Nursing Assistant- Mental Health 1 West

Job Details

Qualifications & Requirements

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: Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) 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. Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA; OR One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR 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 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(a) 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, (b) 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 (c) 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). (a) 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, (b) 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 (c) 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 GS-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others; be able to navigate the facility, write and use a key board and telephone. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. Employee will be required to assist with transferring/lifting/moving patients, pushing/pulling wheelchairs, gurneys/beds or equipment which may require, stooping, bending, kneeling, twisting, sitting lifting or carrying live weight up to 35 lbs. and walking without restrictions. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations. 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 based on patient needs. The incumbent must be able to navigate all areas of the facility, use a keyboard, perform CPR (Bart trained) when necessary, and perform other activities of the position without any restrictions. Reasonable accommodations may be considered in determining an applicant's ability to perform the duties of the position. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Position Overview

Provides complex nursing care independently as a member of the nursing care team by assisting other NAs, licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team. Is accountable for adhering to established policies, procedures, standards of care and standards of practice and for maintaining competencies consistence with role and responsibilities. Performs complex age specific nursing care for adult and geriatric patients with a variety of physical, mental, behavioral or psychological needs.

Duties

• Duties are and not limited to: The NA continues to provide care under supervision of a RN, are learning to perform complex nursing skills, and will refer issues/ questions to a Clinical Nurse Manager (CNM) / supervisors, service RNs, LPNs, higher graded NAs, or other healthcare professionals. The NA may perform these duties in the inpatient (1 West/MHRRTP) setting. The NA will care for Veterans with acute to chronic behavioral health conditions. All duties performed will be completed under RN supervision with appropriate training and competencies for assigned task: - Will appropriately utilize vital signs monitoring machine to collect and document appropriate vital signs reading for the assigned Veteran. - Will appropriately utilize glucose monitoring machine to collect and document appropriate glucose readings for assigned Veteran. - Will appropriately utilize the 12 LEAD EKG machine to collect and document appropriate 12 LEADs for the assigned Veteran. - Will appropriately utilize the Bladder Scanner machine to collect and document and verbalize importance of reporting any abnormal results to RN as soon as possible. - Maintains positive therapeutic relationships by displaying respect for human dignity with patients, families and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills. - Maintains PMDB level 3 of containment techniques currently for the inpatient mental health unit. - Will appropriately utilize physical restraints. Correctly documents any activities completed with the veteran in physical restraint or seclusion. - Utilizes observation skills for data collection, reporting and recording Veteran observations to appropriate Staff RNs, Licensed Independent Practitioners (LIPs), or other clinicians. - Performs aspects of nursing care to meet Veteran's needs for the following: a. Monitoring and documents Veterans for safety (one to one Patient Safety Attendant) as assigned. b. Transportation of Veterans to other needed care in other departments. c. Completion Safety assessment rounds every shift. d. Completion environment of care safety rounds as assigned. e. Performs intentional rounding as assigned. f. Performs NA community groups g. Documents on timely task related to nutrition and hydration. h. Monitors and documents Veterans for safety while on medical beds (one to one Patient Safety Attendant) as assigned. i. Reports on any environmental safety concerns to RN and Management team - Reports Veteran observations to the RN and or other members of the treatment team. - Is trained to set up Veteran care related equipment. - Organizes and obtains routine supplies and equipment. - Assist with orienting patient/family to department routines and policies. - Work as a cooperative team player and courteous member of the interdisciplinary team. - Safeguarding the patient's right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of a confidential nature. - Uses proper behavioral health safety practices. - Performs other duties as assigned given proper training. - Floats to Acute Care and MHRRTP unit to assist as needed. - Utilizes equipment and supplies according to procedures. - Ensures that adequate supplies are stocked in the unit and reports any needed items to RN or management. - Utilizes principles of proper body mechanics and follows procedures for use of patient care equipment to prevent injury to self or others in all settings such as utilization of lifting equipment. Preferred Experience: Work Schedule: Full-Time, Day shift. Tour subject to change depending on the needs of facility. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized