Nurse II

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•San Antonio, TX

6d•$6,579 - $7,762•Onsite

About The Position

The Nurse II position is housed on the Admissions Unit at San Antonio State Hospital and is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The position provides nursing care in an inpatient psychiatric setting, including assessment of patients’ physical, behavioral, psychiatric, and social needs; development of individualized recovery plans; therapeutic interactions; medication administration; and maintenance of a safe therapeutic milieu. The role also provides training to staff and may involve initiating and monitoring restraint or seclusion when appropriate to ensure patient and staff safety. The posting’s brief job description describes Nurse I (Staff Nurse) work under the supervision of a Charge Nurse or Nurse Manager, although the advertised title is Nurse II. Duties include documenting and communicating patient observations, implementing multidisciplinary recovery plans, maintaining medication and controlled-drug records, and supporting disaster response or Continuity of Operations activities when needed. The role is regular, full-time, day shift, and not eligible for telework. Flexibility in hours, overtime, extended hours, alternate shifts, or locations may be required.

Requirements

Be licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse in Texas or in a Nurse Licensure Compact party state that recognizes reciprocity, or hold a temporary permit to perform duties under supervision while awaiting license issuance.
Graduate from an accredited nursing program or a four-year college or university with major coursework in nursing.
Knowledge of nursing techniques and procedures, medical diagnoses and procedures, accepted medical treatment programs, and community health and nursing-care principles, practices, and procedures.
Skills in patient care and treatment and in using a computer and applicable software.
Ability to provide patient care, prepare and maintain records, and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Pass required fingerprint criminal background, pre-employment drug, and registry checks.
Be at least 18 years old to work at a state-operated facility.
Comply with HHSC immunization policy and applicable state-hospital immunization procedures.
If transporting patients, hold a valid Texas driver license or obtain one within 90 days after hire; applicants with an out-of-state license must provide an original certified driving record, and an eligible driving record is required under HHSC Fleet Management policy.
Male applicants ages 18–25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
Flexibility in work hours may be required; overtime or extended hours may be required.

Responsibilities

Attend work regularly and follow assigned shift schedules; work rotating schedules, extended shifts, or overtime when required.
Assess patients’ physical, behavioral, psychiatric, and social nursing-care needs.
Observe and analyze patient behavior and status, document findings in medical records, and report information to appropriate team members, including the attending psychiatrist.
Develop or contribute to individualized recovery plans in collaboration with recovery team members.
Provide individual or group health teaching and coping strategies to patients and families.
Use one-to-one counseling skills to help patients identify anxiety and develop coping strategies.
Initiate and implement population-specific nursing interventions according to applicable standards of care.
Administer ordered medications and treatments, and maintain medication administration and controlled-drug records according to facility policy.
Establish and monitor a safe, therapeutic milieu for patients.
Train staff in psychiatric nursing principles, unit routines, and milieu management.
Initiate and monitor appropriate use of restraint or seclusion to protect patients and staff.
Participate in disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations activities as assigned, potentially at an alternate shift or location.
Perform other duties as assigned.