Psychiatric Nursing Assistant I - Neuropsychiatric Unit (2JPW) - 50%

UIOWA•Iowa City, IA

21h•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Iowa Health Care Department of Nursing is seeking a Psychiatric Nursing Assistant to perform specific tasks to assist members of the Nursing team in providing patient care under the direct supervision of Registered Nurses. The role involves establishing therapeutic relationships, participating in patient care planning, documenting patient behavior, maintaining patient safety, supervising patients during activities, identifying and intervening in crisis situations, and performing patient personal hygiene. The position is for the Neuropsychiatric Unit (2JPW), a 22-bed unit caring for patients with general psychiatric conditions, thought disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar, and those with intellectual disabilities and co-occurring mental illness with challenging behaviors. This is a 50% position, requiring 20 hours per week on a day shift, with every other weekend and holiday coverage.

Requirements

Ability to read, write and follow instructions.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification.

Nice To Haves

Experience defusing volatile situations
Be a Certified Nursing Assistant
Have strong written communication skills with 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 multi-disciplinary team.
Participates in planning patient care appropriate for patient's condition and age.
Documents patient behavior in a factual, legible manner and identifies material to report to the registered nurse.
Maintains patients’ safety and security by providing physical care and assistance; follows Standard precaution.
Provides supervision of patients during activities.
Identifies potential crisis situations, reports to the registered nurse, and intervenes.
Perform patient personal hygiene such as bathing, toileting, feeding, dressing, grooming and oral care for patients.
Take temperature, pulse and blood pressure.
Clean equipment, patient bedside area and nursing unit.
Set up rooms for patient admission.
Transport patients by bed, cart or wheelchair.
Transport equipment, specimens and supplies.
Stock and supply patient rooms and Nursing unit.
Perform basic CPR as required.
Maintain patient confidentiality.
Work in an environment with conflicting demands and/or priorities and rushed and/or urgent timelines.
Manage multiple assignments and provide quick reaction and immediate response to emergencies.
Maintain attention to detail over extended period of time and continually be aware of variations in changing situations.
Strong communication skills and a tolerance for an active work environment with potential for negative behavior.
Work well with all levels and types of people.