Nursing Assistant (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.

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.

Education or Training. The candidate must have one year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation.

Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3.

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) Grade Determinations : GS-3 (Entry Level). There is no additional experience or education requirements beyond the basic requirements (as listed above).

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, 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 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 / Education : 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. Grandfathering Provisions.

All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA as of March 12, 2015 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).

References : VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G46, Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard. 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 : Work requires walking, standing, stooping, lifting, bending, pushing, turning, and at times carrying heavy loads.

Must be able to utilize good body mechanics and have stamina to withstand stress.