Certified Nursing Assistant - Psychiatric Unit (Open & Promotional)

Job Description:

Certified Nursing Assistant - Psychiatric Unit (Open & Promotional)

Description

Description

The San Mateo Medical Center is looking for experienced Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) under the Psychiatric Unit to perform a full range of bedside care nursing, and other services required to care for patients located in an Acute care hospital.

CNAs work under the direct supervision of a registered nurse and/or licensed vocational nurse. The current vacancy is a night shift, part-time, regular vacancy.



Ideal candidates will possess the following:

• At least one year of experience working in a skilled nursing facility or acute care hospital.
• Possession of a Basic Life Support Certificate by American Heart Association.
• Experience using EPIC for recording patient information is highly preferred.
• Be flexible and can work irregular hours, including call hours.
• The ability to work in a physically demanding and high-stress environment.
• The ability to handle and lift patients.
• The ability to push and pull heavy objects.

This position requires possession of a valid Certified Nursing Assistant Certificate issued by the State of California. This position also requires a valid Basic Life Support Certificate (BLS) issued by the American Heart Association or a valid Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate issued by the American Red Cross.

NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies.

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Accurately take and record the condition, respiration, pulse, temperature and blood pressure of patients; record other pertinent information as observed or measured.
• Apply non-sterile dressings and administer non-medicated treatments under the supervision of a registered nurse, licensed physician, surgeon, podiatrist, nurse practitioner or physician assistant.
• Carry out rehabilitation procedures as directed by therapists; perform a range of motion body movement with/for patients; position and exercise patients.
• Assist in therapeutic milieu programs.
• Advise patients on the use of restorative equipment.
• Advise patients about the effects of medications.
• Assist with radiology procedures and diagnostic imaging.
• Observe and practice proper isolation techniques.
• Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• Operate various types of sterilization equipment.
• Set up oxygen and other hospital equipment as directed.
• Transport specimens, medical records, and related items.
• Lift and transport patients and heavy items such as supplies and equipment; assist in controlling violent patients.
• Bathe, feed, dress, and care for the physical and psychosocial needs of interned patients.
• Enter and retrieve a variety of information in automated systems.
• Document and sign any care provided to patient in their medical record.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Licensure/Certification :

• Possession of a Certified Nursing Assistant Certificate issued by the State of California.

NOTE: Some positions may require a current and valid Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate issued by the American Heart Association or a valid Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate issued by the American Red Cross.

Education and Experience :

• Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying.
• A typical way to qualify for is one year of experience in a hospital, institution, or approved nursing home as a nurse's assistant, orderly, ward aide or hospital attendant.

Knowledge of :

• Principles, techniques, and procedures specific to area of assignment.
• Principles and techniques in delivering patient care services related to personal hygiene, comfort, treatment, transportation, rehabilitation and physical or psychosocial needs.
• Infection control.
• Diagnostic imaging.
• Safe lifting techniques.
• Theory and practice of total body substance isolation.
• Patients' rights.
• Elder and child abuse, and domestic violence reporting requirements.

Skill/Ability to :

• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Perform a variety of tasks and activities.
• Develop and maintain empathetic attitudes toward patients.
• Help in delivering patient care in a medical setting such as bathing, feeding, bed making, dressing, and sterilization of patient care equipment.
• Observe and record patient conditions and vital signs.
• Lift and transport patients and heavy items such as supplies and equipment.
• Work with patients with multiple diagnoses.
• Work with a culturally, socio-economically diverse patient population of varying ages.

Application/Examination

Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, extra-help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.
The examination process will consist of a scored evaluation of relevant training and experience (weight: 100%) based solely on the responses to the supplemental questions. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement to the next phase of the examination process. Candidates must pass the training and experience evaluation in order to be placed on the eligible list. Successful candidates in the testing process will be placed on the eligible list in rank order according to their training and experience evaluation score. The top candidates from the eligible list will be forwarded to the hiring department for an interview, which is the basis for final selection.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply . Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Application Filing Deadline: Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 11:59 PM PST
Training & Experience Evaluation: Week of April 27, 2026

NOTE: The Training & Experience Evaluation is not an interview process and does not require candidate attendance.

Departmental Interview: The top ranked candidates on the eligible list will be forwarded to the hiring department for an interview, which may include a performance exercise. This interview process will be the basis for final selection.

About the County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity in order to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to hire, support and retain employees who reflect our diverse community.
We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.

Analyst: Debbie Kong (04082026) (Medical Services Assistant II - F079)