Nursing Assistant - Mental Health

Veterans Health Administration • Topeka, KS

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Nursing Assistant (NA) serves on the healthcare team at the Eastern Kansas VA Health Care System in Topeka, supporting Veterans and their families. In the Acute Psychiatry Inpatient Unit, the NA works under the clinical supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) as part of a multidisciplinary team, assisting with patient care. The position is offered at grades GS-3 through GS-5; the full performance level is GS-5.

At GS-3, the NA is entry-level, receives close supervision, and develops basic nursing skills while caring for patients with acute to chronic conditions. At GS-4, the NA is at an intermediate or developmental level, learning to provide complex care with close supervision and assistance from experienced NAs and licensed staff. At GS-5, the NA provides care for patients with needs ranging from predictable to unpredictable and assumes peer education and mentorship responsibilities.

The work schedule is 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with rotating weekends and holidays. Scheduling flexibility is determined by management. The position is not eligible for telework and is not virtual. It is a permanent position with a two-year trial period. The role involves direct patient care and physical demands including extended walking, standing and sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending or kneeling, and use of safe patient-handling and mobility protocols.

The position requires U.S. citizenship, written and spoken English proficiency, a background/security investigation, a pre-employment physical evaluation, and participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program. Selected applicants are also subject to drug screening and must complete onboarding and required application documentation. Applicants must meet the experience or education qualifications for the grade sought.

Requirements

• Meet the basic qualification 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, have one year of specialized NA experience or related medical-field experience performing technical and nursing skills, or successfully complete two years of post-high-school education with relevant courses; also demonstrate the listed GS-4 knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• For GS-4, demonstrate ability to provide patient care and contribute to care plans, observe and promptly report physical or emotional changes, use equipment for basic diagnostic and treatment procedures, and communicate effectively with patients, families, and health professionals.
• For GS-5, have one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-4, or a bachelor's degree meeting the stated education criteria; also demonstrate the listed GS-5 professional knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• For GS-5, demonstrate ability to assist with the full range of nursing care under RN or LPN direction, communicate orally with patients, families, interdisciplinary teams, and other personnel, and recognize and respond to emergencies while awaiting assistance.
• Be a U.S. citizen, except where VA policy permits appointment of non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Pass the pre-employment physical evaluation and any required background/security investigation; applicants tentatively selected for a testing-designated VA position are subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program and complete the required onboarding and application documentation.
• Serve a two-year trial period, during which continued employment is evaluated.
• Meet physical demands associated with direct patient care, including prolonged walking, standing and sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending or kneeling, and assisting patients using safe patient-handling and mobility protocols.
• Use education or degrees from institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education used to qualify must be accompanied by a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript.

Nice To Haves

• Psychiatric or hospital experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide nursing care and other services to patients seeking assistance with mental, physical, or behavioral problems.
• Perform technical and manual tasks and obtain basic patient data, including vital signs, weight, and blood glucose readings.
• Participate in care planning and carry out interventions in accordance with the treatment plan.
• Assist patients with disabilities and differing levels of mobility using safe patient-handling equipment such as lifts and slings.
• Recognize and report potential safety hazards and life-threatening emergencies, and respond appropriately.
• Support a learning environment by participating in the orientation of new employees, providing feedback, and seeking opportunities for self-improvement.
• At the GS-5 level, assist licensed nursing staff with preventive, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care as applicable to assigned patients.
• At the GS-5 level, support peer education and mentorship, including assisting with new NA orientation and assessing practical experience in a clinical setting.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 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.
• Eligible employees may receive credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for 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 childcare subsidy of up to 25% of eligible childcare costs, subject to a monthly maximum of $416.66.
• 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 may be carried into retirement.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

What This Job Offers

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