Mental Health Inpatient Nursing Assistant

Veterans Health Administration • West Palm Beach, FL

23h • Onsite

About The Position

The Mental Health Inpatient Nursing Assistant is a member of the West Palm Beach VA nursing team who provides direct patient support in the inpatient Mental Health unit. The role provides technical, specialized, and supportive assistance to nursing, mental health, and medical staff in the diagnosis and treatment of illness and medical or psychiatric conditions. Nursing Assistants work as part of a nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in caring for patients in inpatient and outpatient settings, including medical-surgical, emergency, acute mental health, long-term care, and ambulatory care units.

The position assists with patient care, treatment plans, therapeutic and restorative activities, monitoring, documentation, equipment use, and safe patient handling. The full performance level is GS-5, and applicants may be selected at GS-3 through GS-5. The position is primarily nights, with 12- and 8-hour shifts and rotating weekends and holidays. Flexible scheduling is available; telework and virtual work are not available.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Meet the basic qualification requirement through one of the following: six months of general experience; one year of post-high-school education with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation; or completion of an intensive, specialized occupation-related training course of less than one year as a Nursing Assistant.
• For GS-4 qualification, one year of specialized Nursing Assistant or related medical-field experience, or two years of relevant post-high-school education, plus the required demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• For GS-5 qualification, one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-4 with directly related knowledge, skills, and abilities, or a bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours of health-care-related courses or a bachelor's degree, plus the required demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Ability to provide a range of nursing care to patients with physical or behavioral problems under the direction of a Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Vocational Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse.
• Ability to communicate orally with patients, families, interdisciplinary teams, and other personnel.
• Ability to recognize and respond to emergent patient-care situations while awaiting assistance.
• Ability to observe patient physical or emotional status and timely refer deviations or problems to a supervisor.
• Ability to properly use equipment, materials, and supplies for simple diagnostic and treatment procedures.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and applicable background/security investigation.
• Applicants tentatively selected for a testing-designated position are subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use; refusal results in denial of employment.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Must participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must complete the online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification and required application documents.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Physical requirements are governed by VA Directive/Handbook 5019.

Nice To Haves

• At least one year of Behavioral Health experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide patient/resident care and contribute to completion of nursing care plans and patient recovery.
• Assist with bathing, toileting, ambulation, feeding, positioning, oral hygiene, vital signs, intake and output, height and weight measurements, and application of condom catheters.
• Participate in therapeutic, rehabilitative, restorative, and supportive treatment plans, including range-of-motion exercises and application of anti-embolic stockings.
• Collect specimens, including sputum, urine, blood, and feces, and transport specimens to the laboratory.
• Perform or assist with procedures such as application of external urinary devices, oral suctioning, wound and skin care, skin barrier application, Foley catheter care, unmedicated enemas, stoma and G-tube care, ostomy care, and pressure ulcer identification.
• Use behavioral interventions and de-escalation techniques learned in PMDB training.
• Observe patients' physical and emotional status and report deviations or problems promptly to a supervisor.
• Help maintain a clean and safe environment and serve as the unit safe patient handling liaison.
• Use equipment and supplies for diagnostic and treatment procedures, including bladder scans, continuous passive motion devices, blood glucose monitoring machines, EKG machines, patient lifts, pulse oximetry, incentive spirometers, restraints, oxygen and suction equipment, specialty beds, traction devices, wheelchairs, and Velcro binders.
• Escort patients to appointments and activities within the medical center according to protocol.
• Provide one-to-one observation for patients at risk of self-harm or harm due to confused behavior; redirect and orient patients, monitor them continuously, and report changes to the RN.
• Apply protective restraints when needed and directed by the RN, and complete required documentation for one-to-one and close observation.
• Provide appropriate hand-off communication to nursing assistants and licensed staff.
• Assist with patient transfers between beds, wheelchairs, and stretchers using appropriate body mechanics and assistive devices.
• Encourage and support patient participation in group or individual therapeutic recreation activities.
• Record pertinent information in the medical record as authorized.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with birth, adoption, or foster-care placement.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a child care subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family-income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and a federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs may continue into retirement.
• Prior work or military service may qualify for annual-leave accrual credit, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed