Psychiatric Nursing Assistant I - 50-100% (Multiple Openings)

** This requisition represents multiple Psychiatric Nursing Assistant I openings within the department. By applying to this requisition, you will have the opportunity to be considered for all available Psychiatric Nursing Assistant I openings within this department. You will have the opportunity to indicate your preferences of location(s) and shift(s) during the application process. **

University of Iowa Health Care-recognized as one of the best hospitals in the United States-is Iowa's only comprehensive academic medical center and a regional referral center. Each day more than 12,000 employees, students, and volunteers work together to provide safe, quality health care and excellent service for our patients. Simply stated, our mission is: Changing Medicine. Changing Lives. ^®

The University of Iowa Health Care Department of Nursing is seeking Psychiatric Nursing Assistants to perform specific tasks to assist members of the Nursing team in providing patient care under the direct supervision of Registered Nurses.

Among our hospital's 811 beds, just under 200 are designated as intensive care beds. In a typical year, we perform more than 32,000 major operations and receive nearly 60,000 emergency department visits.

Possible locations for these openings include:

• Adult Psychiatry (1JPE)
• Adult Psychiatry (7RCP)
• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (1JPW)
• Geriatric Psychiatry (2JPE)
• Neuropsychiatric Unit (2JPW)
• Medicine Psychiatry (3BT)

For specific information about each unit click here.

Psychiatric Nursing Assistant II's are unlicensed staff members who are accountable to and 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.

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: 50%-100% 20-40 hours per week
Schedule: Shifts vary, but are negotiable on some units and may include weekend and holiday rotations.
Merit Pay Plan
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

Please attach a resume as part of the application process, in order to be considered for this position. This posting is for multiple openings and will be posted for 90 calendar days. At the end of the 90-day posting period, candidates may reapply to be considered for additional openings. For questions or additional information, please contact Lindsey Fudge at Lindsey-Fudge@uiowa.edu.

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 3 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization.

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preferences.