The primary purpose of this position is to perform a wide range of patient care, diagnostic services, treatment, and charting activities in the psychiatric treatment unit. The incumbent performs duties in such a way as to encouraged patient efforts towards goals for recovery and maintains a safe and therapeutic environment while promoting a sense of worth and dignity for the patient.
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. 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. 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 NA 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.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 Nursing Assistant Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Nursing Assistant Experience. One (1) 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 two (2) years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care, healthcare 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: Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents. Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner. 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. Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals. GS-5 Nursing Assistant Experience. One (1) 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. 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. 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: VA Handbook 5005, Staffing, Part II, Appendix G17. Transmittal Sheet 5/22/2024. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-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: The incumbent must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction. This position involves considerable standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and turning. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The NA may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The NA may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The NA must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. The NA must complete annual employee health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.
Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Nursing Assistant - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Nursing-Assistant-Career-Flyer.pdf Assists patients with setting up CPAP/O2, etc. Uses equipment properly such as vial sign machines, EKG, bladder scan, AED etc. Uses phones, patient lift equipment, & camera monitoring system/call system/panic alarm system. Reports equipment malfunction to senior staff & puts in work orders when appropriate. Recognizes abnormalities & brings them to the attention of the RN. Notifies RN of results & ensures original results are made part of the permanent record. Maintains administrative & clinical files. Orders & maintains supplies for the unit to include specialized supplies pertaining to instruments used on the unit. Properly stores and/or cleans equipment when testing is completed, or patient is discharged. Maintains a therapeutic & safe ward milieu by identifying, reporting, & eliminating potential hazards. Completes unit rounds & patient safety checks. Completes hazardous item checks of unit, patients, visitors, & their belongings. Performs one-to-one observations of patients. Conducts camera monitoring of unit & patients. Identifies patient at risk for suicide/self-harm, falls, disruptive behavior, etc. Places patients in seclusion and/or restraints as directed, to ensure the safety of the patient and/or staff. Takes emergency actions in all situations, ex: cardio-pulmonary arrest, Disruptive Behavior incidents, fires, disasters, etc. Receives & directs patients, answers routine inquiries, & makes referrals. Assists patients in contacting volunteer or social services as needed. Obtains release forms. Assists patients, visitors, & others requesting information, guidance, or referral for special assistance. Participates in the admission of patients by obtaining information, orienting patients to the unit & treatment team, obtaining vital signs & weight, & checking patients & their belongings for hazardous items. Assists physicians & nurses in the care & treatment of clients, receiving medical care for psychiatric or substance use/withdrawal treatment. Observes, documents, & reports to the professional nurse changes inpatient behavior, attitude, physical complaints, medications, sensory distortions, or medical conditions. Reports reactions to/responses to treatment. Performs direct patient support work including personal patient care. Delivers meals and/or snacks to patients & assists as needed. Encourages independence in patients by instructing, guiding, & assisting patients as needed in activities of daily living. Accompanies/escorts patients to appointments, treatments, etc. in other areas of the hospital. Maintains therapeutic boundaries. Performs a range of diagnostic support duties such as taking, recording, & reporting to RN deviations in vital signs/withdrawal symptoms, collecting & labeling specimens for the laboratory. Makes gross visual observations & identifies subtle changes regarding patients' condition. Performs standard diagnostic tests or procedures (in accordance with the Nursing Procedure grid) such as VS, electrocardiograms, bladder scan, venipuncture for collection of blood specimen, & finger-sticks for glucose determinations. Encourages positive patient-family relationships. Teaches patients & family members the necessity of continuing proper health care. Encourages patient & family to actively participate in the individualized treatment plan. Provides specific health information based on the patients' condition, including facility health promotion programs (tobacco cessation, weight loss programs). Gives patient & family after-care instructions. Conducts patient meetings & groups. Follows designated charting techniques to post patient charts that provide an outline of summary of patients' care. Documents pertinent information including current health status & subtle changes in patients' status & subtle changes in patients' status. Maintains patient & clinical records from admission to discharge. Provides personal patient care & educating patients on pre-testing & post procedure activities. Documents patients' physical & emotional status & response to nursing interventions, using the problems oriented medical record format. Secures patient confidence & cooperation during the hospital stay, including explaining procedures & guidelines. Maintains therapeutic boundaries. Promotes a sense of ego integrity, self-worth, & dignity by acknowledging patient's acceptable behavior & progress to recovery. Provides general clerical administrative support coordination work for the unit. Maintains patient records/charts. Updates unit forms and/or worksheets. Orders & maintains supplies for the unit. Work Schedule: 24/7 rotating schedules Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 60666-0, 60667-0, 60668-0