Nursing Assistant - Inpatient Mental Health

About the role

The New Mexico VA Health Care System is looking for a Nursing Assistant for our Inpatient Mental Health Service!

Responsibilities

• Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for veterans and refers deviations to appropriate health care staff
• Provides direct care for complex veterans
• Makes observations of subtle changes in resident's condition (e.g., behavior shifts, mood, skin coloring, appetite) and takes appropriate action within the NA's assigned role
• Documents care given, observations, and responses on appropriate tools or forms
• Responds appropriately to subtle patient changes by contacting the appropriate nursing personnel
• Administers complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning
• Monitors and documents patient intake and output, reporting deviations timely and accurately
• Performs nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures (e.g., enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care, simple dressing, application of braces and prosthetic devices, monitoring of)
• Works on small group activities with veterans/residents according to the patient/resident treatment plan
• Recognizes residents' autonomy and promotes independence through respect, limit setting, and individualized treatment
• Actively participates in Treatment Planning Meetings
• Utilizes equipment to promote veteran self‑care (e.g., lift equipment, Hydro sound Tubs, Veteran/Resident Wandering System)

Qualifications

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
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Policy
• Experience or Education or Training:
  • Six months of general experience that demonstrates the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a Nursing Assistant
  • 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 less than one year as a NA may also meet the experience requirements for GS‑3
• Grandfathering Provisions: All NAs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the series and grade held. Employees appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed until they fully meet the basic requirements. If a retained (grandfathered) employee leaves the occupation, they lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard basic requirements in effect at re‑entry.

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 (e.g., licensed practical nurse, health technician, hospital corpsman) performing technical and nursing skills requiring knowledge of human physical and emotional states, therapeutic communication, and technical skills 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 a field appropriate to the specialization (e.g., psychology, psychiatric, or operating room technician programs)
  • AND 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' 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 (e.g., bladder scan, continuous passive motion device, blood glucose monitoring machine, specimen collection)
    • 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 demonstrating knowledge, skills, and abilities directly related to the specific assignment
  • 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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 (including serving as a preceptor to new NAs by assisting with coordination of orientation and overseeing/assessing practical experience)
    • Ability to recognize and react to emergent patient/resident care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance (e.g., recognizing need for basic life support, controlling bleeding, assisting with behavior crisis)
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS‑05; the actual grade at which an applicant may be selected is in the range GS‑03 to GS‑05.
• 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).

Physical Requirements

This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. It requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. The NA must complete annual Employee Health requirements