PNA II / Client Transportation

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Waco, TX

9d • $3,048 - $4,150 • Onsite

About The Position

The Psychiatric Nursing Assistant II (PNA II) - Client Transportation performs moderately complex rehabilitative patient care services under the clinical supervision of a Registered Nurse in an inpatient psychiatric setting. The role transports and escorts patients on and off facility grounds to activities and appointments, provides therapeutic support during appointments, and delivers emergency, health, and personal care. The PNA II observes, reports, and documents patient conditions and behaviors in an electronic record, performs delegated nursing duties within their competency, and carries out routine patient-care-unit duties when transportation is not needed or staffing requires it. The position may provide guidance to PNA Is and works under general supervision with limited latitude for initiative and independent judgment.

The employee is accountable for appropriate use of state gasoline credit cards and state funds for patient meals, in accordance with facility and state policy. Duties, work location, and shift patterns may change to meet hospital needs. Duties may involve exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials, and the employee has access to a limited set of records under HIPAA regulations. Other duties may include supporting disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations activation, potentially at an alternate location or on an alternate shift. The position may be eligible for additional pay for evening, night, and/or weekend work.

Requirements

• Twelve months of work experience.
• Knowledge and understanding of client rights and Texas traffic laws.
• Basic reading, writing, and arithmetic skills.
• Ability to observe and evaluate behavioral changes in individuals in a psychiatric setting.
• Verbal communication skills to help divert behavior and communicate with patients, hospital personnel, and the public; effective written communication skills.
• Basic computer skills and ability to operate standard office equipment.
• Physical and mental ability to perform Treatment Intervention and Preventative Strategies (TIPS), the Heimlich maneuver, and CPR.
• Ability to pass an agency-provided defensive driving course.
• Ability to work closely with psychiatric patients and assist physically compromised patients.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle and state vehicles and golf carts.
• Ability to lift, carry, pull, and push more than 70 pounds.
• Ability to identify and ensure correction of vehicle problems and follow procedures in unexpected events such as a motor vehicle accident while transporting patients.
• Ability to respond appropriately to medical emergencies during transport, including heart attacks and seizures.
• Ability to make decisions independently.
• Valid Texas driver's license, or ability to obtain one no later than 90 days after hire to drive a state vehicle. Applicants with an out-of-state license must provide an original certified driving record from the licensing state; an eligible driving record is required under HHSC Fleet Management policy.
• CPR certification, or ability to obtain certification within the first 60 days of employment.
• Must pass fingerprint-based criminal background, pre-employment drug, and specified registry checks.
• Must be at least 18 years old for employment at a state-operated facility; applicants for Waco and Terrell Centers for Youth must be at least 21.
• Must comply with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital immunization procedures.
• Flexibility in work hours may be required; the position may require overtime or extended hours.

Nice To Haves

• Twelve months of direct care experience.

Responsibilities

• Transport and escort patients to activities and appointments, provide therapeutic support, remain with patients at outside appointments, and ensure they have their belongings and appropriate documents.
• Drive safely and comply with state traffic laws to protect patients during transportation.
• Report patient-status information, transportation or escort issues, and unsafe conditions to supervisors or relevant departments and agencies.
• Document and communicate patient-care information clearly, accurately, and promptly using basic computer and reporting skills.
• Use state gasoline credit cards and state funds for patient meals responsibly and in accordance with applicable policies.
• Complete the vehicle check sheet daily, report vehicle issues, clean the vehicle after each trip, and maintain the vehicle mileage log.
• Monitor assigned patients and respond appropriately to maintain patient safety; perform CPR according to American Heart Association specifications.
• Use therapeutic communication and interact with patients in a caring and respectful manner to support healing and return to the least restrictive environment.
• Perform routine patient-care-unit PNA duties as needed, including environmental safety monitoring, responding to emergencies, assisting with programming, and assisting licensed nurses with delegated tasks.
• Serve as a preceptor and guide PNA Is when assigned.
• Serve on hospital unit committees when appointed.
• Immediately notify local police and the hospital in the event of an unauthorized patient departure.
• Participate in or support disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations activation, potentially on an alternate shift or at another location.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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