Upcoming Filing Cutoff Dates:

• 7/5/2024
• 8/2/2024
• 9/6/2024
• 10/4/2024
• 11/1/2024
• 12/6/2024

Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) must be received or postmarked by the filing date indicated above. Applications postmarked, personally delivered or received via interoffice mail after the filing date will be processed in the next group.

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

• PROGRAM ASSISTANT (MENTAL DISABILITIES-SAFETY) - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

2466

For PROGRAM ASSISTANT (MENTAL DISABILITIES-SAFETY), once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

• EX-02466

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

You may apply by mail to:

• Department of State Hospitals
  Department of State Hospitals - Sacramento
  Human Resources Office
  1215 O Street, MS 17
  Sacramento, CA 95814
  

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678).

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

• Department of State Hospitals
  Department of State Hospitals - Sacramento
  Human Resources Office
  1215 O Street, MS 17
  Sacramento, CA 95814
  8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678). All applicants must provide proof of identification. Accepted forms of identification are: 1) a photo identification card or 2) two forms of signed identification.

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

Unless otherwise stated in the Minimum Qualifications, qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as "Either" 1, "or" 2, "or" 3, etc. For example, applicants possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 1 and additional experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 2 may be accepted to an examination as meeting 100% of the overall experience requirement.

Either I

Two years of clinical nursing experience in the Department of Mental Health performing the duties of a class comparable in level of responsibility to that of a Supervising Registered Nurse or Unit Supervisor in a treatment program for the mentally disabled.

Or II

Two years of clinical experience as a psychiatric social worker, psychologist, rehabilitation therapist, or teacher in a treatment program for the mentally disabled.

Applicants must submit their exam application AND complete the exam during the same cut-off period.  For example, if you submit your exam application on July 8^th, 2024 (which is after the July 5^th, 2024 cut-off) you must complete the exam by July 19^th, 2024.  Filing Cut-Off Dates are listed at the beginning of the exam bulletin.

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Components that are due with your application will be scored and will count toward your final examination result. Failure to submit these items may result in disqualification or elimination from the examination.

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

Complete and submit the following items with your application. These will be scored and count toward your final examination result. Failure to submit these items will result in disqualification from the examination.

Program Assistant (Mental Disabilities-Safety): https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Y3PVZ75

Click the above link to take the exam after you have submitted your application.  Exam responses must be received with the corresponding cut-off date as your application.

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of: Principles and methods of health care, rehabilitation, education, and psychiatric treatment as related to the care and treatment of forensic clients, patients, or inmates; principles for maximizing the physical, cognitive, and social development of forensic clients, patients, or inmates; specific expertise related to program content; principles, procedures, and techniques of administering a multidisciplinary patient treatment program; principles and practices of personnel management and effective supervision; State and Federal laws and rules pertaining to developmental center or State hospital administration; principles and practices of community organization for developmentally or mentally disabled; developmental center/hospital organization, management, and procedures; research methods and techniques; principles and methods of training treatment personnel; a manager's role in equal employment opportunities.

 Ability to: Assist with the planning and coordination of a program that provides care and treatment and maximizes the development of patients; direct research projects; analyze complex problems and take appropriate action; assist with the administration of a multidisciplinary patient treatment program; integrate the program with the overall functions of the developmental center/hospital; communicate effectively; work independently in identifying the need for and developing proposed changes in program practices and procedures.

A Departmental Open eligible list for the PROGRAM ASSISTANT (MENTAL DISABILITIES-SAFETY) Classification will be established for:

• Department of State Hospitals

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 12 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

• A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
• A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Instructions: Rate your knowledge and experience performing specific job-related tasks.

1. Assist in defining program goals and objectives using statistical methods, auditing, data collection, and discharge criteria.
2. Assist on a rotating basis to ensure continuous program management, support, and communication with electronic availability after-hours, weekends, and holidays.
3. Maintain a monitoring system to ensure that clinical staff is kept informed through weekly meetings of management and staff of new and updated policies and procedures.
4. Assist in the recruitment, selection, and delegation of clinical staff assigned to the program through consultation with respective Directors.
5. Ensure that each clinician meets the Hospital’s requirements for professional licensure, and that those who possess a license maintain a current license as a condition of continued employment.
6. Monitor and ensure the Program’s fiscal budget is fully and appropriately utilized to account for fiscal responsibility and provide program needs and activities, per tracking programs as allocated by annual budget statutes.
7. Ensure the development and enhancement of a comprehensive treatment structure geared to the needs and dispositional tracks of the patients to prepare them for success in the community through the process of preparing an Individual Treatment Plan.
8. Ensure appropriate interventions and accurate documentation processes in conjunction with supervising clinicians.
9. Provide consultation to and collaboration with Treatment Teams to address assessment, education, treatment, and training issues relative to the Program/Hospital Mission.
10. Provide direct administrative supervision of the Program clinicians and other support staff by facilitating meetings of the Program’s clinician groups.
11. Provide direct treatment groups or services consistent with expectation of the department to meet licensing and requirements.
12. Assist in establishing, implementing, and reviewing policies and procedures to achieve desired outcomes.
13. Assist the Program Director in the procurement, allocation, and maintenance of space, equipment, and supplies within the program.
14. Assist in monitoring seclusion and restraint procedures and usage for patient protection and debriefing purposes by recording usage data.
15. Create and implement Plans of Correction for patients and the facilities in which they reside to ensure a safe environment by collaborating with service departments.

Instructions: Rate your knowledge and experience performing specific job-related knowledge and abilities.

1. Knowledge of the principles and methods of health care, rehabilitation, education, and psychiatric treatment as related to the care and treatment of patients.
2. Knowledge of principles, procedures, and techniques of administering a multidisciplinary treatment program throughout the course of treatment.
3. Knowledge of the principles and practices of personnel management by maintaining performance improvement.
4. Knowledge of principles and practices of hospital organization, management, and procedures.
5. Knowledge to independently or collaboratively use research methods and techniques for internal or external reports.
6. Knowledge of principles and methods of training to enhance employee performance and meet program goals.
7. Knowledge of forensic issues and California Penal Codes, which could impact delivery of service and discharge planning.
8. Knowledge of the care and treatment of patients or inmates with mental disabilities to ensure safety and security of staff, patients, and the community.
9. Knowledge of effective supervisory principles, practices and techniques to appropriately and effectively plan, oversee, and direct the work activities of subordinate employees.
10. Knowledge of the principles of organization and management to effectively manage resources.
11. Ability to handle emergency situations and sensitive issues involving staff and/or patients to ensure their safety and facility security.
12. Ability to resolve performance problems by planning and implementing measures to improve performance.
13. Ability to motivate, develop, and direct people in the performance of their work to improve the work environment, the quality of work, and increase productivity.
14. Ability to negotiate resolution and agreements with stakeholders, management, vendors, and staff.
15. Ability to interpret and apply strategic plan (e.g., mission, vision, values, goals and objectives) to align program goals with organizational direction.

• Department of State Hospitals

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

Department of State Hospitals reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.