Staff Nurse

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey.

About the role

The Nurse I (Staff Nurse) performs entry-level to routine (journey-level) nursing work at a competent level in the state hospital under the supervision of the Charge Nurse or Nurse Manager (Nurse II/III). This role involves conducting comprehensive assessments of patients' nursing care needs using specialized skills in an inpatient psychiatric setting, identifying nursing diagnoses or problem lists, and formulating an initial plan of care based on assessment data. The position also includes establishing unit routines, developing and maintaining the therapeutic milieu, and making observations of patient behavior and status to report to the psychiatrist and other recovery team members.

Responsibilities

• Performs comprehensive assessment of patients' nursing care needs including physical, behavioral, psychiatric, and social needs.
• Observes and analyzes patient behavior and status, and documents in the medical record or reports, as needed, to other team members, including the attending psychiatrist.
• Develops or contributes to the development of the individualized recovery plan in collaboration with other recovery team members, based on data obtained from the assessment.
• Provides comprehensive individual or group health teaching and coping strategies to patients and/or families in order to meet patient/family needs.
• Utilizes one-to-one counseling skills in therapeutic interactions with patients to assist them in identifying anxiety and developing coping strategies.
• Initiates and implements population-specific nursing interventions based on appropriate standards of care for the assigned patient population.
• Administers medications and treatments as ordered by the physician and maintains medication administration (MAR) and controlled drug records according to facility policy.
• Establishes and monitors the therapeutic milieu assuring a safe and therapeutic environment for the patients.
• Provides training to other staff in psychiatric nursing principles, unit routines, and milieu management.
• Initiates and monitors the appropriate use of restraint or seclusion to ensure the safety of the patient and staff members.
• Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy.
• Actively participates and/or serves in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation, which may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited nursing program or four-year college or university with major coursework in nursing.
• Licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the state of Texas, or in a party state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact, or issued a temporary permit to perform duties under supervision awaiting license issue.
• If transporting patients, 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’s license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of driving licensure.
• Applicants must pass 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, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).
• Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco and Terrell Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.
• Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required.

Skills

• Knowledge of nursing techniques and procedures.
• Knowledge of medical diagnoses and procedures.
• Knowledge of accepted medical treatment programs.
• Knowledge of community health and nursing care principles, practices, and procedures.
• Skills in the care and treatment of patients.
• Skills in the use of a computer and applicable software.
• Ability to provide patient care.
• Ability to prepare and maintain records.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Benefits

• 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees.
• Defined benefit pension plan.
• Generous time off benefits.
• Numerous opportunities for career advancement.

Pay

$5,746.66 - $6,779.25 per month.

Schedule

• Full-time.
• Day shift.
• Not eligible for telework.
• Travel up to 5%.
• Flexibility in work hours may be required, including overtime and/or extended hours.