Psychiatric Nursing Assistant Supervisor

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • El Paso, TX

9d • $4,381 - $5,921 • Onsite

About The Position

The Psychiatric Nursing Assistant Supervisor performs senior-level work overseeing daily operations and the delivery of quality programs and services at an assigned unit of the El Paso Psychiatric Center. The supervisor arranges staffing schedules to ensure appropriate coverage, leads and supervises Psychiatric Nursing Assistants (PNAs), and handles hiring, training, coaching, performance feedback, time and leave accounting, and staff development. The supervisor also coaches PNA IV staff in shift leadership and in monitoring behavior management, crisis intervention, mealtime coordination, and other plans.

The position ensures that care, treatment, training, and support activities are completed and documented in accordance with individual plans. It provides guidance to staff working with individuals who exhibit challenging behaviors, supports integrated services with other disciplines, and maintains a physical presence to promote safe, sanitary, respectful, and therapeutic living conditions. The supervisor monitors health care needs, infection control, risk management, unusual-incident reporting, and continuous quality improvement, and recommends operational improvements to leadership. The role works under limited supervision with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment.

The position is full-time, regular, nonexempt, and scheduled for day shift. It is not eligible for telework and may require flexible hours, rotating or extended shifts, overtime, and participation in disaster response or continuity-of-operations activities, potentially at another shift or location. Travel may be up to 5%. The position may be eligible for additional pay for work performed evenings, nights, and/or weekends.

Requirements

• At least four years of direct patient care experience.
• At least three years of psychiatric patient care experience.
• At least two years of supervisory or team-lead experience; three years is preferred.
• Knowledge of patient care techniques, therapeutic intervention, and de-escalation techniques.
• Skill in administering first aid and CPR, responding to psychiatric emergencies including restraint and seclusion, and using Treatment Intervention Protection Strategies (TIPS).
• Ability to speak and read English and provide appropriate direct patient care.
• Ability to communicate effectively and model appropriate communication with direct-care staff and psychiatric patients, including individuals with severe and persistent psychosis or psychopathic tendencies.
• Ability to conduct, perform, teach, and mentor enhanced searches for contraband; observe, document, and report special observations for potential malingering; and teach these practices to direct-care staff.
• Ability to understand psychiatric staffing needs, schedule appropriately, and distinguish acuity levels based on observation levels, patient populations, and specialized programming needs.
• Ability to model, teach, and mentor appropriate approaches to manipulative and highly aggressive behaviors.
• Ability to demonstrate proper body mechanics, posture, and lifting techniques.
• CPR certification, or ability to obtain certification within the first 60 days of employment.
• If transporting patients, a valid Texas driver license is required, or must be obtained within 90 days of hire to drive a state vehicle; eligible driving record required. Applicants with an out-of-state license must provide an original certified driving record.
• Must pass required fingerprint criminal background, pre-employment drug, and registry checks.
• Must be at least 18 years old for employment at a state-operated facility.
• Must comply with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital immunization-related operating procedures.

Nice To Haves

• Three years of supervisory or team-lead experience is preferred.
• Related military occupations listed in the posting may be applicable; qualified active-duty military members, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations and service delivery on the assigned unit, arranging and adjusting schedules to maintain appropriate supervision and patient-care coverage.
• Lead, plan, assign, and supervise PNA activities; hire and train staff; coach performance; conduct evaluations; support staff development and retention; and review and approve time entries.
• Train and use PNA IV staff to manage shifts and monitor behavior management, crisis intervention, mealtimes, and other plans; model and coach supervisory and leadership skills.
• Ensure care, treatment, training, and support activities are completed and documented according to individual plans, and that therapeutic engagement materials are available.
• Collaborate with other disciplines and participate in Interdisciplinary Team Meetings and the development and implementation of individuals’ plans.
• Consult with, guide, and support staff in working with individuals with challenging, complex, aggressive, or self-injurious behaviors; model behavioral intervention strategies.
• Maintain a physical presence on the unit, supervise and monitor staff activities, promote respectful interactions, and assist with unit coverage as needed.
• Ensure individuals’ health care needs are met under medical supervision; administer first aid as appropriate; conduct emergency drills; and ensure significant physical or behavioral changes are reported.
• Maintain a safe and sanitary environment; ensure infection-control and risk-management procedures are followed; identify and address hazards and maintenance issues.
• Promote continuous quality improvement and compliance with Joint Commission standards; oversee unusual-incident reporting and documentation; and recommend operational improvements.
• Guide staff in understanding and implementing program procedures, policies, and laws, including Texas Administrative Code requirements; ensure appropriate abuse and neglect investigation procedures and follow-up.
• Attend routine and other assigned meetings, serve on committees, prepare reports and documentation, and assist with transporting individuals when directed.
• Participate in agency disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations activities as assigned, which may require a different shift or work location.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

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