Nursing Assistant - Mental Health

Veterans Health Administration • Perry Point, MD

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Nursing Assistant (NA) provides care to patients and residents with acute to chronic conditions in a health care setting. This position is in Mental Health at Perry Point, Maryland. The Mental Health Nursing Assistant (MHNA) supports patients with psychiatric or behavioral health needs by assisting with daily living activities, therapeutic interventions, de-escalation, routine care, continuous monitoring, and emotional support. The role helps improve efficiency, safety, and quality outcomes while enabling nursing staff to focus on complex clinical tasks. Work is performed under close supervision, with issues and questions referred to supervisors, higher-graded NAs, or other health care professionals. The position's full performance level is GS-05, and selection may be at GS-03 through GS-05.

The work schedule is 3:30 p.m. to midnight, with rotating work every other weekend. The position is not virtual, and telework is unavailable. A sign-on bonus and relocation assistance are not authorized.

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 experience, education, or training 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 course or program of less than one year.
• For GS-4 consideration, meet one of the following: one year of specialized NA experience or experience in another medical field involving relevant technical and nursing skills; or successful completion of two years of post-high-school education in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care, health care, or a relevant specialization. GS-4 candidates must also demonstrate ability to provide patient care and contribute to care plans; observe physical or emotional status and promptly report problems; use equipment and supplies for basic diagnostic and treatment procedures; and communicate effectively with patients, families, and health professionals.
• For GS-5 consideration, meet one of the following: one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-4 directly related to the assignment; or successful completion of a four-year post-high-school course of study leading to a bachelor's degree that included 24 semester hours of health-care-related courses, or possession of a bachelor's degree. GS-5 candidates must also demonstrate ability to assist with the full range of nursing care under a registered nurse or licensed vocational/practical nurse; communicate orally with patients, families, interdisciplinary teams, and other personnel, including serving as a preceptor to new NAs; and recognize and respond to emergent patient-care situations while waiting for assistance.
• Complete a pre-employment evaluation and required onboarding and application documentation.
• Pass required background and security investigation requirements.
• Applicants tentatively selected for a testing-designated position are subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use; refusing the test results in denial of employment.
• Register for Selective Service if a male born after December 31, 1959.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a VA health care personnel requirement.
• Serve a two-year trial period; continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Education used to qualify must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and from an accredited institution. Foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript.

Nice To Haves

• Current VHA employees in this occupation may qualify under the described Grandfathering Provision if they meet its criteria.
• Prior work or military service experience may be considered for credit toward annual leave accrual, subject to request and approval before appointment.

Responsibilities

• Assist patients with daily living activities, including bathing, dressing, and eating, while ensuring safety and comfort.
• Provide care to patients and residents with acute to chronic conditions under close supervision; refer questions or issues to supervisors, higher-graded NAs, or other health care professionals.
• Observe and document patient behaviors and other observations, and report changes or deviations to nursing staff and the treatment team.
• Help implement therapeutic and recreational programs that promote emotional well-being, including group activities, off-station trips, reality orientation, and current events.
• Use a glucose monitoring machine to collect and document readings for assigned patients.
• Maintain positive therapeutic relationships by treating patients with respect and using learned communication skills with patients, families, and significant others.
• Provide nursing care related to personal hygiene, physical comfort, activity, exercise, rest, nutrition, elimination, prevention of skin breakdown, and rehabilitation.
• Use proper body mechanics while caring for patients.
• Set up patient-care equipment and organize and obtain routine supplies and equipment.
• Help orient patients and families to unit routines and policies, and work cooperatively and courteously as an interdisciplinary team member.
• Under supervision, assist with medication administration and treatment plans, maintain a clean and secure environment, and intervene during crises to prevent harm.
• Provide empathetic communication and emotional support to foster trust and stability.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, consisting of 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with birth, adoption, or foster-care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify after 60 days for a child-care subsidy of up to 25% of eligible child-care costs, subject to family-income and monthly-maximum 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