Lead PCT/CNA

DHRM • Staunton, VA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Western State Hospital is hiring a Lead PCT/CNA to provide recovery-oriented direct care in a hospital setting under the supervision of licensed nursing staff. The role supports patients with serious mental illnesses, substance use issues, and/or intellectual or developmental disabilities. Lead PCTs help maintain a safe, clean, therapeutic environment and encourage patients to participate in individualized treatment plans and treatment programs for individuals and groups.

Lead PCTs are members of unit-based treatment teams and work alongside nursing staff in a hospital providing 24/7 patient care. They also contribute to the hospital’s Learning Center, where patients take classes to develop skills that support ongoing recovery. This posting is open only to current Western State Hospital employees who meet the probation requirement.

Available unit and shift assignments listed are: one position on Hickory, first or second shift; two positions on Oak, second or third shift; and two positions on Spruce, first or second shift. The role may require overtime during staffing emergencies, including shifts of up to 16 hours when necessary.

Requirements

• Must be a current Western State Hospital employee who has completed the one-year probationary period, or has had it waived to six months with a recommendation from the current RNC.
• Ability to provide direct psychiatric patient care under licensed staff supervision.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff and psychiatric patients.
• Ability to work in a secure, locked environment with people experiencing acute symptoms of mental illness and/or additional forensic or legal involvement.
• Ability to follow instructions and promptly report patient observations and behaviors verbally, in writing, or electronically.
• Knowledge of recovery-oriented and trauma-informed care.
• Skills in directing and assisting psychiatric patients with activities of daily living.
• Willingness to learn basic knowledge of developmental and psychiatric disorders, human behavior, age-specific needs, and personality development.
• Willingness to learn basic treatment measures for adult, developmentally disabled or impaired, and/or geriatric populations.
• Vision and hearing adequate to recognize and respond to hazards and ensure facility safety.
• Ability to work effectively with staff as part of a team.
• Ability to perform infection prevention and control practices and apply standards in daily activities.
• Ability to perform repetitive walking and/or standing, bending, lifting, and reaching to position, restrain, transfer, transport, or escort individuals and assist with activities of daily living.
• Ability to work overtime during staffing emergencies in a 24-hour, seven-day-per-week psychiatric hospital, potentially including a 16-hour shift when necessary.
• Complete annual competency training, including TOVA III with physical restraints.
• Complete and maintain American Heart Association Basic Life Support certification for Healthcare Providers.
• Basic computer skills.
• If certified as a CNA, maintain certification in good standing with the Virginia State Board of Nursing.

Nice To Haves

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) preferred.
• Bilingual in Spanish.
• Veteran or spouse of a veteran.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct psychiatric patient care under the supervision of licensed staff.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment.
• Support and motivate patients to engage in their individualized treatment plans.
• Deliver treatment programs to individuals and groups.
• Take patients’ vital signs and assist with activities of daily living, including feeding and cleaning.
• Provide one-on-one direct observation and serve meals.
• Use de-escalation techniques to manage patient behavior and the treatment milieu.
• Report observations and patient behaviors to licensed staff promptly, verbally, in writing, or electronically.
• Work as part of a unit-based treatment team alongside nursing staff.
• Contribute to Learning Center classes that help patients develop skills for ongoing recovery.
• Apply infection prevention and control practices in daily activities.
• Intervene appropriately in crisis or problem situations.
• Position, restrain, transfer, transport, or escort individuals and assist with activities of daily living as needed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed