Psychiatric Nursing Asst IV

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.

Functional

Title:

Psychiatric Nursing Asst IV

Job Title:

Psychiatric Nursing Asst IV
Agency:
Health & Human Services Comm
Department:
Max Sec Psych  Psychology
Posting Number: 11594
Closing Date: 05/25/2026
Posting Audience:
Internal and External
Occupational Category:
Healthcare Support
Salary Group: TEXAS-A-16
Salary Range: $4,094.50-$5,094.16
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? We welcome applicants who are dependable, trustworthy, hard‑working and 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. The psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission.

We provide state‑of‑the‑art, recovery‑oriented, science‑based treatment. If you are interested in delivering hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care, we encourage you to apply.

The Psychiatric Nursing Assistant IV (PNA Team Lead) performs advanced (senior level) rehabilitative patient care services under the clinical supervision of a licensed nurse to provide quality psychiatric nursing care in an inpatient setting. The role involves coordinating assignments and duties for all PNAs, providing emergency, health, and personal care services; interacting with patients therapeutically; observing, reporting, and documenting patient conditions in an electronic record;

and participating in individualized and unit‑based programming. As a member of the recovery or admissions team, the PNA IV teams communicates verbally and in writing about patient behaviors, progress toward individualized goals, and attends shift reports and team meetings. The position requires limited supervision and significant independent judgment.

Additional duties include serving in a supporting role for agency disaster response, continuity of operations, or other emergency activities, which may require alternate shift patterns or locations. This role may also be eligible for additional pay for evening, night, weekend work and for work at maximum‑security locations.

• Attends work regularly, may work a rotating schedule, extended shift, or overtime as needed.
• Coordinates assignments and duties for PNAs, including assistance with activities of daily living, hygiene, and eating to promote independence.
• Implements individualized recovery plans and provides ongoing support to help patients reach goals.
• Engages patients therapeutically using person‑centered communication skills.
• Accompanies patients to appointments as required.
• Communicates effectively with team members and shares information to support treatment.
• Participates in recovery or admissions team meetings and provides collaborative communication about patient progress.
• Instructs other PNAs on written and verbal communication of patient status.
• Uses basic computer skills; assists PNAs with reporting procedures and timely communication of patient care information.
• Assists the licensed nurse, monitors medication administration, takes vital signs, and performs other…