Nursing Assistant - Inpatient Mental Health (2B) Part-Time

Veterans Health Administration • Madison, WI

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Part-Time Nursing Assistant provides direct patient care activities to inpatients in the Mental Health 2B unit under the supervision of a registered nurse. The position assists patients with personal hygiene and activities of daily living, monitors and records vital signs, blood glucose, and weights, and reports significant variances to the responsible registered nurse. The Nursing Assistant also supports therapeutic activities, responds to call lights, assists during procedures and emergencies, reinforces patient education, follows each patient’s Plan of Care, performs assigned one-to-one observation, and transports patients for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

The work schedule is either 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. or 11:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. The vacancy may be filled at GS-03 through GS-05; GS-05 is the full performance level. The position is in the Excepted Service and requires a one- or two-year trial period.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Meet the basic qualification requirement through one of the following: six months of general experience demonstrating ability to acquire Nursing Assistant knowledge and skills; one year of education above high school with related coursework; or completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related Nursing Assistant course of less than one year.
• For GS-04, meet either one year of specialized Nursing Assistant or related medical-field experience performing technical and nursing skills, or two years of relevant education above high school; also demonstrate the stated patient-care, observation and reporting, equipment-use, and communication abilities.
• For GS-05, meet either one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-04 or a qualifying four-year course of study/bachelor’s degree with the specified health-care coursework; also demonstrate the stated nursing-care, communication, precepting, and emergency-response abilities.
• Meet the applicable grade requirements for selection at GS-03 through GS-05.
• Pass the required pre-employment physical evaluation and background/security investigation.
• Complete required onboarding and application documentation.
• Undergo urinalysis drug screening if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position; refusal results in denial of VA employment.
• Register for Selective Service if applicable to males born after December 31, 1959.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period and receive written certification for continued employment after that period.

Responsibilities

• Assist patients with personal hygiene, including bathing, shaving, brushing teeth, nail care, and hair combing.
• Provide appropriate assistance with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, transferring, ambulating, feeding, and toileting.
• Obtain and record blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and finger-stick blood glucose in the medical record; identify significant variances and report them to the responsible registered nurse.
• Weigh patients and record weights in the medical record; report significant weight variances to the responsible registered nurse.
• Assist with or perform therapeutic and diversion activities under the direct supervision of recreation, occupational, or physical therapists.
• Answer call lights promptly and in person.
• Assist during emergency treatment situations by obtaining equipment and running errands as needed.
• Assist in emergency situations, including CPR as needed.
• Assist nurses, physicians, and nurse practitioners during procedures and treatments in accordance with applicable standards and guidelines.
• Complete required initial and annual Nursing Assistant competency requirements.
• Assist the team in reinforcing patient education needs.
• Consistently follow each patient’s Plan of Care.
• Perform one-to-one observation as assigned.
• Maintain positive and constructive professional working relationships with patients, families, medical staff, volunteers, and coworkers.
• Transport patients off the unit as assigned for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA needs.
• 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.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with birth, adoption, or foster-care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a child-care subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to 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 can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED