Nursing Assistant - Acute Care Mental Health

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.

01Basic Requirements

Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. 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, 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.

02Grade Determinations

In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates 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: 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 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: 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 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. 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.

03Physical Requirements

This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, and sitting. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing. 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, able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. In the performance of duties, the incumbent may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The work consists of providing a range of resident care and contributes to the completion of the treatment plan and the recovery of residents. This can include personal care, diagnostic support procedures, treatments, charting and resident teaching.

The scope of care encompasses 24 hours, seven days a week responsibility and contributes to the functioning of all other services., The employee is required to recognize differences in a variety of situations and take appropriate action to meet the resident's needs.

Work involves assigned duties that require prioritization of tasks, selection of appropriate equipment, selection of the appropriate procedure for assigned treatments, and recognition of differences in resident's medical condition to facilitate appropriate and accurate documentation. Practice settings may include Acute Care, Urgent Care, and Mental Health. Major duties of the position include: Interacts with and provides resident specific care for residents of varying ages and lifestyles.

Adapts approaches in resident interaction based on resident specific needs. Able to determine the differences of both physical and psychological effects of aging and distinguishes between normal aging process and pathological changes Monitors oxygen flow and changes oxygen tanks. Identifies need for and administers oxygen per mask and cannula as directed by professional nurse. Identifies need for and performs oral suctioning. Aware of and monitors residents with risk factors for airway compromise or obstruction.

Recognizes emergency situations and institutes appropriate actions such as CPR, emergency measures for choking and trained in First Aid. Performs work requiring specialized knowledge of personal care procedures. Assists and encourages residents in activities of daily living (ADL), such as bed baths, showers, shampoos, oral hygiene, shaving, care of skin, nails, grooming, dressing and undressing. Offers and discusses options in the provision of nursing care with the resident whenever possible.

Encourages resident to assume responsibility for self-care. Observes, reports and documents resident behavior associated with pain. Provides emotional support and comfort measures. Accompanies residents to meals. Assist with or feeds residents as appropriate to individual and nutritional needs. Provides supervision of residents in dining areas related to compliance with diet, resident behavior and potential emergencies Assists the resident with positioning, turning, ambulating, and transferring.

Relates and adapts techniques to resident's condition Work Schedule: Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (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 Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 02518F, 02537F, 02536F, Nursing Assistant - Clinical Pathway Acute Care/Mental Health Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized