Psychiatric Nursing Assistant

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 Assistant I
Job Title: Psychiatric Nursing Asst I
Agency: Health & Human Services Commission
Department: Property
Posting Number: 14704
Closing Date: 06/08/2026
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Healthcare Support
Salary Range: $2,769.08-$3,547.58
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-A-10
Shift: Evening
Additional Shift: Days (First);
Evenings (Second);
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: Terrell State Hospital
Job Location City: TERRELL
Job Location Address: 1200 E BRIN
Other Locations: Terrell
MOS Codes: 4C0X1,68X,HM

Brief Job Description:

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

HHSC 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 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 maintains direct and ongoing therapeutic interactions with patients to promote living and social skills, encouraging progress toward 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 and progress toward individualized goals of the recovery plan.

Participates in shift reports and recovery team meetings. Performs nursing duties commensurate with competency under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for independent judgment. Duties and location may vary to meet hospital needs and may include exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials. This employee has full access to a limited set of records in accordance with HIPAA regulations.

Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties may include participation in disaster response and/or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation, which may require alternate shift patterns or locations.

This position may be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on evenings, nights and/or weekends.

• Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
• Takes an…