This position is located at a 148-bed Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program located at the Coatesville VA Medical Center. The incumbent will provide residential care and treatment to Veterans with significant mental health needs including substance use disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental illnesses as well as other domiciliary care for homeless Veterans and general domiciliary 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 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 NA (Entry Level) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. 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. Preferred Experience: Mental health, behavioral health and substance use disorder experience preferred References: Nursing Assistant, GS-621, dated May 22, 2024, Please refer to VA Qualifications Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) The full performance level of this vacancy is 05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to a GS -5 . ["Duties include but are not limited to: Functions 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. Cares for patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions. Provides direct patient care aimed at supporting the cognitive, emotional, medical, physical, and chronological maturation needs of the Veterans residing in the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MHRRTP). Responsibilities include day, evening, night, weekend, and holiday direction of all patient care related activities. He/she is responsible to ensure that safety in the environment of care is maintained at all times and that patients are not engaging in potentially unsafe or non-therapeutic activities. Assists in a technical, specialized, and supportive nature to nursing, psychology, social work, medical providers, and ancillary support staff in the treatment of patient illness, including both medical and psychiatric conditions. The NA provides direct patient care including ,but not limited to, collecting information, delivering patient care, and providing education to the patients. Responsible for delivery of services and treatment related activities as directed by the Nurse Manager or designee, Clinical Staff including Psychologists and Social Workers, Registered Nurse, Nursing Officer of the Day (NOD), or Medical Staff. Responsible for the notification of the treatment team regarding the daily compliance of the patients with unit expectations and treatment related activities. Provides care and facilitates treatment-related activities to patients not specifically assigned to them as needed or requested. The NA is responsible for developing and maintaining a therapeutic and professional relationship with patients in the MHRRTP. Works closely with the treatment team to identify significant changes in patient behaviors and immediately report behavioral changes to the Registered Nurse or designee to determine the necessary action, including referral for treatment by the respective clinical staff. Takes an active role in carrying out psychosocial aspects of the behavioral treatment plans. Responds to behavioral or medical crises of patients and initiates appropriate action. The NA promptly refers acutely ill, injured, or those suffering from behavioral or acute psychiatric problems to the Registered Nurse for appropriate medical and/or psychiatric care. Conducts regular rounds to check on the health, safety and wellbeing of patients, physical plant problems, equipment, and security problems according to MHRRTP procedures and initiates appropriate correction of these problems including requesting work orders or calling for emergency repairs. Work Schedule: 12:00am - 8:00am, including holidays and weekends Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement Number: 000000"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.