PNA II / Client Transportation

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Waco, TX

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS 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.

The Psychiatric Nursing Assistant II (PNA II) - Client Transportation performs moderately complex (journey-level) rehabilitative patient care services work under the clinical supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) to provide quality psychiatric nursing care in an inpatient setting. Work involves transporting and escorting patients both on and off grounds to activities and appointments; providing emergency, health, and personal care services to patients; observing, reporting, and documenting, in an electronic record, patient conditions and behaviors; and interacting with patients therapeutically. Performs routine on-unit PNA II duties when transportation services are not needed and as required for staffing needs. Performs delegated nursing duties commensurate with competency. May provide guidance to the PNA Is. Works under general supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement. Completion of work requires the performance of moderately complex duties, while decision making is based on well-defined guidelines. The PNA II has no personal financial responsibility but is accountable for making purchases with state gasoline credit cards, and appropriately utilizes state monies for the purchase of patient meals as outlined in facility and state policy. Must understand that duties, location of work, and shift patterns 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. This employee has full access to a limited set of records in accordance with HIPPA regulations.

Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor to ensure efficient operation of the patient care unit. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to 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. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

This position may be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on evenings, nights, and/or weekends.

Requirements

• Knowledge and understanding of client’s rights.
• Knowledge and understanding of Texas traffic laws.
• Skill in basic reading, writing, and arithmetic.
• Skill in observing and evaluating behavior changes in individuals served in a psychiatric setting.
• Skill in verbal communication to divert the behavior of individuals who have differing abilities to understand and to respond.
• Basic computer skills and the ability to operate standard office equipment.
• Skill in verbal and written communication to effectively communicate with hospital personnel, patients, and the public when accompanying individuals to scheduled activities/appointments.
• Must be physically and mentally able to perform Treatment Intervention and Preventative Strategies (TIPS), Heimlich maneuver, and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
• Ability to pass an agency provided defensive driving course.
• Must be able to work closely with psychiatric patients.
• Must be able to assist physically compromised patients.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
• Ability to lift, carry, pull, and push over 70 pounds.
• Ability to identify and ensure correction of motor vehicle problems.
• Ability to follow appropriate procedures when involved in an unexpected occurrence such as a motor vehicle accident while transporting patients.
• Ability to respond appropriately to medical emergencies (heart attack, seizure, etc.) while in transport.
• Ability to make decisions independently.
• Must possess a valid Texas driver license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date to drive a state vehicle. Applicants with an out-of-state driver license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of driving licensure. Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy.
• CPR certification or the ability to obtain certification for CPR within the first 60 days of employment.
• Twelve (12) months' work experience required.
• Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, and 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. Waco Center for Youth applicants must be at least 21 years of age.
• Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.

Nice To Haves

• Twelve (12) months' direct care experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• 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 and performs other duties as assigned.
• Provides transportation/escort services to patients while providing therapeutic support and remaining with patients at outside appointments. Ensures patients arrive with belongings and appropriate documents.
• Demonstrates responsible behavior in the handling of motor vehicles by following state-regulated traffic laws, and drives in a safe manner to ensure the safety and well-being of patients during transport.
• Reports information regarding patient status, transportation/escort issues, unsafe conditions, etc. to supervisor and/or other departments/agencies to ensure safety, continuity, and appropriate level of care.
• Uses basic computer skills, documentation skills, and reporting procedures to communicate patient care information clearly and concisely in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates sound judgment in making purchases with state gasoline credit cards and appropriately utilizes state monies for the purchase of patient meals as outlined in facility and state policy.
• Completes check sheet daily and reports vehicle issues to supervisor and/or fleet management. Cleans vehicle after every trip and maintains vehicle mileage log.
• Monitors patients as assigned and responds appropriately to ensure patient safety. Performs CPR techniques correctly and safely according to the specifications of the American Heart Association.
• Utilizes therapeutic communication skills in interactions with patients and engages with patients in a caring, respectful manner to promote the healing process and return of the patient to the least restrictive environment.
• Performs routine PNA duties on patient care units as needed and assigned, including promoting safety by continuous monitoring of the environment, responding effectively to emergency situations, facilitating and assisting with programming, and assisting licensed nurses with any delegated tasks.
• Serves as preceptor and provides guidance to PNA Is as assigned.
• Serves on unit hospital committees as appointed.
• In the event of unauthorized departure, this staff is expected to call local PD and the hospital immediately.
• Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to 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. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Benefits

• Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more.

What This Job Offers

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