Nursing Assistant - Mental Health

The Nursing Assistant functions as a critical part of the nursing team on the Acute Inpatient Psychiatric Unit. This unit focuses on caring for veterans experiencing acute psychiatric symptoms.

The nursing assistant supports nursing staff by monitoring vital signs, blood glucose, performing safety rounds, and assisting with 1 : 1 monitoring.

The nursing assistant also encourages and assists with veteran hygiene as necessary. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification / licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS : Education or Training : One year above high school with courses related to the NA occupation. Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3 .

Note : A copy of college transcripts showing completion of one year of education above high school related to the NA occupation, or documentation showing completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant (, Nurse Aid Certificate) is required to verify you meet the basic education / training requirement.

While not required at the time of application, documentation may be required to receive further consideration Grandfathering Provisions : All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard (March 12, 2015) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the series and grade held that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.

For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply : Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.

If an employee who was retained (grandfathered) under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status of the grandfathering provision and must meet the full VA qualification standard basic requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

GRADE DETERMINATION : The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-3 through GS-5.

In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the qualification criteria outlined below must be met for each grade.

To receive full consideration at the GS-4 and -5 levels, your application must clearly demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) described below.

GS-3 - Entry Level Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised.

GS-4 - Developmental Level Experience. One year of specialized experience as a NA or experience in another medical field (licensed practical nurse, health technician, hospital corpsman, etc.

performing technical and nursing skills requiring knowledge of the human physical and emotional states, therapeutic communication, and technical skills required for basic and intermediate treatments.

OR Education. Successful completion of 2 years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care, health care or in a field of study appropriate to the specialization of the position, such as education in a program for psychology, psychiatric, or operating room technicians (transcripts required).

AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs : Ability to provide a range of patient / resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients / residents.

Ability to observe patients / residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and / or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.

Ability to properly use equipment, materials and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures such as bladder scan, continuous passive motion device, blood glucose monitoring machine, specimen collection, etc.

Ability to communicate effectively with patients / residents, their families and other health professionals. GS-5 - Full Performance Level Experience.

One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs listed below. OR Education. Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree that included 24 semester hours of courses related to health care or possession of a bachelor's degree (transcripts required).

AND Demonstrated KSAs : Ability to assist in the full range of nursing care to patients / residents with physical and / or behavioral problems in a hospital, long term care or outpatient setting under the direction of a Registered Nurse and / or Licensed Vocational Nurse / Licensed Practical Nurse.

Ability to communicate orally with patients / residents, families, interdisciplinary team and other personnel. This includes serving as a preceptor to new NAs by assisting with the coordination of their orientation and overseeing / assessing their practical experience while in a clinical setting.

Ability to recognize and react to emergent patient / resident care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance.

For example, recognizing need for basic life support, controlling bleeding and assisting with behavior crisis, etc. References : VA Handbook 5005 / 81, Part II, Appendix G46 Preferred Experience : Previous experience working as a Nursing Assistant or experience working within an inpatient mental health clinic is preferred, but not required.

Physical Requirements : You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position.

Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. " This duties of this position include but are not limited to : Taking and recording vital signs accurately, assisting with ambulation, transporting patients within the medical center as needed.

Observing patients who may be confused or have other cognitive issues and reports to nurse or provider when they notice any change in condition.

Initiating emergency action in life threatening situations such as cardiac and / or respiratory arrest, massive bleeding, shock, or assaultive behavior by alerting licensed personnel immediately.

Documenting vital signs and activities of daily living in the electronic record or paper record during contingency. Leading and assisting veterans to participate in group activities.

Serving meals / snacks / drinks to veterans on the unit. Completing safety rounds on the unit every 15 minutes and more often when requested.

Assisting veterans with linens and clothing when needed. Assisting nursing staff to document veteran inventory at admission and discharge.

Other duties as assigned by Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses or Providers. Work Schedule : Day Shift; 7 : 30am - 8 : 00pm Sunday - Saturday, 80 hours per biweekly pay period.

Rotating weekends and holidays Compressed / Flexible : Available Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus) : Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance) : Not Authorized Pay : Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

Additional Pay : Shift Differential - 10% of basic pay for work performed during regularly scheduled hours between 6pm and 6am.

Weekend Premium - 25% of basic pay for work performed between the hours of midnight Friday and midnight Sunday. This includes continuous service connected to work performed during these hours.

Holiday Pay - 2 times basic hourly rate for regularly scheduled, non-overtime work on a designated holiday. Paid Time Off : 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.

Parental Leave : After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy : After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $ Retirement : Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance : Federal health / vision / dental / term life / long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework : Not Available Virtual : This is not a virtual position.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report : Not required"