Nursing Assistant - Inpatient Mental Health

Summary The Inpatient Mental Health Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventive - acute - sub-acute chronic - maintenance - and hospice care. Qualifications 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 • United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy • English Language Proficiency • In accordance with 38 U.S.C.

7402(d) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English • Experience - Education or Training • You must meet one of the following to meet the basic requirements for a Nursing Assistant (NA): Six (6) months of general experience • Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA • OR - One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation • OR - Completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related training course of study or program of less than one year as a NA may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above - the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade • The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade • GS-03 - None beyond the basic requirements • NAs at this grade NAs are considered entry-level and are closely supervised • GS-04 - To qualify at the GS-4 level you must meet the following: EXPERIENCE: One (1) year of experience as a Nursing Assistant or 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 two (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 • AND - in addition you must demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (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 residents' 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-05 - To qualify at the GS-5 level you must meet the following: EXPERIENCE: One (1) year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level which demonstrates knowledge - skills - and abilities (KSAs) that are directly related to the specific assignment • Specialized experience includes but is not limited to functioning as a member of the nursing care team and assisting licensed nursing staff and other members of the care team in the full range of nursing care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care - home - or community living care or other patients/residents who are receiving preventative - acute - sub-acute - chronic - maintenance - and hospice care • OR - EDUCATION: Successful completion of 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 • AND - in addition you must demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (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 • Preferred Experience: At least 2 years of Inpatient psychiatric experience • Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ • The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5.

Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity • This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing • Transferring patients and objects may be required • The NA may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures • The Nursing Assistant (NA ) may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders • The NA must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs • The NA must complete annual employee health requirements - such as annual TB screening or testing - as a condition of employment • These physical requirements will be consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019. Duties • Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties include - but are not limited to: Utilize glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for veterans refers deviation to appropriate health care staff • Provide direct care for veterans requiring complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements • Assumes role for peer education/mentorship • Makes observations of subtle changes in resident's condition - ie: shifts in behavior - mood - skin coloring - appetite - etc • and takes action accordingly within the Nursing Assistant's assigned role • Documents care given - observations and responses on appropriate tools or forms • Respond appropriately to subtle patient changes by contacting the appropriate nursing personal • Administers complete tracheostomy care - including suctioning • Monitor and documents patient intake and output reports deviations timely and accurately • Perform nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures to care for the veteran for such procedures but not limited to: enemas - catheterization - colostomy care - skin care simple dressing - application of braces and prosthetic devices • Works on small group activities with veterans according to the patient's treatment plan • Recognize the patient autonomy and promotes independence by means of respect - limit setting and individualized treatment • Demonstrate motivation and creativity in addressing problems which impede patient care • Provide direct physical and emotional care to the chronically ill and/or dying patient by attending the patient's grooming needs - feeding - elimination and psychosocial needs - thus improving the veteran's quality of life • Act as a patient advocate in ensuring patients receive all necessary care in an efficient manner • Actively participates in Treatment Planning Meetings • Utilize equipment to promote the veteran self-care - such as • lift equipment - Hydro sound Tubs - and Veteran Wandering System • Serves as preceptor and mentor to other NA's • Shares increase knowledge and skill in observation - communication - intervention and documentation abilities with other staff members • Is a mentor to new employees • Recognizes medical and psychiatric emergencies and institutes proper measure by summoning professional assistance • Appropriately initiates basic life support - takes appropriate action • Work Schedule: 8 and12 hour shifts including weekdays - weekends - and holidays • Tour determined by supervisor • Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): 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 higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade) • 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 $416.66 • 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 • Functional Statement #: 688-25140 - 25141 or 25142-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized