Psychiatric Nursing Assistant I - Neuropsychiatric Unit (2JPW) - 70% Days

University of Iowa Health Care Department of Nursing is seeking a Psychiatric Nursing Assistant to assist members of the Nursing team in providing patient care under the direct supervision of Registered Nurses.

About the role

2JPW is a 22-bed unit that provides care for patients with general psychiatric conditions, with a particular emphasis on thought disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar, and other psychoses. The unit also provides specialized services for patients with an intellectual disability and co-occurring mental illness with challenging behaviors.

Responsibilities

• Establish therapeutic relationships with patients, families, and multi-disciplinary team.
• Participate in planning patient care appropriate for the patient's condition and age.
• Document patient behavior in a factual, legible manner and identify material to report to the registered nurse.
• Maintain patients’ safety and security by providing physical care and assistance; follow Standard precautions.
• Provide supervision of patients during activities. Identify potential crisis situations, report to the registered nurse, and intervene.
• Perform patient personal hygiene such as bathing, toileting, feeding, dressing, grooming, and oral care.
• Take temperature, pulse, and blood pressure.
• Clean equipment, patient bedside area, and nursing unit.
• Set up rooms for patient admission.
• Transport patients by bed, cart, or wheelchair.
• Transport equipment, specimens, and supplies.
• Stock and supply patient rooms and Nursing unit.
• Perform basic CPR as required.
• Maintain patient confidentiality.

Requirements

• Ability to read, write, and follow instructions.
• Work in an environment with conflicting demands and/or priorities and rushed and/or urgent timelines.
• Manage multiple assignments and provide quick reaction and immediate response to emergencies.
• Maintain attention to detail over extended periods and continually be aware of variations in changing situations.
• Strong communication skills and a tolerance for an active work environment with potential for negative behavior.
• Work well with all levels and types of people.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience defusing volatile situations.
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
• Strong written communication skills with experience providing customer service relations.
• Previous patient care experience in a Mental Health setting.

Schedule

• 70% time (28 hours per week).
• Day shift (between the hours of 0700 and 1930).
• Alternating weekends and holidays.

Benefits

• Regular salaried position located in Iowa City, Iowa.
• Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life, and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans.

Merit Pay Plan: https://hr.uiowa.edu/pay/merit-plan

Location: John Pappajohn Pavilion (JPP).