Psychiatric Nursing Asst IV

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.

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 IV (PNA Non-Management Senior Staff) performs advanced (senior-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 coordinating emergency, health, and personal care services to patients, and instructing staff on hospital and program procedures and policies. As an integral member of the recovery team or the admissions team, provides verbal and supportive communication and documentation concerning individual patient behaviors, whether progress or lack thereof, towards individualized goals of the recovery plan. Actively participates in shift reporting and recovery team meetings, or meetings with admissions staff. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement.

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.
• The PNA IV, Non-Management Senior Staff, provides direction to other PNAs in maintaining direct and ongoing therapeutic interactions with patients to promote living and social skills, thus encouraging progress towards a lesser restrictive environment. Uses therapeutic communication skills in promptly and effectively engaging patients to assist them in meeting the objectives of their recovery plan. If working nights, oversees a quiet and restful environment to promote the patients' rest and sleep. If working in admissions, acts as Team Lead assigning the other PNAs to tasks that must be performed during the admission process, such as performing vital signs, securing the patient's personal property, presenting and explaining the patient rights booklet, all while supporting the patient as they are being evaluated for admission.
• Coordinates the observation and evaluation of patients for signs and symptoms of disease, injury, and reactions to medications that require intervention. Coordinates direct care for age-specific patients as assigned by the Registered Nurse. As the Non-Management Senior Staff, coordinates assignments and specific duties for other PNAs, which include assisting the patient with activities of daily living, hygiene, and eating to promote independence and self-care. Instructs other PNAs on the process of escorting patients to their therapeutic activities and off-campus appointments, and escorts patients as required. Instructs other staff on specific hospital and unit/program procedures and policies.
• Documents patients' goals, behaviors, and progress, and serves as a member of the patients' recovery team. Shares information with other PNAs so they understand their role in supporting the patients' treatment. Instructs other PNAs on how to provide verbal and written communication concerning patients' progress or lack thereof to their individualized goals. Develops plans for treatment and instructs other PNAs on how to take an active role with the patients as they work to achieve the goals of their recovery plans and offers consistent, ongoing support to the patients in reaching their goals.
• The PNA IV Non-Management Senior Staff assists the licensed nurse and provides guidance to other PNAs in preparing patients for medication administration or treatment, including taking and monitoring vital signs and performing other assigned tasks within competency level. Performs duties of PNA Is, IIs, and IIIs if needed due to staff shortage.
• Uses basic computer skills and responds to questions from other PNAs on reporting procedures to communicate patient care information clearly and concisely in a timely manner.
• 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 assigned PNAs to support a more comprehensive performance evaluation and to assist in the identification of training and/or other performance improvement opportunities.
• Facilitates programming offered on the treatment unit. Co-facilitates groups as assigned or requested and encourages patients to participate.
• Responds effectively in crisis or psychiatric emergency situations and provides guidance to other PNAs on verbal de-escalation and the application of Treatment Intervention Protection Strategies (TIPS). When more restrictive interventions are required, responds to the direction of the RN to avert crisis situations and to ensure the health and safety of all persons. Communicates effectively with other team members to ensure a culture that promotes the least restrictive interventions necessary.
• Performs the CPR/Heimlich techniques and use of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) correctly and safely according to the specification of the American Heart Association.
• Instructs other PNAs on how to provide the RN with timely, clinically-relevant patient information (such as possible side effects of medication, disease/injury, or behavioral escalation) gained by direct observation/interaction with patients to promote safety.
• Serves as a preceptor (orientation and ongoing training) for new employees including PNA Is, IIs, and IIIs, and other temporarily assigned personnel to the unit.
• Actively participates in shift reporting and serves on unit and hospital committees and performance improvement workgroups as appointed.
• Serves as a role model and encourages subordinate 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 and experience in CAPPS, CARE, Microsoft Word, and Excel.
• Knowledge of patient aggression reduction interventions.
• Knowledge of patient care techniques and of treatment, therapy, developmental, and patient-centered recovery programs.
• Knowledge of effective interpersonal and leadership skills and ability to interact with other team members, utilizing effective interpersonal skills.
• Skill in the use of computers and office equipment.
• Ability to prepare and maintain records, files, and reports.
• Ability to serve as a lead worker providing direction to others.
• Ability to read, write, and understand English in order to effectively communicate and carry out verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to provide patient care, to administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, to conduct TIPS, and to communicate effectively.
• Ability to work with others and accept supervision.
• Ability to train others.

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