Psychiatric Nursing Asst III

Career Opportunities:
Psychiatric Nursing Asst III (11566)

Posting 11566 | Posted
06/29/2026 |
Health & Human Services Comm |
Max Sec Psych  Psychology |
Healthcare Support |
Vernon State Hospital |
Not Eligible for Telework | Other Locations (1) | Additional Shifts available (3) | $3000 - $4999 per month

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 III
• Job Title: Psychiatric Nursing Asst III
• Agency: Health & Human Services Comm
• Department: Max Sec Psych  Psychology
• Posting Number: 11566
• Closing Date: 08/19/2026
• Posting Audience: Internal and External
• Occupational Category: Healthcare Support
• Salary Group: TEXAS-A-14
• Salary Range: $3,649.83–$4,594.50
• Pay Frequency: Monthly
• Shift: Day
• Additional Shift: Evenings (Second);
  Days (First);
  Nights (Third)
• 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: Vernon
• MOS Codes: 4C0X1, 68X, HM

The Psychiatric Nursing Assistant III (PNA III) performs complex rehabilitative patient care services in an inpatient setting under clinical supervision of a Registered Nurse. Responsibilities include providing emergency, health, and personal care services, conducting and documenting patient behaviors, participating in individualized and unit-based programming, and supporting recovery team meetings. The role requires constant therapeutic interaction, documentation of patient progress, and occasional guidance of less experienced PNA I and II staff.

• Attend work regularly and may work specific shift schedules, rotating or extended shifts, including overtime in accordance with agency leave policy.
• Implement individualized recovery plans and provide ongoing support to help patients achieve goals using therapeutic, person‑centered communication.
• Assist with activities of daily living, hygiene, and eating to promote independence and self‑care, and accompany patients to appointments as required.
• Communicate effectively with team members to maintain a positive workplace environment.
• Participate in the recovery or admissions team, providing collaborative verbal and written communication regarding patients.
• Use basic computer, documentation, and reporting procedures to convey patient care information clearly and in a timely manner.
• Assist the licensed nurse in monitoring patients for medication administration or treatment, including taking vital signs and performing other assigned tasks within competency.
• Proactively promote safety through continuous environmental awareness and positive engagement to minimize unsafe situations and injuries.
• Promote classes and programs offered, encouraging patient participation, and co‑facilitate groups as assigned.
• Respond to and model appropriate actions in crisis or psychiatric emergency situations using the least restrictive intervention and applying TIPS under RN supervision to ensure safety.
• Perform CPR, Heimlich techniques, and use an AED correctly and safely per American Heart Association specifications.
• Provide timely, clinically relevant patient information to RN, such as potential medication side effects, disease/injury states, or behavioral escalations.
• Guide less experienced PNA I and II in the absence of a PNA IV as needed.
• Participate in disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation, which may require alternate shift patterns or location.

• Knowledge of patient care techniques and treatment, therapy, developmental, and patient‑centered recovery programs.
• Knowledge of basic…