Nursing Assistant- Intermittent Mental Health

Veterans Health Administration • Martinsburg, WV

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Intermittent Mental Health Nursing Assistant (NA) works as a member of the nursing care team, assisting licensed nursing staff in caring for patients and residents receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care. Assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs that may range from predictable to unpredictable.

The NA provides nursing procedures within the scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures, supports veteran independence and quality of life, participates in treatment planning, documents residents’ conditions, and helps maintain a safe and clean care environment. The position also includes mentoring and orienting staff, supporting safe patient handling, and recognizing and responding to medical or psychiatric emergencies under appropriate supervision.

This is an intermittent position with a sporadic and unpredictable schedule. Tours may be 7:30 a.m.–8:00 p.m. or 7:30 p.m.–8:00 a.m., including every other weekend and holidays as needed; the supervisor determines the tour of duty. The position is not telework or virtual. The full performance level is GS-05.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizen appointments when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Meet the basic Nursing Assistant education or experience 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 qualification, one year of specialized NA or related medical-field experience performing technical and nursing skills, or two years of relevant post-high-school education; GS-4 candidates must also demonstrate the stated patient-care, observation, equipment-use, and communication abilities.
• For GS-5 qualification, one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-4 in related nursing-care assignments, or a four-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree that included 24 semester hours of health-care-related courses or a bachelor’s degree; GS-5 candidates must also demonstrate the stated nursing-care, communication/precepting, and emergency-response abilities.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination and meet annual employee health requirements, including TB screening or testing.
• Pass required background/security investigation and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, pre-employment urinalysis; refusal of testing results in denial of VA employment.
• Register for Selective Service if a male born after December 31, 1959.
• Complete the online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Complete application requirements specified in the announcement’s Required Documents section.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification of continued employment.
• Meet physical and functional requirements, including visual acuity, keen hearing, clear speech, manual dexterity, and the ability to work effectively in stressful situations and shift priorities according to patient needs.
• 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 transcripts for consideration.

Nice To Haves

• VA experience.
• Mental health experience.
• Nursing assistant experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to applicable policies and standard procedures, including enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care, simple dressings, and application of braces and prosthetic devices.
• Conduct small-group activities with veterans and residents according to their treatment plans.
• Respect resident autonomy and promote independence through respectful interaction, limit setting, and individualized treatment.
• Use motivation and creativity to address problems that impede patient care.
• Provide physical and emotional care to chronically ill or dying patients, including grooming, feeding, elimination, and psychosocial needs.
• Advocate for patients to ensure they receive necessary care efficiently.
• Participate in treatment planning meetings.
• Use equipment that promotes veteran self-care, including lift equipment, Hydro sound Tubs, and the Veteran/Resident Wandering System.
• Enter information about residents’ conditions in the chart using appropriate formats.
• Help maintain a clean and safe patient/resident environment; remove defective equipment, report hazards, observe safety regulations, support infection control, and use proper aseptic technique.
• Serve as the unit safe patient handling liaison.
• Serve as a preceptor and mentor to other nursing assistants and new employees, sharing knowledge and skills in observation, communication, intervention, and documentation.
• Orient health care team members to the unit as appropriate.
• Function as a member of the unit base counsel.
• Manage and respond to patient behavior and care needs, requesting assistance from other health care members when appropriate.
• Recognize medical and psychiatric emergencies, summon professional assistance, and initiate basic life support or other appropriate action.
• Perform more complex medical nursing care treatments under RN direction and supervision, including pressure-ulcer prevention, observation, and treatment from Stage I through Stage IV.
• Assist licensed staff with bladder scanning and continence training.
• Follow universal precautions and demonstrate competence with isolation, infection control, and tuberculosis policies and procedures.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.
• After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster-care placement of a child.
• After 60 days of employment, eligible full-time employees with total family income below $144,000 may qualify for a child-care subsidy of up to 25% of eligible child-care costs, up to a monthly maximum of $416.66.
• Federal employee benefits package; eligibility and specific benefits depend on position type.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed