Nursing Assistant - Mental Health

Veterans Health Administration • Baltimore, MD

3d

About The Position

The Nursing Assistant (NA) provides patient care in a Mental Health setting under close supervision and with appropriate training. The NA develops skills to participate in assessing, implementing, and evaluating nursing care; refers issues and questions to supervisors, higher-graded NAs, or other healthcare professionals. The position supports patients’ physical and emotional needs as part of the nursing care team and interdisciplinary treatment team.

The vacancy may be filled at GS-03 through GS-05, with GS-05 identified as the full performance level. GS-03 is an entry-level grade, GS-04 is an intermediate or developmental grade, and GS-05 is the full performance level. The actual grade depends on the applicant’s qualifications and selection. The position is intermittent, not telework eligible, and not virtual. A higher step rate within the appropriate grade may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Meet one of the basic qualification pathways: 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-04 consideration, meet one of the following: one year of specialized NA experience or experience in another medical field involving technical and nursing skills; or two years of post-high-school education in relevant nursing care, healthcare, or appropriate related fields. GS-04 applicants must also demonstrate the listed patient-care, observation and reporting, equipment-use, and communication KSAs.
• For GS-05 consideration, meet one of the following: one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-04; or a four-year post-high-school course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree that included 24 semester hours of healthcare-related courses, or possession of a bachelor’s degree. GS-05 applicants must also demonstrate the listed nursing-care, communication and precepting, and emergency-response KSAs.
• Submit transcripts if relying on education to qualify. Education must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and come from an accredited institution. Foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Selected applicants for testing-designated positions must undergo urinalysis for illegal drug use before appointment; refusal results in denial of VA employment.
• Meet Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Complete any required trial period, background/security investigation, and online onboarding process.
• Provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements; starting May 7, 2025, a driver’s license or state-issued identification card that is not REAL ID compliant is not acceptable for this purpose.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a Department of Veterans Affairs health care personnel member.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in a Mental Health setting.

Responsibilities

• Use a glucose monitoring machine to collect and document assigned Veterans’ glucose readings.
• Maintain positive therapeutic relationships with patients, families, and significant others, respecting human dignity and using learned communication skills.
• Observe patients and collect, report, and record observations.
• Provide, under close supervision and direction or guidance from a preceptor, aspects of nursing care related to personal hygiene, physical comfort, activity, exercise, rest, nutrition, elimination, prevention of skin breakdown, and rehabilitative care.
• Participate in group activities, including off-station trips, reality orientation, current events, and other therapeutic groups.
• Use proper body mechanics and follow patient-care equipment procedures, including use of lifting equipment, to prevent injury.
• Report patient observations to the RN and/or other treatment team members.
• Set up patient-care equipment and organize and obtain routine supplies and equipment.
• Assist with orienting patients and families 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.
• Follow safety practices and procedures for using equipment and supplies.
• Complete mandatory training within required timelines and participate in annual competency assessment and validation.
• Refer issues and questions to supervisors, higher-graded NAs, or other healthcare professionals.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• Potential consideration for a higher step rate within the appropriate grade based on higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• Federal employee benefits package; eligibility and specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

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