Nursing Assistant- Acute Inpatient Psychiatric Unit

About the role

This Psychiatric Nursing Assistant position is located within a secure, inpatient mental health unit at the Omaha VA Medical Center, Omaha, NE. The Nursing Assistant works as part of a team providing Veteran specific care for individuals who may be impacted by psychiatric, medical, and geriatric conditions. The Nursing Assistant performs a range of duties under the direction of the RN including personal care, diagnostic support procedures, treatments, charting and resident teaching.

Responsibilities

• Taking, recording, and reporting vital signs accurately, assisting ambulation, transporting patients within the medical center and other duties or care as directed by Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses or providers.
• Observing patients who may be confused or have other cognitive issues and reports to nurse when condition changes.
• Initiating emergency action in life threatening situations such as cardiac and/or respiratory arrest, massive bleeding, shock, or assaultive behavior by alerting licensed personnel immediately.
• Documenting vital signs and activities of daily living in the electronic record or paper record during contingency.
• Performing continuous rounding while on mental health unit.
• Assisting ward staff with direct patient care activities as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Within this secure and inpatient unit, the Nursing Assistant provides care to Veterans with a variety of mental health needs under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, or Medical Provider. The Nursing Assistant will provide specialized personal nursing care to Veterans and perform treatments and procedures requiring skills and extensive knowledge specific to Veterans conditions, medical treatments, and an understanding of the effects of the treatments. The Nursing Assistant will interact with and provide Veteran specific care for Veterans of varying ages and cultures.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must meet the following requirements:

• Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship. No experience beyond the basic requirements is necessary.
• Experience, Education or Training: Six (6) months of general experience, one (1) year of experience as a Nursing Assistant or in another medical field, or completion of an intensive, specialized occupation-related training course of study or program of less than one year as a Nursing Assistant.
• 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 residents' 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.