This position is located at the Rocky Mountain Regional Medical Center. The Mental Health Nursing Assistants (NA) function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients receiving acute inpatient mental health care.
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Experience or Education or Training: (1) Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA OR (2) One year of education above high school with courses related to the nursing assistant occupation OR (3) Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related [training] course of study [or program] of less than one year as a NA may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3.Select the appropriate answer based on your level of education or training that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. English Language Proficiency: NAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS-3 NA (Entry Level): (a) Experience and Education - None beyond the basic requirements. (b) Assignments - Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised. GS-4 NA: Experience - One year of specialized experience as a NA or experience in another medical field (licensed practical nurse, health technician, hospital corpsman, etc.), performing technical and nursing skills requiring knowledge of the human physical and emotional states, therapeutic communication, and technical skills required for basic and intermediate treatments; OR, Education - Successful completion of 2 years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care, health care or in a field of study appropriate to the specialization of the position, such as education in a program for psychology, psychiatric, or operating room technicians; AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: i Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents. ii Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner. iii Ability to properly use equipment, materials and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures such as bladder scan, continuous passive motion device, blood glucose monitoring machine, specimen collection, etc. iv Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals. GS-5 NA (Full Performance Level): Experience - One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs in subparagraph (c) below; OR, Education - Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree that included 24 semester hours of courses related to health care or possession of a bachelor's degree; AND Demonstrated KSAs: i Ability to assist in the full range of nursing care to patients/residents with physical and/or behavioral problems in a hospital, long-term care or outpatient setting under the direction of a Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Vocational Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse. ii Ability to communicate orally with patients/residents, families, interdisciplinary team and other personnel. This includes serving as a preceptor to new NAs by assisting with the coordination of their orientation and overseeing/assessing their practical experience while in a clinical setting. iii Ability to recognize and react to emergent patient/resident care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance. For example, recognizing need for basic life support, controlling bleeding and assisting with behavior crisis, etc. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, such as operative/ invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities baes on the patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment. These physical requirements will be consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019
Nursing Assistant - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Nursing-Assistant-Career-Flyer.pdf Duties and skills needed to be successful in this position include, but are not limited to: Practices within the scope and certification of a NA and demonstrates consistent practice related to the nursing unit where assigned. Provides care and services to multiple populations served and admitted to the nursing unit assigned for acute inpatient hospitalization. Provides care of patients and their environment contributing to optimizing patient outcomes as a member of the multi-disciplinary healthcare team. Provides direct patient care in the provision of the psychological, physical, social, and cultural activities of daily living, complete and supportive. Provides for the care of patients with dignity and continuous consideration of the individuals emotional needs. Provides reporting, communication, and documentation in the computerized patient record system with other members of the multi-disciplinary healthcare team. The NA contributes to a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment for patients and staff by cleaning equipment and ward areas. Demonstrates competency in all entry level NA skills including but not limited to Foley catheter care, application of hygiene products, infection prevention, patient mobility, feeding or assisting patients with dysphagia, use of the bladder scanner, and care of patients with C-PAP. The Mental Health NA will demonstrate Milieu Management, to include environmental rounds and safety rounds. The Mental Health NA will also assist with transporting patients to and from appointments. The Mental Health NA will occasionally float to other inpatient units in the facility to assist with staffing needs, to include any companions on the units. The NA demonstrates knowledge of and compliance with standard operating procedures for the maintenance of reusable medical equipment. The NA participates in Medical Center activities and demonstrates skills and behaviors that provide and promote positive internal and external customer relationships. The NA attends unit level and Medical Center meetings and develops as an employee to support committee participation. The NA maintains patient safety standards assuring patient privacy, physical safety, and psychological safety. The NA aids in support to the Registered Nurse and/or provider within the scope of the NA certification/grade and consistent with Medical Center Policy. The NA demonstrates the knowledge and skills to provide care and services consistent with Infection Control Standards of Practice providing optimal outcomes for patients, visitors, and employees. The NA recognizes, responds, and initiates appropriate level response to medical emergency such as cardiac and /or respiratory failure. The NA will maintain compliance with Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB) up to Level 3 containment skills. Work Schedule: Varies Compressed/Flexible: Available Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: 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. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 554-56354-A, 554-56355-A, 554-56356-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized ***This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until May 30,2025. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be April 2, 2025. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. ***