Nursing Assistant-Inpatient Mental Health

Full Job Description

The Nursing Assistant (NA)-Inpatient Mental Health position is located at Audie L. Murphy VAMC within Nursing Service.

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.

Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. 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. Grandfathering Provision.

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 NA (Entry Level) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 NA 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; AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: i Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.

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

iii 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.

iv Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals. GS-5 NA (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 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 KSAs.

i 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.

ii 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.

iii 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: 5 years experience as a nursing assistant Mental Health or Emergency Department 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-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: This position requires the following physical functional requirement: a.

Moderate lifting 15-44 pounds; Moderate carrying 15-44 pounds; Straight pulling, 1 hour; Pushing, 1-3 hours; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers ; both hands required; Walking, 4 hours ;Standing, 2-7 hours; Kneeling, 2 hours; Repeated bending, 2 hours ; Climbing, use of legs and arms ; Both legs required ; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; : 20/40 DVA; both eyes required; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid may be permitted); sitting (8 hours); Simple grasping (2-4 hours); Fine manipulation (including keyboarding 4 - 6 hours); twisting (2 hours); Mental and emotional stability.

In addition, the incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to wear protective clothing in isolation situations or during patient operative/invasive procedures.

The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.

The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, and be able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Major Duties:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The primary role of the Mental Health Nursing Assistant will be to serve as a member of the nursing team.

You will provide a variety of duties Mental Health service to include therapeutic interactions with inpatients to include: Communication, and providing a higher level of observation for patient wellness and overall safety.

Maintains a positive therapeutic relationship by displaying respect for human dignity with patient, families and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills.

Utilize observation skills for data collection, reporting and recording patient/resident observations.

Additional duties include taking Vital Signs Personal Hygiene, Physical comfort, Activity, Exercise, Rest, Nutrition, Elimination Prevention of Skin Breakdown and Rehabilitative Aspects of Care.

Completes applicable documentation per policy to include but not limited to Intake/Output, daily weights, vital signs, pain score, hourly rounding, blood glucose testing with accurate comment for notification.

Actively participates in unit level quality improvement activities and attends huddles, team meetings, and assigned committees.

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: catheterization, colostomy care, skin care, simple dressing, application of braces and prosthetic devices.

Completes applicable documentation per policy to include but not limited to Intake/Output, daily weights, pain score, hourly rounding, blood glucose testing with accurate comment for notification.

Provides assistance to all levels of clinical and non-clinical staff when warranted and within level of competence and scope of practice as indicated within the unit specific competencies.

Is able to apply knowledge of effective verbal interactions and preventative tactics, such as the use of the least restrictive environment, when confronted by aggressive, potentially assaultive, disruptive, confused and elopement risk patients.

Maintains courtesy during telephone and direct verbal interactions with patients, families, visitors, coworkers, and supervisors.

Maintains a safe work environment and has knowledge of Safety and Infection Control Guidelines.

Work Schedule: Rotating tours to include nights, weekends and holidays 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