Psychiatric Nursing Assistant I - Behavioral Health Float Pool 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 perform specific tasks that support the Nursing team in providing patient care under the direct supervision of Registered Nurses. The position is located at John Pappajohn Pavilion in Iowa City, Iowa, and is scheduled for 40 hours per week on night shifts from 2300 to 0730, including every other weekend and holiday coverage. The role involves establishing therapeutic relationships with patients, families, and the multidisciplinary team; participating in patient-care planning appropriate to the patient’s condition and age; documenting patient behavior factually and legibly; maintaining patient safety and security; and assisting with personal care and routine patient-care tasks. The assistant also supports unit readiness, transports patients and supplies, and performs basic CPR as required. The position calls for someone able to work amid competing priorities, urgent timelines, emergencies, and potentially negative behavior. Candidates should be able to maintain attention to detail, respond quickly to changing situations, communicate effectively, and work well with people at all levels. The position is a regular salaried role and is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization.

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 respond quickly to emergencies.
Ability to maintain attention to detail over extended periods and remain aware of changing situations.
Strong communication skills.
Tolerance for an active work environment with potential for negative behavior.
Ability to work well with people at all levels and of all types.

Nice To Haves

Experience defusing volatile situations.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification.
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 the patient’s condition and age.
Document patient behavior in a factual, legible manner 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 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.