Alma Castro
ONTARIO,CA
Summary
Compassionate Mental Health Tech with an understanding of empathy and proactive care. Several years of experience in the field of behavioral analysis. Proficient in implementing specialized programs for individuals with intellectual, mental, emotional and developmental disabilities. Caring and well-organized with outstanding interpersonal, communication, and social skills.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
2002
2002
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Psychiatric Technician
CDCR
Corona, California
09.2013 - 10.2025
- Monitored patient behavior and reported changes to healthcare providers.
- Assisted in daily living activities to support patient care and comfort.
- Implemented therapeutic activities to promote mental wellness among patients.
- Ensured safety protocols were followed during patient interactions and treatments.
- Educated patients on coping strategies for managing mental health challenges.
- Observed patient behaviors and reported any changes or concerning issues to the psychiatrist or nurse practitioner.
- Provided direct patient care and monitored patients' physical, mental, and emotional status.
- Maintained accurate records of patient progress including daily notes on individuals' moods, activities, interactions with others.
- Administered medications as prescribed by physicians and monitored patient reactions to treatments.
- Taught clients how to manage their emotions, cope with stress, and develop healthy habits.
- Handled vital sign monitoring, medication administration and patient behavior assessments.
- Collaborated with other healthcare professionals to coordinate individualized treatment plans for each client.
- Encouraged clients to participate in self-care practices like exercise or journaling that promote overall wellbeing.
- Trained new psychiatric technicians and support staff.
- Assisted patients with daily living activities and encouraged independence.
- Applied crisis intervention techniques during patient emergencies.
- Provided emotional support to patients during their recovery process.
- Ensured safety and welfare of patients through constant supervision.
- Aided patients in performing activities of daily living.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient observations and interventions.
- Developed therapeutic relationships with clients while providing a safe environment for them to express themselves openly.
Psychiatric Technician
Lanterman Developmental Center
Pomona, California
06.2005 - 09.2013
- Monitored patient behavior and reported changes to healthcare providers.
- Assisted in daily living activities to support patient care and comfort.
- Implemented therapeutic activities to promote mental wellness among patients.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized care plans.
- Maintained accurate documentation of patient observations and interventions.
- Ensured safety protocols were followed during patient interactions and treatments.
- Educated patients on coping strategies for managing mental health challenges.
- Utilized therapeutic techniques such as positive reinforcement or distraction methods when working with agitated patients.
- Taught clients how to manage their emotions, cope with stress, and develop healthy habits.
- Administered medications as prescribed by physicians and monitored patient reactions to treatments.
Education
Psychiatric Technician Certification - Psychiatric Nursing
Mt. San Antonio College
Walnut, CA 04.2001 - 03.2002
Garey High School
Pomona, CaliforniaSkills
- Worked in a wide range of positions on a daily basis, Working with mentally ill and non-mentally ill inmate female offenders, currently incarcerated in programs such as The Enhanced outpatient program (EOP), Administration segregation (AD-SEG), Psychiatric inpatient Program - (PIP), and Crisis bed (CT) running a wide range of groups, medication pass, crisis intervention, Coleman Required Psychiatric technician rounds, first responder for medical emergencies, Taking Vital signs, dispensing medication prescribed by a Physician, 5 day follow up on inmate patients who were in crisis and need follow up care who may not have direct access to a clinician, work with the treatment team and attend IDTT meetings working with multiple disciplines on a daily basis
- LAC
- Medication administration, PO, IM, Diabetic management through Dr ordered accu checks and insulin administration Court ordered Mental health rounds, on an administrative segregation unit, referring and caring for mentally ill CCCMS inmates and also non mentally ill inmates on a segregated housing unit to a clinician when he is in crisis or in need of a mental health services, as well as checking on inmates ADL's daily orientation, cell condition, medication compliance and overall well being on a daily basis, and any side effects Work with Mentally ill inmates on EOP units passing medication as well as conducting groups on and off the unit Work with Inmates in the Mental health crisis bed unit conducting 15 minute wellness checks and medication administration, reporting to the RN and or Doctor any changes in condition of patients as needed
- CIW
- Provide a basic level of general behavioral and psychiatric nursing care to mentally and/or developmentally disabled patients both voluntary, involuntary or judicially committed patients Conducts primary observation of routine patient movement in collaboration with custody, assumes primary supervision of the patient's escort Performs nursing procedures such as administrating medications and treatments, including oral medications, hypodermic injections, taking and charting temperature, pulse, blood pressure and respirations Observes patient's physical condition and behavior and reports significant changes to the registered nurse, unit supervisor or physician and records nursing notes on all patients directly under their care Participates as a member of the multidisciplinary treatment team with the development of treatment plans and objectives from assessments of patients; assists in training of newly hired Psychiatric Technicians
Timeline
Psychiatric Technician
CDCR
09.2013 - 10.2025
Psychiatric Technician
Lanterman Developmental Center
06.2005 - 09.2013
Psychiatric Technician Certification - Psychiatric Nursing
Mt. San Antonio College
04.2001 - 03.2002
Garey High School