Nursing Assistant - PCS, Inpatient Mental Health
What you'd do
This is the full performance level for Nursing Assistant (NA) occupation 0621 series. The NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventive, acute, sub- acute chronic, maintenance, and hospice care. The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements.
Major duties
**Current permanent VA employees and Federal employees from other federal agencies should apply under CBST-13006924-26-LS** Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties of the Nursing Assistant include, but are not limited to: Functions as a member of the nursing care team and assist higher graded NAs, licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care, or other patients/residents who are in acute, sub-acute, or chronic states of illness. Assumes more of a peer education/mentorship role. Maintains patient confidentiality (i.e., records, hospital course, treatments, etc.). Moves patients or others throughout the facility or grounds to appointments or other areas as needed. Provides safe timely transport utilizing appropriate safe patient handling equipment. Provides complete personal hygiene needs and documents in the veteran's records. Promotes the physical independence of the patient by encouraging and teaching individual patients and groups of patients in self-care activities such as progressive steps in personal hygiene, bathing, and oral care, also assists in teaching and encouraging other care activities such as eating, dressing, undressing, and bladder and other training as needed. Takes and records vital signs and weights. Reports change of status to RN Cleans reusable medical equipment on the unit and maintains a neat and orderly patient care environment. Ability to observe patients/residents' or residents' physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner. Conducts or assists with routine patient safety observations and environmental safety rounds Provides one-to-one or ligne-of-sight observation of patients as assigned. Recognizes and promptly reports changes in a patient's behavioral, mental, emotional, or physical condition. Utilizies therapeutic communication techniques to support patient care and promote a safe, therapeutic enviornment. Assists with de-escalation and crisis intervention in accordance with established policies and procedures. Participates in therapeutic activities and supports individualized threatment plans as directed. Applies infection prevention, patient safety, and patients rights principles in the delivery of patient care. Documents patient observations and promptly communicates significiant findings to licensed nursing staff. Collaborates with the interdisciplinary healthcare team to promote quality patient care and positive patient outcomes. Work Schedule: Rotating days of 3:30 pm -12:00 am shift, Including weekend and holiday rotation. Subject to change based on the needs of the facility. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): 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 #: 02078F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
What you need to qualify
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. 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. Grade Determinations: The experience and Knowledge, Skill, Abilities (KSAs) required below must be evident in your resume. 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 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: 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. Preferred Experience: 2-3 years of direct patient care experience in a hospital, inpatient, long-term care, behavioral health, rehabilitation, emergency department, outpatient, or other clinical healthcare setting. Experience as a Nursing Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Medical Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Hospital Corpsman, Combat Medic, or in another related healthcare role is highly desirable. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-05. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.
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