Nursing Assistant- Mental Health

Full Job Description

This position is located at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network, Hampton VA Medical Center in the Nursing, Mental Health Service.

The NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of veterans/residents receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute chronic, maintenance, and hospice care.

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.

[Experience or] Education or Training. (1) [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 meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3.

English Language Proficiency.

NAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j 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-5 (Full Performance Level) (a) 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, (b) 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 (c) 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. NOTE: Students/trainees may be appointed in accordance with 38 U.S.C.

§ 7405(a)(1)(D). See Part II, Chapter 3, paragraph 5 of VA Handbook 5005.

Preferred Experience: Acute inpatient mental health 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 5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 5 .

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements Major Duties:

Ability to assist with skill and effectiveness associated with nursing assistant care to veterans with physical and/or behavioral problems in an inpatient care, long term care or outpatient setting under the direction of a Registered Nurse Performs a wide variety of duties aimed at increasing the comfort, spirit, and recovery of the patient.

Measures vital signs to include temperature, pulse, respiration, pulse oximetry, blood pressure, weights, and pain measurement.

Ensures proper specimen collection to include labeling according to policy, handling, and delivery to the laboratory Transports patients and/or specimens to required destinations and prepares for and assists with examinations, diagnostic and therapeutic tests according to written procedures and policies.

Recognizes and reports to the RN or provider any significant physical, emotional, or behavioral changes in the patient.

Performs nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures to care for the veteran, such procedures but not limited to enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care dressings, application and monitoring of braces and prosthetic devices.

Utilizes equipment to promote veteran safety, such as restraints, restraint chair, and seclusion room.

Removes defective equipment, reports hazards, observes safety regulations, contributes to infection control, and utilizes proper aseptic technique in performance of duties.

The incumbent assists with therapeutic treatment techniques to include conducting groups, 1:1 observation, the proper use of restraints and deescalating techniques.

Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30pm-8:00am w/ rotating weekends.

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 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 #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional