Summary

The Nursing Assistant will provide care to The Psychiatric Acute Care Center is a 28 bed inpatient adult male/female psychiatric unit that provides patient care to patients with a variety of psychiatric diagnoses. The diagnosis reasons may include psychoses - substance abuse - dependence disorders - (PTSD) - organic disorders and neuroses. The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information - refer to Required Documents below.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• a
• Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g - this part.) b
• 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 as a nursing assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3 c
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• d
• English Language Proficiency
• Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j
• GRADE REQUIREMENTS a
• Creditable Experience(1) Knowledge of Current Practice
• To be creditable - the experience must have required the use of knowledge - skills - and abilities associated with the current practice
• (2) Quality of Experience
• To be creditable - Nursing Assistant experience must be documented on the application or resume and verified in an employment reference - or through other independent means
• (3) Part-Time Experience
• Part-time experience as a Nursing Assistant is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek
• For example - a [NA] employed 20 hours a week - or on a 1/2-time basis - would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service
• b
• Grade Determinations
• In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• (1) GS-3 Nursing Assistants (Entry Level) (a) Experience and Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• (b) Assignments
• Individuals assigned as GS-3 are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised
• (2) GS-4 Nursing Assistant(a) Experience
• One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant or experience in another medical field (licensed practical nurse - health technician - hospital corpsman - etc.) - performing technical and nursing skills requiring knowledge of the human physical and emotional states - therapeutic communication - and technical skills required for basic and intermediate treatments
• OR - (b) Education
• Successful completion of 2 years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care - health care or in a field of study appropriate to the specialization of the position - such as education in a program for psychology - psychiatric - or operating room technicians
• AND (c) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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' or resident's 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
• (d) Assignment 1
• Individuals assigned as GS-4 Nursing Assistants are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised
• [NAs] at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist higher graded Nursing Assistants - licensed nursing staff - and other members of the care team in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care - home or community living care or other patients/residents who are in acute - sub-acute - or chronic states of illness
• The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision and refer issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded Nursing Assistants or other healthcare professionals
• 2
• In this role - the Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists higher graded Nursing Assistants licensed nursing staff - and other members of the care team in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care - home or community living care - or other patients who are in acute - sub-acute - or chronic states of illness
• The Nursing Assistant in this role provides care under close supervision and refers issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded Nursing Assistants - or other healthcare professionals
• (3) GS-5 Nursing Assistant Full Performance Level(a) Experience
• One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level which demonstrates knowledge - skills - and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs in subparagraph (c) below
• OR - (b) 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 (c) Demonstrated KSAs1
• 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.2
• Ability to communicate orally with patients/residents - families - interdisciplinary team and other personnel
• This includes serving as a preceptor to new [NAs] by assisting with the coordination of their orientation and overseeing/assessing their practical experience while in a clinical setting.3
• Ability to recognize and react to emergent patient/resident care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance
• For example - recognizing need for basic life support - controlling bleeding and assisting with behavior crisis - etc
• (d) Assignment
• This is the full performance level for Nursing Assistant
• Nursing Assistants at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care - home or community living care or other patients/residents who are in acute - sub acute or chronic states of illness
• The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements
• [NAs] at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role
• Preferred Qualifications Prior VA Experience Inpatient Mental Health and Medical/Surgical Experience 1-2yearsPreferred Level of Education GS Level 5 Preferred Certification(s)- CNA 1 or II

Duties

• The Psychiatric Acute Care Center (PARC) is a 27 bed inpatient adult male/female psychiatric unit that provides patient care to patients with a variety of psychiatric diagnoses
• The major diagnosis reasons for admission include the following: psychoses - substance abuse and dependence disorders - post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) - organic disorders and neuroses
• Patients are provided therapeutic modalities - to include electro-convulsive (ECT) therapy and rehabilitative services that include group therapy or education - one-to-one education and/or counseling and medication management
• The interdisciplinary team meets each week to discuss care planning and discharge needs of patients
• Allied health team providers provide psychological testing and counseling - social services - vocational counseling - and recreational therapy
• The nursing needs of patients are evaluated using the nursing process and care is individualized through interdisciplinary approaches of care
• Care is focused on providing a protective environment for those requiring protection from self-injury and/or injury to others resulting from identified diagnoses and psychiatric illnesses
• Registered nurses - licensed practical nurses - and nursing assistants provide nursing care
• Major responsibilities and duties may include but are not limited to the following: Providing patient care such as feeding - bathing - dressing - positioning - and transferring
• Obtaining vital signs and capillary blood glucose results
• Applying creams - lotions - and administering other approved medications under the supervision of the nurse
• Maintaining a safe and therapeutic milieu through engaging patients in meaningful activities - monitoring and intervening in behaviors - de-escalating patient behaviors - and intervening with patients experiencing extremes of behavior - including the severely depressed - suicidal or homicidal patients and the drug or alcohol abuse patients
• Work Schedule: Part Time nights with rotating weekends: 8h - 12 h shifts Financial Disclosure Report: Not required