Mental Health Nursing Assistant

Full Job Description

The VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) is a Level 1a major interdisciplinary teaching healthcare system, offering a variety of Inpatient and Outpatient services to Veterans at the medical center in La Jolla and at the six Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) located in Chula Vista, Escondido, Imperial Valley, Kearny Mesa, Oceanside, Sorrento Valley, and Rio Clinic.

The VASDHS provides high quality care with advanced technologies and a compassionate service to Veterans.

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: English Language Proficiency.

Nursing Assistants appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Education or Training.

Six months of general experience.

Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA;OR,](2) One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR,(3) Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related [training]course of study [or program] of less than one year as a NA may also meeting full the experience requirements forGS-3.

Grandfathering Provisions.

All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA as of May 22,2024, 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.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations: GS-3 (entry level): (a)Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. (b)Assignments.

Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised.

GS-4 Experience/Education: 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, healthcare 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; 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 Experience Full Performance Level): This is the full performance level for Nursing Assistants.

Nursing Assistants at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care or other patients/residents who are in acute, sub acute or chronic states of illness.

The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements.

Nursing Assistants at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role.

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 in subparagraph (c) 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; AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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 Nursing Assistants 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: 2-3 years working within Mental Health in the last 5 years of Nursing Assistant experience; Active BLS 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-05.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05.

Physical Requirements: The NA must be able to lift (30 lbs or more); twisting and /or bending, standing and/or walking almost constantly during the course of the day to provide patient care.

Major Duties:

The incumbent performs duties as follows : Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for veterans refers deviation to appropriate health care staff.

Makes observations of subtle changes in resident's condition, i.e. behavior shifts, mood, skin coloring, appetite, and acts accordingly within the NA's assigned role.

Documents care given, observations and responses on appropriate tools or forms, using correct format.

Performs 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 & prosthetic devices.

Works on small group activities with veterans/residents according to the patients/resident treatment plan.

Recognizes the residents' autonomy and promotes independence by means of respect, limit setting and individualized treatment. Actively participates in Interdisciplinary Team Meetings.

Utilizes equipment to promote the veteran self-care, such as: lift equipment, Hydro sound Tubs, and Veteran/Resident Wandering System.

Verbally provides patient information to the treatment team for inclusion in the veteran/residents' plan of care, participates in treatment team meetings for resident care planning.

Enters information about the residents' condition in the chart, utilizing appropriate formats.

Participates in maintaining a clean, safe environment for the patient/resident Removes defective equipment, reports hazards, observes safety regulations, contributes to infection control, and utilizes proper aseptic technique in performance of duties.

Serves as the unit safe patient handling liaison. Serves as preceptor and mentor to other NA's, orients members of the health care team to the units as appropriate.

Functions as a member of the unit-based counsel. Manages distributed patient behavior and by appropriately intervenes and request assistant from other health care members.

Recognize urgent and emergent patient care situation, appropriately initiates basic life support and seeks assistance of the RN, LVN, and/or MD/DO 18.

Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes, and to promote positive relationships, communication and socialization skills, Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery.

Effectively incorporates understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients, family members, and/or other inter/external customers.

Actively seeks out education opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice.

Obtains vital signs to include breathalyzer results, explains procedures, and monitors behavior of Veterans on the residential unit.

Assist the multidisciplinary team members in managing Veteran care (may be in milieu, group and/or individual activities).

Alerts team to "AWOL" status & reports/documents information obtained from Veteran regarding intention to AMA return to program and issues related to safety while out of the facility.

Assists with Veteran education regarding illnesses, medication and medication management. Participates in and assists in the documentation of groups as appropriate.

Provides one-to-one observation for Veterans deemed to be a suicidal risk. May assist with the escort of Veterans to/from the medical center &/or other Veteran appointments.

Checks Veteran pass request documentation/process for completeness. Participates in designated ASPIRE reviews and audits (chart, log, process).

Communicates and negotiates with all levels of the organization regarding systems problems and recommends solutions.

Utilizes CPRS, Vocera, pagers, GuiMail, email, TEAMS, BCMA, cell phone text and other information technology programs according to policy and maintains privacy.

Participates in accreditation preparation and review (TJC, CARF, etc.).

Participates in and facilitates routine functions of the program such as milieu management, room searches, urine toxicology collection, environment of care rounds, suicide monitors, and Q2h rounds.

Performs other duties as assigned Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Full Time Tour Information: 0730-2000; 6 12 Hour Shifts + 18 Hour shift per two week per year Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized