Psychiatric Nursing Assistant

Summary

This Nursing Assistant position is within the Nursing - Operations service at VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System in Leeds, MA.

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• May qualify based on the Grandfathering Provision described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

• Creditable Experience.
• Knowledge of Current Practice; the experience must involve the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with current practice.
• Quality of
  
  Experience:
  
  NA experience must be documented on the application or resume and verified in an employment reference or other independent means.
• Part‑Time
  
  Experience:
  
  Part‑time experience as a NA is creditable to the extent that it relates to the full‑time workweek. For example, a NA employed 20 hours a week (half‑time) would receive one full‑time workweek of credit for each two weeks of service.

• GS‑3 NA (Entry Level) – no additional requirements beyond the basic requirements.
• GS‑4 NA (Intermediate or Developmental Level) – 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 that require knowledge of human physical and emotional states, therapeutic communication, and technical skills; OR education comprising two years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care, health care, or a related field;
  
  AND demonstration of the required KSAs.
• GS‑5 NA (Full Performance Level) – one year of progressively responsible assignments equivalent to GS‑4; OR a 4‑year bachelor’s degree with 24 semester hours of health‑care related courses; AND demonstration of required KSAs.

• Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care, contribute to completion of nursing care plans, and aid patient recovery.
• Ability to observe patients’ physical or emotional status and promptly refer deviations or problems to a supervisor.
• Ability to use equipment, materials, and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures (e.g., bladder scan, passive motion device, blood glucose monitor, specimen collection).
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, and other health professionals.
• Ability to assist in full range of nursing care under the direction of a registered nurse or licensed vocational nurse/practical nurse, including preceptorship duties.
• Ability to recognize and respond to emergent patient/resident care situations (e.g., basic life support, bleeding control, behavior crisis).

• Mental Health Psychiatric Nursing Assistant experience preferred.

Work involves varying periods of sitting, standing, and walking. Employees must be able to bend, stoop, lift, balance, kneel, push, and move wheelchairs, geri‑chairs, litters, and similar equipment. Tasks may include CPR and psychiatric intervention at the unit level. Shifts may be any time of day.

• The NA performs basic nursing duties under close supervision in inpatient, outpatient, community living center, acute mental health/detox, and resident rehabilitation treatment program settings.
• The NA cares for patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions and develops therapeutic relationships with respect for human…