Psychiatric Nursing Asst

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full‑time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more.

Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

• Functional
  
  Title:
  
  Psychiatric Nursing Asst. I
• Job Title: Psychiatric Nursing Asst I
• Agency: Health & Human Services Comm
• Department: Develop Mntl Education
• Posting Number: 7886
• Closing Date: 03/04/2026
• Posting Audience: Internal and External
• Occupational Category: Healthcare Support
• Salary Group: TEXAS-A-10
• Salary Range: $2,769.08-$3,547.58
• Pay Frequency: Monthly
• Shift: Day
• Additional Shift: Days (First);
  Evenings (Second);
  Nights (Third);
  Weekends
• Telework: Not Eligible for Telework
• Travel: Up to 5%
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Full Time/Part Time: Full time
• FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt
• Facility
  
  Location:
  
  Vernon State Hospital
• Job Location City: VERNON
• Job Location Address: 4730 COLLEGE DR
• Other Locations:
• MOS Codes: 4C0X1,68X,HM

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 teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need.

HSCS is comprised of nine psychiatric hospitals, one youth residential treatment facility, and thirteen state supported living centers. The psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They 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 I (PNA I) performs entry‑level to routine (journey‑level) rehabilitative patient services work. The PNA I provides patient care services under the clinical supervision of a licensed nurse to provide quality psychiatric nursing care in an inpatient setting. Work involves providing emergency, health, and personal care services to patients; interacting with patients therapeutically; observing, reporting and documenting, in an electronic record, patient conditions and behaviors;

and participating in individualized and unit‑based programming. The PNA I has a primary responsibility to maintain direct and on‑going therapeutic interactions with patients to promote living and social skills, thus encouraging progress towards a lesser restrictive environment. As an integral member of the recovery team or admissions team, the PNA I provides verbal and supportive documentation concerning individual patient behaviors, progress towards individualized goals of the recovery plan.

The PNA I participates in shift reports and recovery team meetings. Performs any combination of nursing duties commensurate with competency. Works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Completion of work requires use of simple and/or routine duties, while decision making is based on simple and well‑defined guidelines. The PNA I 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. Other duties as assigned include but are not…