Psychiatric Nursing Assistant IV Team Lead

About the role

The Psychiatric Nursing Assistant IV (PNA Team Lead) performs advanced (senior level) rehabilitative patient care services work under the clinical supervision of a licensed nurse to provide quality psychiatric nursing care in an inpatient setting. This position serves as a team lead, coordinating assignments and specific duties for PNAs, and interacts with patients therapeutically.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates assignments and specific duties for PNAs which include assisting the patient with activities of daily living, hygiene, and eating to promote independence and self-care.
• Takes an active role in the implementation of the individualized recovery plans and offers consistent, ongoing support in assisting patients reaching their goals.
• Communicates effectively with other team members to promote a positive workplace. Shares information with other PNAs so they understand their role in supporting the patient’s treatment.
• Serves as a participant in the recovery team or admissions team. Provides on-going collaborative verbal, and written communication concerning patients. Instructs other PNAs on how to provide verbal and written communication concerning patient’s progress or lack thereof to their individualized goals. Develops plans for treatment and instructs other PNAs on how to take an active role with patients’ recovery processes.
• Uses basic computer skills and responds to questions from other PNAs on reporting procedures to communicate patient care information clearly and concisely in a timely manner.
• Assists the licensed nurse and provides guidance to other PNAs in monitoring patients for medication administration or treatment, including taking and monitoring vital signs and performing other assigned tasks within competency level.
• Promotes safety through continuous environmental awareness and positive engagement of patients to minimize unsafe situations and injuries.
• Promotes classes and programs offered and encourages patient participation. Co-facilitates groups as assigned or requested.
• Models appropriate responses in crisis or psychiatric emergency situations using the least restrictive intervention necessary by applying Treatment Intervention Protection Strategies (TIPS) including verbal de-escalation under the direct supervision of a RN to ensure the health and safety of all persons.
• Performs the CPR/Heimlich techniques and use of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) correctly and safely according to the specification of the American Heart Association.
• Instructs other PNAs on how to provide the RN with timely, clinically relevant patient information (such as possible side effects of medication, disease/injury, or behavioral escalation gained by direct observation/interaction with patients to promote safety).
• Actively participates in shift change.
• Provides objective and relevant information to the supervising RN on an ongoing basis concerning the work performance of assigned PNAs to support a more comprehensive performance evaluation and to assist in the identification of training and/or other performance improvement opportunities.
• Serves as a preceptor (orientation and on-going training) for new employees including PNA Is, IIs, and other temporarily assigned personnel to the unit.

Requirements

• Four years of work experience required.
• At least three (3) years direct care experience required.
• At least three (3) years Psychiatric patient experience preferred.
• At least three (3) years Supervisory experience preferred.

Qualifications

Knowledge and experience in CAPPS, CARE, Microsoft Word, and Excel.

Knowledge of patient aggression reduction interventions.

Knowledge of patient care techniques and of treatment, therapy, developmental, and patient centered recovery programs.

Knowledge of effective interpersonal and leadership skills and ability to interact with other team members utilizing effective interpersonal skills.

Skills in the use of computer and office equipment.

Ability to prepare and maintain records, files, and reports.

Ability to serve as a lead worker providing direction to others.

Ability to read, write and understand English to effectively communicate and carry out verbal and written instructions.

Ability to provide patient care, to administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, to conduct TIPS, and to communicate effectively.

Ability to work with others and accept supervision.

Ability to train others.

Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of patient aggression reduction interventions.

Knowledge of patient care techniques and of treatment, therapy, developmental, and patient centered recovery programs.

Knowledge of effective interpersonal and leadership skills and ability to interact with other team members utilizing effective interpersonal skills.

Skills in the use of computer and office equipment.

Ability to prepare and maintain records, files, and reports.

Ability to serve as a lead worker providing direction to others.

Ability to read, write and understand English to effectively communicate and carry out verbal and written instructions.

Ability to provide patient care, to administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, to conduct TIPS, and to communicate effectively.

Ability to work with others and accept supervision.

Ability to train others.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Knowledge and experience in CAPPS, CARE, Microsoft Word, and Excel.
• Knowledge of patient aggression reduction interventions.
• Knowledge of patient care techniques and of treatment, therapy, developmental, and patient centered recovery programs.
• Knowledge of effective interpersonal and leadership skills and ability to interact with other team members utilizing effective interpersonal skills.
• Skills in the use of computer and office equipment.
• Ability to prepare and maintain records, files, and reports.
• Ability to serve as a lead worker providing direction to others.
• Ability to read, write and understand English to effectively communicate and carry out verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to provide patient care, to administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, to conduct TIPS, and to communicate effectively.
• Ability to work with others and accept supervision.
• Ability to train others.