Psychiatric Nursing Assistant I - Geriatric Psychiatry (2JPE) - 100%

UIOWA•Iowa City, IA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Iowa Health Care Department of Nursing is seeking a Psychiatric Nursing Assistant to assist the Nursing team with patient care under the direct supervision of Registered Nurses. The position serves the Geriatric Psychiatry unit at John Pappajohn Pavilion, a 14-bed inpatient unit dedicated to geriatric and adult psychiatric services. The patient population includes people with dementia, depression, anxiety, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease. Unit services include medication management, assistance with daily activities, occupational therapy, recreational therapy, and electroconvulsive therapy. The role involves establishing therapeutic relationships with patients, families, and the multidisciplinary team; supporting care planning appropriate to patients’ conditions and ages; documenting patient behavior and reporting relevant information to Registered Nurses; maintaining patient safety and security; assisting with personal care; and helping keep patient rooms and the Nursing unit clean, stocked, and ready for use. The position requires the ability to work amid conflicting priorities, urgent timelines, emergencies, changing situations, and potentially negative behavior while maintaining attention to detail and communicating effectively. This is a regular salaried position located in Iowa City, Iowa. The schedule includes rotating days of the week and rotating shifts, every other weekend, and a holiday rotation. The role is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization. Successful candidates must self-disclose any conviction history and undergo criminal background and credential/education verification.

Requirements

Ability to read, write, and follow instructions.
Ability to work in an environment with conflicting demands or priorities and rushed or urgent timelines.
Ability to manage multiple assignments and react quickly and respond immediately to emergencies.
Ability to maintain attention to detail over extended periods and remain aware of variations in changing situations.
Strong communication skills.
Tolerance for an active work environment with potential for negative behavior.
Ability to work well with all levels and types of people.

Nice To Haves

Experience defusing volatile situations.
Certified Nursing Assistant qualification.
Strong written communication skills and experience providing customer service relations.
Previous patient care experience in a Mental Health setting is highly desired.

Responsibilities

Establish therapeutic relationships with patients, families, and the multidisciplinary team.
Participate in planning patient care appropriate to each patient's condition and age.
Document patient behavior factually and legibly, and identify information to report to the Registered Nurse.
Maintain patient safety and security by providing physical care and assistance and following standard precautions.
Supervise patients during activities.
Identify potential crisis situations, report them to the Registered Nurse, and intervene.
Assist patients with personal hygiene and daily care, including bathing, toileting, feeding, dressing, grooming, and oral care.
Take patients’ temperature, pulse, and blood pressure.
Clean equipment, patient bedside areas, and the Nursing unit.
Set up rooms for patient admissions.
Transport patients by bed, cart, or wheelchair.
Transport equipment, specimens, and supplies.
Stock and supply patient rooms and the Nursing unit.
Perform basic CPR as required.
Maintain patient confidentiality.