Nursing Assistant-Mental Health

Veterans Health Administration • Alexandria, LA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Nursing Assistant (NA)-Mental Health provides activities of daily living and a range of care that contributes to Veterans’ treatment plans, recovery, and wellness under the direction of a licensed health care provider. The role supports patients’ personal hygiene, physical comfort, activity, exercise, rest, nutrition, elimination, skin integrity, and rehabilitative care. It also includes leading psychosocial education groups and participating in therapeutic activities such as off-station trips, reality orientation, and current-events groups.

The Nursing Assistant reports patient observations to the registered nurse and/or other treatment-team members, helps orient patients and families to unit routines and policies, and works cooperatively with the interdisciplinary team. The position requires appropriate use of patient-care equipment and supplies, proper body mechanics, protection of confidential patient information, adherence to safety practices, completion of mandatory training, and participation in annual competency assessments. The employee contributes to patient safety and the therapeutic environment using skills from VA Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior training.

The full-performance level is GS-05; the vacancy may be filled at GS-03 through GS-05. Work is scheduled in variable, rotating 12-hour shifts, including weekends and holidays, and the schedule may change according to facility needs. The position is not telework or virtual. Work is performed in an office/clinic setting and may involve handling multiple tasks in stressful situations.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Meet the basic experience or education requirement through one of the following: six months of general experience demonstrating ability to acquire NA knowledge and skills; one year of post-high-school education with courses related to the NA occupation; or completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related NA training program of less than one year.
• For GS-04 qualification, one year of specialized NA or related medical-field experience, or successful completion of two years of post-high-school education in relevant coursework; candidates must also demonstrate the listed patient-care, observation and reporting, equipment-use, and communication KSAs.
• For GS-05 qualification, one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-04, or a qualifying four-year course of study with 24 semester hours of health-care-related courses or a bachelor's degree; candidates must also demonstrate the listed nursing-care, communication/precepting, and emergency-response KSAs.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and, when applicable, urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
• Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Complete a background/security investigation and the online onboarding process; provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as required.
• Meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Be able to perform the physical demands of the work, which may include standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing.
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing.

Nice To Haves

• One year of experience in a mental health environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide aspects of nursing care addressing personal hygiene, physical comfort, activity, exercise, rest, nutrition, elimination, prevention of skin breakdown, and rehabilitation.
• Lead psychosocial education groups and participate in therapeutic group activities, including off-station trips, reality orientation, and current-events groups.
• Use proper body mechanics and follow patient-care equipment procedures, including use of lifting equipment, to prevent injury.
• Report patient observations to the registered nurse and/or other members of the treatment team.
• Set up patient-care-related equipment and organize and obtain routine supplies and equipment.
• Assist patients and families with orientation to unit routines and policies.
• Work cooperatively and courteously as a member of the interdisciplinary team.
• Protect confidential patient information and safeguard patients’ right to privacy.
• Use equipment and supplies according to procedures and follow safety practices.
• Complete mandatory training within required timelines and participate in annual competency assessment and validation.
• Contribute to patient safety and the therapeutic environment using VA Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior training.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, comprising 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster-care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family-income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and 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 can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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