Upcoming Filing Cutoff Dates:

• 12/5/2025
• 12/19/2025

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):

• REHABILITATION THERAPIST, STATE FACILITIES (ART-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):

4666

For REHABILITATION THERAPIST, STATE FACILITIES (ART-SAFETY), once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

• EX-04666

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
  Selection Services Unit
  1215 O Street MS-14
  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
  Selection Services Unit
  1210 O Street MS-14
  Sacramento, CA 95814
  8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  SacramentoExamsUnit@dsh.ca.gov

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.

Possession of a Master's Degree in Art Therapy or in Art with emphasis in Art Therapy, or registration with the American Art Therapy Association, or eligibility for such registration.
AND

Completion of an approved clinical internship in the appropriate rehabilitation specialty in an approved hospital or rehabilitation center affiliated with the college.

(Individuals who are registered or certified with the appropriate therapy association but who have not completed a clinical internship because it was not a component of the academic program at the time are required to have completed a minimum of two years' full-time paid experience in a clinical, residential, or community-based setting after receipt of the required degree to be admitted into the exam.)

Special Physical Characteristics:

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, 2024 (which is after the July 5, 2024 cut-off) you must complete the exam by August 2, 2024.

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.

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

1. Knowledge of the principles, procedures, techniques, trends, and literature of rehabilitation services, especially those relating to developmental, mental, or physical disordered offenders.
2. Knowledge of the process of restoration, maintenance, and development of capabilities.
3. Knowledge of principles of mental health education.
4. Knowledge of scope and activities of private and public health and welfare agencies.
5. Knowledge of characteristics of mental, emotional, physical, and developmental disorders.
6. Knowledge of current trends in mental health, public health, and public welfare.
7. Knowledge of Federal and State programs in these fields.

Ability

1. Ability to utilize and effectively apply required technical knowledge.
2. Ability to establish and maintain the confidence and cooperation of persons contacted in the work.
3. Ability to secure accurate clinical data and record such data systematically.
4. Ability to compose clear, accurate, and concise reports.
5. Ability to interpret statistical data.
6. Ability to analyze situations accurately and take effective action.
7. Ability to communicate effectively.

Special Personal Characteristics

1. An interest and a willingness to work at developmental centers, State hospitals or correctional facilities contracting with the Department of State Hospitals for diagnostic and treatment services.
2. Demonstrate empathic and objective understanding of the problems of developmentally, mentally or physically disordered, and conserved offenders to facilitate unbiased treatment.
3. Demonstrate tolerance.
4. Demonstrate tact.
5. Demonstrate patience.
6. Demonstrate emotional stability.

8. Possession and maintenance of sufficient strength, agility, and endurance to perform during physically, mentally, and emotionally stressful and emergency situations encountered on the job without endangering their own health and well-being or that of their fellow employees, forensic clients, patients, inmates, or the public.

A Departmental Open eligible list for the REHABILITATION THERAPIST, STATE FACILITIES (ART-SAFETY) Classification will be established for:

• State of California

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. Monitor therapeutic supplies and tools to maintain safety within the therapy environment.
2. Inspect the therapy area and adjoining spaces for security risks, such as unsecured exits or unauthorized materials.
3. Observe patient behavior during therapy sessions and intervene when necessary.
4. Facilitate various group and/or individual art therapy sessions using a variety of media to promote therapeutic expression, self-awareness and coping skills.
5. Assess patient needs and interests to develop tailored habilitative/rehabilitative objectives and art therapy activities.
6. Evaluate the appropriateness of art materials and projects to prevent self-harm or harm to others during therapeutic sessions.
7. Supervise and maintain patient conduct during activities by monitoring behavior and controlling the use of activity materials.
8. Plan and/or conduct structured rehabilitation therapy and/or leisure skill groups focused on treatment activities to support patient recovery.
9. Gather information on assigned patients’ needs through various means to conduct, review, and update assessments that establish and guide treatment objectives.
10. Provide art therapy services to individuals and/or groups using various structured therapeutic art activities such as painting, sculpting, or collage.
11. Create a safe, supportive environment for patients during art therapy sessions.
12. Evaluate and document patient responses to art therapy interventions to track progress toward habilitative/rehabilitative goals and inform updates to treatment plan.
13. Collaborate with members of treatment teams by participating in case reviews, sharing art therapy observations and insights.
14. Document and communicate observed changes in patient artwork.
15. Collaborate with patients to establish art based therapeutic goals that align with their overall treatment objectives.

Rate your knowledge and experience applying specific job-related knowledge and abilities.

1. Knowledge of safe and appropriate use of art materials in high-risk environments.
2. Knowledge of art therapy techniques with an understanding of how visual expression relates to mental health diagnosis and treatment.
3. Knowledge of the characteristics of mental, emotional, physical and developmental disorders to provide effective treatment.
4. Knowledge of best practices in leading therapeutic groups.
5. Ability to analyze situations accurately and take effective and appropriate action to respond properly.
6. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally.
7. Ability to maintain tolerance, tact, patience and emotional stability, providing professional treatment and maintain safety.
8. Ability to build relationships rooted in empathy, respect, and professional ethics with patients who may have trauma or complex needs.
9. Ability to actively support a safe and hazard free workplace through practice of personal safety and vigilance in the identification of safety or security hazards.
10. Ability to adapt art projects and materials to meet diverse patient needs, cognitive levels, or security restrictions.
11. Ability to collaborate with other patient care professionals to facilitate the patient’s successful transition to the community or the next level of care.
12. Ability to prepare accurate and timely assessments, session notes, progress reports, and treatment plan updates to conduct treatment planning, implementation, and evaluation.
13. Ability to provide constructive input based on direct observation of patients’ behavior and the processing and content of patient artwork.
14. Understanding of confidentiality, HIPPA regulations, and boundaries in therapeutic relationships.
15. Demonstrated ability to maintain appropriate clinical staff/patient boundaries and report observed behavior of others that are incongruent with this practice.

• Department of State Hospitals
• State of California

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.