Nurse II

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•San Antonio, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. HHSC is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of nine psychiatric hospitals, one youth residential treatment facility, and thirteen state supported living centers. The psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below. Under the direct supervision of the Nurse Administrator\Nurse Manager, the Nurse II observes, assesses, plans, intervenes and evaluates outcomes and documents all aspects of patient care. The role possesses unique knowledge regarding the patient population to be served and may coordinate scheduling within assigned areas. This position provides primary proactive management for the service area during the assigned shift with a supportive but clear supervisory manner, supervising, counseling, and evaluating other nursing staff. The Nurse II collaborates with the Nurse Coordinator, other Nurse Managers, and MH Supervisor/Specialist to ensure 24-hour continuity of care and assumes duties of the Nurse Coordinator during absence. The position requires flexibility in work schedule, has broad latitude for initiative and independent judgment, and provides direct nursing care to individual patients as needed. Duties, location of work, and shift/pattern are subject to change as determined by the administration to meet the needs of the hospital. Duties may include exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials. This is an OD Nurse Floating position.

Requirements

Knowledge of recognized American Nurses Association Nursing Standards.
Knowledge of departmental policies and procedures.
Knowledge of the Nurse Practice Act.
Skills in supervisory and management techniques.
Skills and ability to perform CPR, agency approved aggression management and restraint techniques, and emergency care in a medical or psychiatric emergency.
Skills for positive interaction with patients, staff, families, and the public.
Ability to handle crisis situations calmly.
Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
Licensed to practice as a registered nurse (RN) in the State of Texas (or state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact).
Graduation from a Nursing Program accredited by the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners required.
At least six (6) months of experience as a practicing registered nurse is required.
Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check.
Applicants must pass a pre-employment drug screen.
Applicants must pass registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).
Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.
Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required.

Nice To Haves

At least six (6) months of experience as a practicing registered nurse in a health agency, hospital, or health-care facility is preferred.
Bachelor's Degree is preferred.

Responsibilities

Observes, assesses, plans, intervenes and evaluates outcomes and documents all aspects of patient care.
Possesses a unique knowledge regarding the patient population to be served.
May coordinate scheduling within assigned areas.
Provides primary proactive management for service area during assigned shift with a supportive but clear supervisory manner.
Supervises, counsels, and evaluates other nursing staff.
Collaborates with Nurse Coordinator, other Nurse Managers, and MH Supervisor/Specialist to ensure 24-hour continuity of care.
Assumes duties of the Nurse Coordinator during absence.
Is flexible in work schedule.
Has broad latitude for initiative and independent judgment.
Provides direct nursing care to individual patients as needed.
Understands that duties, location of work and shift/pattern are subject to change as determined by the administration to meet the needs of the hospital.
Must understand that duties may include exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials.
Performs other duties as assigned, including actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.
Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy.
Assess the health/mental status of the patient upon admission and/or transfer and on an ongoing basis and documents assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation in patient record in order to determine priorities and plan therapeutic nursing care.
Performs CPR/Heimlich techniques correctly and safely according to the specifications of the American Heart Association.
Provides direction and coordination of staffing and patient care activities on assigned units in a consultative manner with nurse administrators and staff nurses by addressing performance problems promptly and keeping accurate documentation of interventions.
Facilitates a smooth admission and/or transfer process during working hours in order to achieve the hospital mission by communicating with admissions staff, unit staff reviewing written documentation to ensure appropriate status and triage patients when needed.
Carries out medical staff orders and implements nursing interventions according to acceptable nursing care standards and hospital policies and procedures.
Meets with unit nursing staff to inform and disseminate information.
Provides and documents individual/group teaching to patients regarding medications, illness, special treatment, etc. utilizing appropriate teaching/response methods for various age groups and cognitive levels to facilitate patient learning.
Implements special precautions as ordered, explain and document rights restrictions and implements restraint/seclusion procedures according to departmental policy and established nursing standards to maintain patient safety.
Protect the patient from causing harm to self and/or others and uphold patient rights.
Participates in the client abuse and neglect process, assures patient safety, and meets patient needs, monitors, and implements Treatment Intervention Protection Strategies (TIPS).
Follows all established protocols, policies, and procedures.
Participates as the nursing representative in Performance improvement teams.
Coordinates and administers effective utilization of nursing service personnel on assigned units.
Attends mandatory trainings, participates in on-going in-service and other education and training programs appropriate to the population/age group to meet the physical, psychosocial, and cultural needs of patients.