Psychiatric Nursing Assistant III

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • San Antonio, TX

81d • $3,649 - $4,594

About The Position

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. 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. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage. The Psychiatric Nursing Assistant III (PNA III) performs complex (journey-level) rehabilitative patient care services work. Provides patient care services under the clinical supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) to provide quality psychiatric nursing care in an inpatient setting. Work involves providing emergency, health, and personal care services to patients; interacting with patients therapeutically; observing, reporting, and documenting, in an electronic record, patient conditions and behaviors; and participating in individualized and unit-based programming. The PNA III has a primary responsibility to maintain direct and on-going therapeutic interactions with patients to promote living and social skills, thus encouraging progress towards a lesser restrictive environment than the hospital.

Requirements

• At least two (2) years’ work experience.
• One year of psychiatric patient experience or direct care required.
• Two years of patient experience or direct care preferred.
• Knowledge of patient care techniques and of treatment, therapy, developmental, and patient centered recovery programs.
• Knowledge of basic computer skills.
• Knowledge of effective interpersonal and leadership skills and ability to interact with other team members utilizing effective interpersonal skills.
• Skills in taking vital signs.
• Ability to read, write and understand English to effectively communicate and carry out verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to provide patient care, to administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and to conduct TIPS.
• Ability to work with others and accept supervision.
• Ability to train and provide guidance to others.

Nice To Haves

• CPR certification or the ability to obtain certification for CPR within the first 60 days of employment.
• Valid Texas driver license or ability to obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date to drive a state vehicle.

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.
• Takes an active role in the implementation of the individualized recovery plans and offers consistent, ongoing support in assisting patients reaching their goals.
• Uses therapeutic, person-centered communication skills in promptly and effectively engaging patients.
• Assists with activities of daily living, hygiene, and eating to promote independence and self-care.
• Accompanies patient to appointments as required.
• Communicates effectively with other team members to promote a positive workplace.
• Serves as a participant in the recovery team or admissions team.
• Provides on-going collaborative verbal, and written communication concerning patients.
• Uses basic computer skills, documentation skills, and reporting procedures to communicate patient care information clearly and concisely in a timely manner.
• Assists the licensed nurse in monitoring patients for medication administration or treatment.
• Proactively promotes safety through continuous environmental awareness and positive engagement of patients to minimize unsafe situations and injuries.
• Promotes classes and programs offered and encourages patient participation.
• Co-facilitates groups as assigned or requested.
• Responds and models appropriate response in crisis or psychiatric emergency situations using the least restrictive intervention necessary.
• Performs CPR/Heimlich techniques and use of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) correctly and safely according to the specifications of the American Heart Association.
• Provides RN with timely, clinically relevant patient information to promote safety.
• In the absence of the PNA IV, provides guidance, as requested, to the PNA Is and IIs in the performance of duties assigned by an RN.

Benefits

• 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees.
• Defined benefit pension plan.
• Generous time off benefits.
• Numerous opportunities for career advancement.

What This Job Offers

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