Psychiatric Nursing Asst l

About the role

The Psychiatric Nursing Assistant I (PNA I) performs entry-level to routine (journey-level) rehabilitative patient services work. 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 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

Must understand that duties, location of work, and shift patterns are subject to change as determined by the administration to meet the needs of the hospital. Must understand that duties may include exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials.

Qualifications

• Six (6) months’ work experience.
• Six months of direct care experience is preferred.

Skills

• 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.

Benefits

Completion of work requires use of simple and/or routine duties, while decision making is based on simple and well-defined guidelines. The PNA I has no financial responsibility but is accountable for assigned property.

Pay

$2,769.08 - $3,547.58 per month

Schedule

Regular Night Shift