Summary

The incumbent will be an employee of the RVAHCS Mental Health Services. The organization chart identifies the reporting structure - ultimately reporting to the Associate Chief Nurse (ACN) through a Nurse Manager - Assistant Nurse Manager - or Program Director. As required - the position is responsible for the nursing assistants (NA) duties to support quality patient care. Employee performs assigned duties promoting quality health care and outstanding customer service.

Qualifications

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 - 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 above high school with courses related to the NA occupation
• Completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS3
• English Language Proficiency: Nursing Assistants 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-03 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level) Specialized Experience and Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-04 Nursing AssistantSpecialized Experience
• One year of specialized experience as a CNA 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (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 (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 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: 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Duties

• FUNCTIONS OF ASSIGNED DUTIES AND NOT LIMITED TO: The incumbent assists providers and nurses in the care and treatment of acutely and chronically ill Veterans receiving acute mental health care
• Observe and report changes in Veteran behavior - attitude - bodily complaints - and appearance to the supervisor or charge nurse
• They may provide nursing care to Veterans experiencing extremes of behavior - including the severely depressed - suicidal - or homicidal Veteran and the drug or alcohol abuse Veteran
• Recognizes emergency situations and intervenes while awaiting assistance - including implementation of basic life support
• They provide nursing treatment for acutely ill Veterans whose needs require advanced skills such as taking EKGs and performing basic life support
• The care provided routinely involves medical equipment such as vital sign monitors and EKG machines
• Performs obtaining glucometer readings - obtaining cultures - empties and records output from indwelling urinary catheters - and empties colostomy bags
• urinary catheters - and empties colostomy bags
• 5.3
• Support services for providers performing diagnostic examinations consist of taking and recording measurements and vital signs - emptying drainage bags - documenting output - and passing instruments used for biopsies or other tests
• Records appropriate information about the Veteran's progress and supplies accurate information to the Veteran - family - and other staff members
• Assists with the safe patient handling (SPH) function in any clinical area and may include serving on the SPH committee - serving as a peer leader - and participating in data collection and reporting related to injuries and incidences involving SPH
• The incumbent promotes team cohesion - participates in unit activities to enhance a positive work environment - and contributes to performance improvement activities
• This includes responding to view alerts - secure messaging - participating in unit-based councils - and unit/clinic protocols and/or procedures
• They demonstrate an increased personal commitment to the job - including mentoring less experienced nursing assistant personnel
• They may assist with orienting newly hired nursing assistant employees - including those at the same - lower - or higher grade
• They ensure documentation in the medical record reflects accurate communication with Veterans - families - and other members of the healthcare team - including actions taken - communication that has occurred - and follow up as needed
• The incumbent maintains a safe - clean - therapeutic environment and follows infection control guidelines
• They prevent injury to themselves and others by complying with established safety procedures using proper body mechanics and transfer techniques - including the use of safe patient handling and mobility equipment
• The incumbent complies with the guidelines outlined in facility policy concerning Coronavirus precautions
• Adhering to the COVID 19 facility policy and utilizing appropriate PPE
• They participate in accomplishing clinical area maintenance tasks that include checking equipment to ensure that it is functioning safely - cleanliness is maintained - and clutter is removed from patient care areas
• hey demonstrate safe work habits and identify and immediately addresses any unsafe conditions - reporting them to the responsible supervisory official
• Work Schedule: Rotating Nights and every other weekend
• Hours vary
• 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 #: 00000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized