Nursing Assistant - Mental Health 1 West

Nursing Assistant

The Nursing Assistant (NA) provides complex nursing care independently as a member of the nursing care team by assisting higher graded NAs, licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team. The NA is accountable for adhering to established policies, procedures, standards of care and standards of practice and for maintaining competencies consistent with role and responsibilities. The NA performs complex age specific nursing care for adult and geriatric patients with a variety of physical, mental, behavioral or psychological needs. The NA continues to provide care under supervision of a RN, are learning to perform complex nursing skills, and will refer issues / questions to a Clinical Nurse Manager (CNM) / supervisors, service RNs, LPNs, higher graded NAs, or other healthcare professionals.

Major Duties :

• Will appropriately utilize vital signs monitoring machine to collect and document appropriate vital signs reading for the assigned Veteran.
• Will appropriately utilize glucose monitoring machine to collect and document appropriate glucose readings for assigned Veteran.
• Will appropriately utilize the 12 LEAD EKG machine to collect and document appropriate 12 LEADs for the assigned Veteran.
• Maintains positive therapeutic relationships by displaying respect for human dignity with patient, families and / or significant others utilizing learned communication skills.
• Utilizes observation skills for data collection, reporting and recording Veteran observations to appropriate Staff RNs, Licensed Independent Practitioners (LIPs), or other clinicians.
• Performs aspects of nursing care to meet Veteran's needs for the following :
• Monitoring Veterans for safety (one to one observation) as assigned.
• Transportation of Veterans to other needed care in other departments.
• Completion behavioral health of clinical reminders as assigned.
• Completion environment of care safety rounds as assigned.
• Performs intentional rounding as assigned.
• Utilizes principles of proper body mechanics while caring for Veterans.
• Reports Veteran observations to the RN and or other members of the treatment team.
• Is trained to set up Veteran care related equipment.
• Organizes and obtains routine supplies and equipment.
• Assist with orienting patient / family to department routines and policies.
• Work as a cooperative, courteous member of the interdisciplinary team.
• Safeguarding the patient's right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of a confidential nature.
• Uses proper behavioral health safety practices.
• Performs other duties as assigned given proper training.
• Utilizes equipment and supplies according to procedures.

Work Schedule : Night Shift

Telework : Not Available

Virtual : This is not a virtual position.

Relocation / Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized

Requirements :

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.

All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12 / 31 / 1959.

Must be proficient in written and spoken English.

Subject to background / security investigation.

Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.

Must pass pre-employment physical examination.

Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications : 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).

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.

Grade Determinations :

GS-3 Experience : None beyond the basic requirements above.

GS-4 Experience / Education : In this role, the Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists higher graded Nursing Assistants, licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team in the care of patients / residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care, or other patients who are in acute, sub-acute, or chronic states of illness. The Nursing Assistant in this role provides care under close supervision and refers issues / questions to supervisors, higher graded Nursing Assistants, or other healthcare professionals.

GS-5 Experience : 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.