️Physical Demands

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

This position typically operates in a standard office environment. The noise level is generally quiet and remains within OSHA’s established safety levels at all times.

⚖️ Equal Employment Opportunity

Aspiranet is an equal opportunity employer that recognizes the value of diversity. We believe a diverse workforce within a culture of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) increases creativity, innovation, problem-solving, and teamwork for the youth and families that we serve and the organization as a whole.  Aspiranet strives to provide our employees with a workplace that is welcoming, inclusive of differing world views, cultures, and lived experiences.

📝  How to Apply

Join us in building brighter futures.

Apply today through our career portal:

✨ Click here to apply: www.aspiranet.org/careers

✨ Pro Tip: Once you’re in the portal, be sure to create an account to get started on your application! It’s quick, easy, and the first step to making a difference.