Nurse I

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.

About the role

The Nurse I (Staff Nurse) performs entry-level to routine (journey-level) nursing work at a competent level in the state hospital under the supervision of the Charge Nurse or Nurse Manager (Nurse II/III). Conducts comprehensive assessments of patients' nursing care needs using specialized skills in an inpatient psychiatric setting. Identifies nursing diagnoses or problem lists and formulates an initial plan of care based on assessment data. Establishes unit routines and develops and maintains the therapeutic milieu.

This position may be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed in the evenings, nights and/or weekends.

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.
• Performs comprehensive assessment of patients' nursing care needs including physical, behavioral, psychiatric, and social needs.
• Observes and analyzes patient behavior and status, and documents in the medical record or reports, as needed, to other team members, including the attending psychiatrist.
• Develops or contributes to the development of the individualized recovery plan in collaboration with other recovery team members, based on data obtained from the assessment.
• Provides comprehensive individual or group health teaching and coping strategies to patients and/or families in order to meet patient/family needs.
• Utilizes one-to-one counseling skills in therapeutic interactions with patients to assist them in identifying anxiety and developing coping strategies.
• Initiates and implements population-specific nursing interventions based on appropriate standards of care for the assigned patient population.
• Administers medications and treatments as ordered by the physician and maintains medication administration (MAR) and controlled drug records according to facility policy.
• Establishes and monitors the therapeutic milieu assuring a safe and therapeutic environment for the patients.
• Provides training to other staff in psychiatric nursing principles, unit routines, and milieu management.
• Initiates and monitors the appropriate use of restraint or seclusion to ensure the safety of the patient and staff members.
• Actively participates and/or serves in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited nursing program or four-year college or university with major coursework in nursing.
• Licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the state of Texas, or in a party state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact. Or issued a temporary permit to perform duties under supervision awaiting license issue.
• If transporting patients, must possess a valid Texas driver license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date to drive a state vehicle. Applicants with an out-of-state driver’s license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of driving licensure. Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy.
• Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).
• Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco and Terrell Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.
• Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.
• Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.

Skills

• Knowledge of nursing techniques and procedures
• Knowledge of medical diagnoses and procedures
• Knowledge of accepted medical treatment programs
• Knowledge of community health and nursing care principles, practices, and procedures
• Skills in the care and treatment of patients
• Skills in the use of a computer and applicable software
• Ability to provide patient care
• Ability to prepare and maintain records
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing

Benefits

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

Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Pay

Salary Range: $5,746.66 - $6,779.25 per month

Schedule

• Full-time
• Day shift (First); Evenings (Second)
• Not eligible for telework
• Travel: Up to 5%