Nursing Assistant - Mental Health

Summary

The Nursing Assistant (NA) at James H. Quillen VA Medical Center (JHQVAMC) is assigned to provide care for an adult/geriatric patient population - ranging from the critically/acutely ill patient to the chronically/terminally ill long-term patients - including mental health patients. The incumbent's work area may be either on a ward setting and/or with patients in transit or while in other designated places.

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.

• United States Citizenship:
  Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education or Training
• One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation.
• Completion of an intensive‑specialized‑occupation‑related course of study of less than one year may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS‑3.
• English Language Proficiency: 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: GS‑3 – no specialized experience beyond the basic requirements.
• GS‑4 – one year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant or experience in another medical field requiring knowledge of the human physical and emotional states, therapeutic communication, and technical skills required for basic and intermediate treatments – or successful completion of 2 years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care, health care, or a field of study appropriate to the specialization of the position.
• In addition to the above, applicant must demonstrate the following:
• Knowledge –
  
  Skills and Abilities:
  
  1. Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.
  2. Ability to observe patients/residents’ physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.
  3. 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. 4. Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals.
• GS‑5 – One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS‑4 level, or 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.
• In addition to the above, applicant must demonstrate the following:
• Knowledge –
  
  Skills and Abilities:
  
  1. Ability to assist in the full range of nursing care to patient/resident 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.
  2. Ability to communicate orally with patients/residents, families, interdisciplinary team and other personnel.
  3. Ability to recognize and react to emergent patient/resident care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance.
  4. Ability to recognize need for basic life support, control bleeding and assist with behavior crisis.
• Preferred Experience:
  
  Minimum two years inpatient experience. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Standards/
• 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:
  
  Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over), heavy carrying (45 lbs and over), straight pulling (up…