Sandra Alcazar
Austin State Hospital
ASHBURN,VA
8
years of professional experience
Psychiatric Nursing Assistant III supporting patients with chronic mental illness through therapeutic communication, ADL assistance, and close behavioral monitoring. Coordinates with nursing staff on care plans, safety protocols, and accurate electronic documentation while maintaining a calm, secure unit environment. Reinforces coping skills, group participation, and recovery goals across meals, leisure time, and structured activities.
Work History
Psychiatric Nursing Assistant III
2 Years 5 Months- Assisted patients with daily living activities and personal hygiene tasks.
- Collaborated with healthcare team to develop patient care plans.
- Implemented safety protocols to ensure a secure environment for patients.
- Educated patients on coping strategies and mental health resources.
- Observed patients during meals, leisure times, and other activities to ensure safety and well-being.
- Interacted and engaged patients with chronic mental illness in group settings and individually.
- Maintained confidentiality regarding all aspects of patient care according to HIPAA standards.
- Encouraged patients to participate in recreational activities and group therapy sessions.
- Collaborated with other healthcare professionals on developing treatment plans tailored specifically for each patient's needs.
- Monitored patient behavior and reported changes to nursing staff.
- Supported therapeutic activities in individual and group settings.
- Documented patient progress and maintained accurate records in electronic systems.
Caregiver
11 Months- Assist with activities of daily living, including serving meals, feeding patients, and assisting with ambulation, turning, and positioning.
- Provide fresh water and nourishment between meals.
- Monitor patient stability by checking vital signs, weight, urine tests, and recording intake and output.
- Provide comfort to patients by transporting them, answering their call lights, and reporting observations to nursing supervisors.
- Document patient actions, including forms, reports, logs, and records.
- Follow policies and procedures to maintain work operations.
- Keep patient information confidential, adhering to privacy standards.
- Adhere to professional standards, hospital policies, and local requirements.
- Enhance nursing department reputation by taking ownership of new tasks and finding opportunities to add value.
- Assist with grooming and bathing patients with low mobility.
- Prepare patient's rooms with necessary items (blankets, pillows, toiletries).
- Help patients with eating, taking medications, and monitoring vitals/behavior.
- Prevent bedsores by adjusting and adjusting patients in bed.
Psychiatric Nurse Assistant I
11 Months- Demonstrate empathy and provide comfort to clients.
- Assist patients with daily living activities, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and eating.
- Maintain clinical records as per hospital policies and procedures.
- Supervise residents during recreational activities.
- Assisting charge nurses with dividing staff daily assignments.
- Observe and document patient conditions and behaviors in an electronic record.
- Engage patients in therapeutic communication and individualized programming.
- Support patients in achieving their recovery goals through therapeutic interactions.
- Maintain a quiet, restful environment for patient rest and sleep.
- Assist with admission processes, including contraband checks and patient orientation.
- Support patients with activities of daily living, promoting independence and self-care.
- Act as liaison for the recovery or admissions team by providing patient information.
- Use computer skills and documentation to communicate patient care.
- Assist licensed nurses in preparing patients for medication administration and taking vital signs.
- Actively promote safety by monitoring the environment and engaging patients to minimize risk.
- Provide feedback to RN about PNA staff performance to support evaluations and identify training needs.
- Co-facilitate patient programming and encourage group attendance.
- Respond effectively to psychiatric emergencies, utilizing verbal de-escalation and TIPS techniques.
- Hold certifications in CPR, Heimlich, and use of an AED, per American Heart Association standards.
- Provide guidance to PNA I and II staff in the absence of PNA IV.
- Offer timely, clinically relevant patient information to RNs regarding medication side effects or behavioral changes.
- Serve on unit committees and participate in performance improvement workgroups.
- Encourage PNA staff commitment to safety, risk management, and infection control programs.
- Empathy: Compassionate and attentive to patient needs.
- Communication: Strong interpersonal skills, with an ability to engage patients therapeutically.
- Clinical Monitoring: Skilled in observing and documenting patient conditions, behaviors, and vital signs.
- Crisis Management: Capable of responding effectively in psychiatric emergencies using de-escalation techniques and restrictive interventions.
- Teamwork: Experience in working collaboratively with nursing and medical staff.
- Safety Awareness: Proactive in ensuring patient and staff safety through continuous monitoring.
- Administrative Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Office programs (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Publisher) and various office machines (photocopier, printer, typewriter, collating/binding machines).
- Physical and Mental Stamina: Ability to lift weights and respond effectively to emergencies as needed.
Elderly Caregiver
2 Years 10 Months- Provided compassionate personal care, ensuring comfort and safety for elderly clients.
- Assisted with daily living activities, promoting independence and enhancing quality of life.
- Managed medication schedules, ensuring adherence to prescribed health regimens.
- Developed engaging social activities tailored to individual client interests and abilities.
Education
High School - Diploma
College - Business Administration
2 yrs.
Skills
Empathy
Communication
Activities of daily living assistance
Therapeutic communication
Medication assistance
Clinical monitoring
Crisis management
Teamwork
Safety awareness
Incident reporting
Timeline
Psychiatric Nursing Assistant III
Austin State Hospital
03.2024 - CurrentRead More
Caregiver
Com-for-Care Home Care Lake Travis
01.2023 - 12.2023Read More
Psychiatric Nurse Assistant I
Austin State Hospital
01.2022 - 12.2022Read More
Elderly Caregiver
Private Client
01.2019 - 11.2021Read More
College from Business Administration
Read More
High School from Diploma
Read More
Physical And Mental Stamina
Ability to lift weights and respond effectively to emergencies as needed.