About this role
The University of Iowa Health Care is seeking a Psychiatric Nursing Assistant I to perform specific tasks to assist members of the nursing team in providing patient care under the direct supervision of Registered Nurses.
Psychiatric Nursing Assistant I's are unlicensed staff members who work under the direct supervision of a professional nurse. Under close supervision, performs specific nursing tasks to assist and provide for the general comfort and welfare and monitoring of psychiatric hospital patients.
The CSU is a short-stay unit with a maximum capacity of 14. Members of the interdisciplinary treatment team are prepared to manage patients who are experiencing a psychiatric crisis and in need of immediate, around-the-clock care and observation. The unit’s open concept features a large central room with comfortable reclining chairs, rather than traditional hospital beds. Spaces for individual therapy are located immediately adjacent to the central living space. The unit provides other homelike touches, including TVs, music, and web access.
Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
- Identifies effect of the environment on patients, suggests environmental modifications, and implements these as assisted.
- Assists with admission, transfer, and discharge of patients.
- Identifies potential crisis situations, reports to team leader, intervenes when necessary, and is able to avert crisis situations with patients.
- Records patient behavior accurately, identifies significant material to report to team leader.
- Cites patient's activity levels and insures appropriate coverage.
- Provides physical care to patients as assigned, including taking care and recording of vital signs.
- Plans and conducts activities with patients to enhance their social skills; identifies the need for activities of patients; plans activities according to patient needs.
- Participates in nursing care conferences; reports pertinent patient information and incidents to the team leader.
- Takes temperature, pulse and blood pressure readings for patients.
- Performs diagnostic/therapeutic procedures as needed.
- Provides transport for patients, equipment, specimens and supplies.
- Assists in orientation of new personnel and students.
- Carries out specific precautionary measures for patients.
- Demonstrates awareness of total ward situation.
- Uses limits, controls, and routines to therapeutic advantage for the patient.
- Stock and supply patient rooms and nursing units.
Percent of Time: 80%25-100%25
Schedule: Rotating shifts-Day/Evening/Night
Location: Roy J. Carver Pavilion
Rotations: Holiday rotation per unit guidelines
Benefits Highlights:
- Regular salaried position located in Iowa City, Iowa
- Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans
- For more information about Why Iowa? click here
Minimum Eligibility Requirements:
- Ability to read, write and follow instructions.
Desirable Qualification:
- Experience defusing volatile situations
- Be a Certified Nursing Assistant
- Have strong written communication skills with experience providing customer service relations
- Previous patient care experience in a Mental Health setting is highly desired.
Applicant selected for position, if external, must be available to attend a 1-week orientation session Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.
Application Process: In order to be considered, applicants must upload a resume (under submission relevant materials) that clearly address how they meet the listed required and desired qualifications of this position. Job openings are posted for a minimum of 10 calendar days. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.
Other facts
About University of Iowa
WE CARE Core Values
Welcoming: We strive for an environment where every voice is heard, emphasize, regular communication, and seek transparency wherever possible.
Excellence: We strive to achieve excellence in all that we do.
Collaboration: We believe teamwork is the best way to work.
Accountability: We behave ethically, act openly and with integrity in all that we do, taking responsibility for our actions.
Respect: We honor diversity and recognize the worth and dignity of every person.
Equity: We dedicate ourselves to equity and fairness.
Mission
Changing Medicine. Changing Lives.®
University of Iowa Health Care is changing medicine through:
• Pioneering discovery
• Innovative interprofessional education
• Delivery of superb clinical care
• An extraordinary patient experience in a multi-disciplinary, collaborative, team-based environment
University of Iowa Health Care is changing lives by:
• Preventing and curing disease
• Improving health and well-being
Vision
World Class People: Building on our greatest strength.
World Class Medicine: Creating a new standard of excellence in integrated patient care, research, and education.
For Iowa and the World: Making a difference in quality of life and health for generations.
Recognitions/ Awards
In its 2020 rankings of “Best Employer for Diversity," Forbes ranked UI Health Care No. 47 overall among large employers nationwide and No. 10 in its Healthcare & Social category.
What you'll do
- The Psychiatric Nursing Assistant I assists the nursing team in providing patient care under the supervision of Registered Nurses, focusing on the comfort and welfare of psychiatric patients. Responsibilities include monitoring patient behavior, providing physical care, and planning activities to enhance social skills.
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