Nurse II

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • San Antonio, TX

10d • $6,579 - $7,762 • Onsite

About The Position

The Nurse II works at Terrell State Hospital and provides nursing care and shift-level coordination for patients in a specialized psychiatric hospital. Under the direct supervision of the Nurse Administrator/Nurse Manager, the nurse observes, assesses, plans, intervenes, evaluates outcomes, and documents patient care. The role provides primary proactive management for the assigned service area during the shift, supervises and evaluates nursing staff, coordinates staffing and patient-care activities, and collaborates with nursing leadership and mental-health staff to ensure continuity of care. The Nurse II may assume the Nurse Coordinator’s duties during an absence and provides direct patient care as needed.

The position includes assessing patients on admission, transfer, and an ongoing basis; carrying out medical orders and nursing interventions; supporting admissions and transfers; providing patient education; and implementing safety precautions, restraint or seclusion procedures, and patient-rights protections in accordance with policies and nursing standards. The nurse participates in abuse and neglect processes, safety monitoring, performance-improvement teams, mandatory training, and disaster response or continuity-of-operations activities. Work schedules, assignments, shifts, and locations may change to meet hospital needs. Duties may involve exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials, and the position may require overtime, extended hours, or alternate shifts and locations.

This is a full-time, regular position. The posted shift is evening, with possible assignments on day, evening, or night shifts. The position is not eligible for telework and may involve travel up to 5%. Additional pay may be available for evening, night, and/or weekend work. The posted monthly salary range is $6,579.41–$7,761.50.

Requirements

• Graduation from a nursing program accredited by the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners.
• At least six months of experience as a practicing registered nurse.
• Current license to practice as a registered nurse in Texas, or in a state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact.
• Knowledge of recognized American Nurses Association Nursing Standards, departmental policies and procedures, and the Nurse Practice Act.
• Skills in supervisory and management techniques.
• Ability to perform CPR, agency-approved aggression-management and restraint techniques, and emergency care in medical or psychiatric emergencies.
• Ability to interact positively with patients, staff, families, and the public.
• Ability to handle crisis situations calmly.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• If transporting patients, a valid Texas driver license is required, or must be obtained within 90 days after hire to drive a state vehicle; applicants with an out-of-state license must provide an original certified driving record, and an eligible driving record is required.
• Pass required fingerprint criminal-background, pre-employment drug, and registry checks.
• Comply with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital immunization procedures.
• Be at least 18 years old for employment at a state-operated facility; applicants for Waco and Terrell Center for Youth must be at least 21 years old.
• Flexibility in work hours may be required, including overtime or extended hours.

Nice To Haves

• At least six months of experience as a practicing registered nurse in a health agency, hospital, or healthcare facility.
• Bachelor’s degree.

Responsibilities

• Observe, assess, plan, intervene, evaluate outcomes, and document all aspects of patient care.
• Assess patients’ health and mental status upon admission or transfer and on an ongoing basis; document findings and plan therapeutic nursing care.
• Perform CPR and Heimlich techniques in accordance with American Heart Association specifications.
• Coordinate staffing and patient-care activities on assigned units and address performance problems promptly, documenting interventions.
• Facilitate patient admissions and transfers by communicating with admissions and unit staff, reviewing documentation, and triaging patients when needed.
• Carry out medical staff orders and implement nursing interventions consistent with nursing standards and hospital policies.
• Meet with unit nursing staff to communicate and disseminate information.
• Provide and document individual and group patient teaching about medications, illness, and special treatments using appropriate methods for patients’ age groups and cognitive levels.
• Implement ordered special precautions and restraint or seclusion procedures, explain and document rights restrictions, protect patient safety, and uphold patient rights.
• Participate in client abuse and neglect processes; assure patient safety; monitor and implement Treatment Intervention Protection Strategies (TIPS); and follow established protocols.
• Participate as the nursing representative on performance-improvement teams.
• Coordinate and administer effective utilization of nursing service personnel on assigned units.
• Supervise, counsel, and evaluate nursing staff and provide proactive management for the assigned service area during the shift.
• Collaborate with the Nurse Coordinator, other Nurse Managers, and MH Supervisor/Specialist to ensure continuity of care; assume Nurse Coordinator duties during absences.
• Provide direct nursing care to patients as needed.
• Attend mandatory training and participate in ongoing in-service, education, and training programs appropriate to the patient population.
• Participate in disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activities as assigned.
• Attend work regularly and perform other duties as assigned; accommodate specific, rotating, extended, or overtime schedules as required.

Benefits

• 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees.
• Defined benefit pension plan.
• Generous time off benefits.
• Opportunities for career advancement.
• Additional pay may be available for work performed in the evenings, nights, and/or weekends.

What This Job Offers

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