Psychiatric Nursing Asst III

Job Description:
All applicants must be at least 21 years of age to be considered for a role in direct care at Waco Center for Youth.

This position is available for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shifts on multiple units.

Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of each other, teamwork, and inclusivity? HSCS is dedicated to building a diverse community atmosphere where employees feel valued, supported, and accepted while providing specialized care for Texans in need. The HSCS is comprised of nine psychiatric hospitals located throughout the state and one youth residential psychiatric center in Waco. The HSCS is a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. The hospitals provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.

The Psychiatric Nursing Assistant III (PNA III) performs complex (journey-level) rehabilitative patient care services work under the clinical supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) to provide quality psychiatric nursing care in an inpatient setting. Work involves providing emergency, health, and personal care services to patients; observing, reporting and documenting, in an electronic record, patient conditions and behaviors; interacting with patients therapeutically; and participating in individualized and unit-based programming. The PNA III has a primary responsibility to maintain direct and ongoing therapeutic interactions with patients to promote living and social skills, thus encouraging progress toward a lesser restrictive environment than the hospital. As an integral member of the recovery team or admissions team, provides verbal and supportive documentation concerning individual patient behaviors, whether progress or lack thereof, toward individualized goals of the recovery plan. Participates in shift reports and recovery team meetings or admission team meetings. Performs delegated nursing duties commensurate with competency. May provide guidance and oversee the assigned tasks of the PNA I and II. Works under general supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement. Completion of work requires the performance of moderately complex duties, while decision making is based on well-defined guidelines. The PNA III has no financial responsibility but is accountable for assigned property. 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. This employee has full access to a limited set of records in accordance with HIPPA regulations.

Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor to ensure efficient operation of the patient care unit. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

This position may be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on evenings, nights and/or weekends. Essential Job Functions:
• Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift, and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy.
• Uses therapeutic communication skills in promptly and effectively engaging patients to assist them in meeting the objectives of their individual recovery plans. If working nights, maintains a quiet and restful environment to promote patients' rest and sleep. If working in admissions, facilitates the admissions process by reassuring the patient as they are evaluated and provided with the required documentation.
• Provides supportive, age-specific care to patients as assigned by the Registered Nurse (RN) or designees(s) and assists with activities of daily living, hygiene, and eating to promote independence and self-care.
• Monitors patients as assigned and maintains observation to ensure the health and safety of all persons. Escorts patients to appointments as required.
• Serves as a liaison to the recovery team or admissions team, providing ongoing verbal and written communication concerning patients' progress, or lack thereof, toward individualized goals. Takes an active role in the implementation of the individualized recovery plans and offers consistent, ongoing support in assisting patients in reaching their goals.
• 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 preparing patients for medication administration or treatment. Takes and monitors vital signs and performs other assigned tasks within competency level.
• Actively promotes safety through the continuous monitoring of the environment and active engagement of patients to minimize unsafe situations and injuries.
• Provides objective and relevant information to the supervising RN on an ongoing basis concerning the work performance of Psychiatric Nursing Assistant staff to support a more comprehensive performance evaluation and to assist in the identification of training and/or performance opportunities.
• Assists in facilitating programming offered on unit or at the facility. Co-facilitates groups as assigned or requested and encourages patients to attend.
• Responds effectively in crisis or psychiatric emergency situations using verbal de-escalation and the application of Treatment Intervention Protection Strategies (TIPS), and/or other more restrictive interventions under the direct supervision of a RN to avert crisis situations and to ensure the health and safety of all patients. Communicates effectively with other team members to ensure a culture that promotes the least restrictive interventions necessary.
• Performs CPR/Heimlich techniques and use of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) correctly and safely according to the specifications of the American Heart Association.
• In the absence of the PNA IV, provides guidance, as requested, to the PNA Is and IIs in the performance of duties assigned by a RN to maintain smooth, efficient provision of patient care.
• Provides RN with timely, clinically relevant patient information (such as possible side effects of medication, disease/injury, behavioral escalation, etc.) gained by direct observation/interaction with patients to promote safety.
• Serves as a preceptor (orientation and ongoing training) for new employees (PNA Is and IIs) and temporarily assigned personnel to the unit.
• Serves on unit and hospital committees and performance improvement workgroups as appointed.
• Serves as a role model and encourages other PNA staff to demonstrate a commitment to a culture that reduces risk to both patients and staff through support of the hospital’s safety and risk management plans, infection control programs, and restraint and seclusion reduction strategies.
• Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include, but are not limited to, actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. Knowledge Skills Abilities:
• Knowledge of patient care techniques and of treatment, therapy, developmental, and patient-centered recovery programs.
• Knowledge of basic computer skills.
• Knowledge of effective interpersonal and leadership skills and ability to interact with other team members utilizing effective interpersonal skills.
• Skill in taking vital signs.
• 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.
• Ability to train and provide guidance to others.

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