Psychiatric Nursing Assistant IV Team Lead

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • San Antonio, TX

9d • $4,095 - $5,094 • Onsite

About The Position

The Psychiatric Nursing Assistant IV Team Lead performs advanced rehabilitative patient care services in an inpatient setting under the clinical supervision of a licensed nurse. The role coordinates assignments and duties for Psychiatric Nursing Assistants (PNAs), supports patients with activities of daily living, and helps implement individualized recovery plans. The Team Lead provides therapeutic, person-centered support; observes, reports, and documents patient conditions and behaviors in an electronic record; and participates in recovery-team or admissions-team activities, shift reporting, and unit programming. The position works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment.

The Team Lead assists licensed nurses in monitoring patients during medication administration and treatment, including taking vital signs and performing other assigned tasks within the employee’s competency. The role promotes safety, supports crisis response using the least restrictive intervention necessary, and performs CPR, Heimlich techniques, and AED use according to American Heart Association specifications. The Team Lead also shares patient-care information with colleagues, provides guidance and training to other PNAs, and serves as a preceptor for new employees.

The position is based at the Terrell Center for Youth in Terrell, Texas, and is not eligible for telework. The posting lists evening shift, with possible day, night, and weekend schedules. Flexibility, rotating schedules, overtime, and extended hours may be required. Travel may be up to 5%. The position may support disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations activation, potentially at an alternate shift or location.

Requirements

• Four years of work experience.
• At least three years of direct-care experience.
• Knowledge of patient aggression-reduction interventions.
• Knowledge of patient-care techniques and treatment, therapy, developmental, and patient-centered recovery programs.
• Knowledge of effective interpersonal and leadership skills and ability to interact effectively with team members.
• Skills using computers and office equipment.
• Ability to prepare and maintain records, files, and reports.
• Ability to serve as a lead worker and provide direction to others.
• Ability to read, write, and understand English to communicate effectively and carry out verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to provide patient care, administer first aid and CPR, conduct TIPS, and communicate effectively.
• Ability to work with others and accept supervision.
• Ability to train others.
• CPR certification, or ability to obtain CPR certification within the first 60 days of employment.
• If transporting patients, a valid Texas driver license is required, or must be obtained 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, and an eligible driving record is required under HHSC Fleet Management policy.
• Must be at least 21 years old for employment at the Terrell Center for Youth.
• Must pass required fingerprint criminal background, pre-employment drug, and registry checks, including CANRS, Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, and LEIE checks.
• Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital procedures related to immunizations is required.
• Flexibility in work hours may be required, including overtime or extended hours.

Nice To Haves

• At least three years of psychiatric patient experience.
• At least three years of supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate assignments and specific duties for PNAs as team lead.
• Assist patients with activities of daily living, hygiene, and eating to promote independence and self-care.
• Support implementation of individualized recovery plans and help patients work toward their goals.
• Use therapeutic, person-centered communication to engage patients and accompany them to appointments as required.
• Communicate with team members and share information so PNAs understand their roles in supporting patient treatment.
• Participate in recovery-team or admissions-team activities and provide ongoing verbal and written communication about patients.
• Instruct PNAs on reporting patient progress toward individualized goals and on communicating patient-care information clearly and promptly.
• Develop treatment plans and instruct PNAs on supporting patients’ recovery processes.
• Use basic computer skills to document patient care information and answer PNAs’ questions about reporting procedures.
• Assist licensed nurses and guide PNAs in monitoring patients during medication administration or treatment, taking vital signs, and completing other tasks within competency.
• Promote safety through environmental awareness and positive engagement with patients to reduce unsafe situations and injuries.
• Promote available classes and programs, encourage patient participation, and co-facilitate groups as assigned or requested.
• Model appropriate responses during crises or psychiatric emergencies, using the least restrictive intervention necessary and TIPS, including verbal de-escalation, under direct RN supervision.
• Perform CPR and Heimlich techniques and use an AED safely according to American Heart Association specifications.
• Instruct PNAs on providing the RN with timely, clinically relevant information about medication side effects, illness or injury, and behavioral escalation.
• Participate actively in shift change and shift reporting.
• Provide the supervising RN with objective, relevant information about assigned PNAs’ work performance to support evaluation and identify training or performance-improvement needs.
• Serve as a preceptor by orienting and providing ongoing training to new employees, including PNA Is, IIs, and temporarily assigned personnel.
• Attend work regularly and work assigned, rotating, extended, or overtime shifts as required by agency policy and operational needs.
• Participate in disaster response or recovery and Continuity of Operations activities when required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees.
• Defined benefit pension plan.
• Generous time off benefits.
• Numerous 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: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed