University of Iowa Health Care Department of Nursing 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.

Adult Psychiatry Unit:
John Pappajohn Pavillion (1JPE) is a 4-bed inpatient unit with 4 beds for adults experiencing psychiatric symptoms related to mood disorders, thought disorders and, in some cases, co-occurring intellectual disabilities with psychiatric overlay. Patients are the most acutely ill and tend toward more dysregulated behavior than other adult units. Behavior management plans are supported by psychology professionals. The unit is routinely staffed with Registered Nurses, Psychiatric Nursing Assistants, and Behavioral Health Consultants within a treatment team that includes therapists, physicians, and social workers.

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Establish therapeutic relationships with patients, families and multi disciplinary team
• Participates in planning patient care appropriate for patient's condition and age
• Documents patient behavior in a factual, legible manner and identifies material to report to the registered nurse
• Maintains patients’ safety and security by providing physical care and assistance; follows Standard precaution
• Provides supervision of patients during activities
  Identifies potential crisis situations, reports to the registered nurse, and intervenes
• Perform patient personal hygiene such as bathing, toileting, feeding, dressing, grooming and oral care for patients
• Take temperature, pulse and blood pressure
• Clean equipment, patient bedside area and nursing unit
• Set up rooms for patient admission
• Transport patients by bed, cart or wheelchair
• Transport equipment, specimens and supplies
• Stock and supply patient rooms and Nursing unit
• Perform basic CPR as required
• Maintain patient confidentiality

Aptitudes required in order to perform responsibilities:

• Work in an environment with conflicting demands and/or priorities and rushed and/or urgent timelines
• Manage multiple assignments and provide quick reaction and immediate response to emergencies
• Maintain attention to detail over extended period of time and continually be aware of variations in changing situations
• Strong communication skills and a tolerance for an active work environment with potential for negative behavior
• Work well with all levels and types of people

Percent of Time: 50%

Schedule: Day-0700-1900. Rotating weekends and holidays.

Location: John Pappajohn Pavillion (JPP)

Merit Pay Plan Paygrade 04 (Merit Alpha Matrix | University Human Resources - The University of Iowa)

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. Job openings are posted for a minimum of10calendar days. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended. For questions or additional information, please contact Maggie Fraher at Maggie-Fraher@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. This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization.