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. The PNA I provides patient care services under the clinical supervision of a licensed nurse to provide quality psychiatric nursing care in an inpatient setting. Work involves providing emergency, health, and personal care services to patients; interacting with patients therapeutically; observing, reporting and documenting, in an electronic record, patient conditions and behaviors; and participating in individualized and unit-based programming.

Responsibilities

• Takes an active role in the implementation of the individualized recovery plans and offers consistent, ongoing support in assisting patients with reaching their goals.
• Uses therapeutic, person-centered communication skills in promptly and effectively engaging patients.
• Affords assistance with activities of daily living, hygiene, and eating to promote independence and self-care.
• Accompanies patients to appointments as required.
• Communicates effectively with other team members to promote a positive workplace.
• Serves as a participant in the recovery team or admissions team. Provides on-going verbal and written communication concerning patients.
• Uses basic computer skills, documentation skills, and reporting procedures to communicate patient care information clearly and concisely in a timely manner.
• Assists the licensed nurse in monitoring patients for medication administration or treatment. Includes taking and monitoring vital signs and performing other assigned tasks within competency level.
• Proactively 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.
• Responds 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 CPR/Heimlich techniques and use of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) correctly and safely according to the specifications of the American Heart Association.

Requirements

Knowledge of patient care techniques and of treatment, therapy, developmental, and patient centered recovery programs
Knowledge of basic computer skills
Ability to read, write and understand English to effectively communicate and carry out verbal and written instructions.
Ability to provide patient care, administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and to conduct TIPS
Ability to work with others and accept supervision.

Skills

Therapeutic, person-centered communication skills
Basic computer skills
First aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Ability to work with others and accept supervision

Qualifications

Completion of work requires use of simple and/or routine duties, while decision making is based on simple and well-defined guidelines.

Benefits

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 and more.

Pay

$2,769.08 - $3,547.58 per month

Schedule

Evening