Nursing Assistant Mental Health

About the role

The VA St. Louis Health Care System in St. Louis - Missouri is currently recruiting for a Nursing Assistant for the Mental Health service within the Jefferson Barracks facility. Responsible personal patient care duties - supporting diagnostic procedures - technical nursing treatments - patient charting - and patient instruction which involves direct work relationships with patients and participation as a member of the nursing care team in direct services to patients.

Responsibilities

• Performs/assists patients with activities of daily living/personal care and routine and prescribed patient care - utilizing Medical Center resources - as indicated
• Provides care under the Restorative Care/Therapeutic Activity program
• Reports patient's observations to the Registered Nurse (RN) and other members of the treatment team
• Assists resident's ability to adjust and adapt to living as independently and as safely as possible
• Organizes and obtains routine supplies and equipment
• Communicates with patients and families in a courteous - professional manner and provides patient - family/significant others instruction within the incumbent's level of training and education
• Performs other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required (non‑citizens may be appointed only when no qualified citizens are available)
• English language proficiency (spoken and written) per VA Handbook 5005‑II‑3‑A‑3j
• Education or training: one year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation; or completion of an intensive specialized occupation‑related course of less than one year as a Nursing Assistant (must submit evidence)
• Creditable experience: must involve knowledge, skills, and abilities of current practice; documented and verified; part‑time experience credited proportionally
• Grade‑specific requirements:
  • GS‑3 (entry level): no experience beyond basic requirements; close supervision
  • GS‑4 (mid‑level): one year of specialized NA experience or equivalent medical‑field experience; OR two years above high school in an accredited institution with health‑care related courses (transcripts required); demonstrated KSAs (patient care, observation, equipment use, communication)
  • GS‑5 (full performance): one year of progressively responsible assignments equivalent to GS‑4; OR a bachelor’s degree with 24 semester hours of health‑care courses (transcripts required); demonstrated KSAs (full range of nursing care, oral communication, precepting, emergent situation response)
• Physical requirements: visual acuity, keen hearing, clear speech, manual dexterity; prolonged walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, pushing; patient/object transfer; exposure to infected/contaminated materials and need for protective clothing; occasional exposure to combative patients; must be mature, flexible, sensible, able to work under stress and shift priorities; must complete annual employee health requirements.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off: 37‑50 days annually (13‑26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays); credit for prior work or military service may apply.
• Parental Leave: up to 12 weeks paid after 12 months of employment for birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Child Care Subsidy: after