Psychiatric Nursing Asst I

About the role

The Psychiatric Nursing Assistant I (PNA I) performs entry-level to routine (journey-level) rehabilitative patient services work in an inpatient setting. The role involves providing emergency, health, and personal care services to patients, interacting with patients therapeutically, observing, reporting, and documenting patient conditions and behaviors, and participating in individualized and unit-based programming.

Responsibilities

• Takes an active role in implementing individualized recovery plans and offering consistent, ongoing support to assist patients in reaching their goals.
• Uses therapeutic, person-centered communication skills to engage patients promptly and effectively.
• Affords assistance with activities of daily living, hygiene, and eating to promote independence and self-care.
• Accompanies patients to appointments as needed.
• Communicates effectively with other team members to foster a positive workplace environment.
• Serves as a participant in the recovery team or admissions team, providing ongoing verbal and written communication about patients.
• Utilizes basic computer skills, documentation skills, and reporting procedures to communicate patient care information clearly and concisely.
• Maintains direct and on-going therapeutic interactions with patients to encourage progress towards a less restrictive environment.
• Monitors patients for medication administration or treatment, including taking and monitoring vital signs and performing other assigned tasks within competency level.
• Promotes safety by continuously maintaining environmental awareness and positively engaging patients to minimize unsafe situations and injuries.
• Encourages patient participation in classes and programs and co-facilitates groups as assigned or requested.
• Responds to crisis or psychiatric emergency situations using the least restrictive intervention necessary, applying Treatment Intervention Protection Strategies (TIPS) under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse.
• Performs CPR/Heimlich techniques and use of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) correctly and safely according to the specifications of the American Heart Association.

Requirements

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 license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of driving licensure. Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy.

CPR certification or the ability to obtain certification for CPR within the first 60 days of employment.

Passes 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, and List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).

Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.

Must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.

May be required to work flexible hours, overtime, and extended hours.

Complies with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations.

May be eligible for telework.