Nursing Assistant

Duties

Primary Duties – Inpatient Mental Health Nursing Assistant (Not Limited To):

– Provide direct patient care including, but not limited to bathing, toileting, feeding, ambulation, positioning, and personal hygiene
– Obtain and document vital signs, intake/output, height, and weight
– Assist in implementing therapeutic and supportive care plans
– Perform treatment procedures not limited to specimen collection, external urinary device application, oral suctioning, stoma/ostomy care, G-tube care, and skin care
– Support wound and pressure injury care under RN guidance
– Utilize behavioral interventions and de-escalation techniques per PMDB training
– Observe and report physical or emotional changes in patients in a timely manner
– Maintain a clean, safe, therapeutic environment
– Serve as the unit’s safe patient
– Handling liaison and use proper body mechanics and assistive devices for transfers
– Safely operate patient care equipment including, but not limited to bladder scanners, glucose monitors, CPM devices, pulse oximetry, patient lifts, EKG machines, specialty beds, traction devices, oxygen/suction equipment, and wheelchairs
– Escort patients to appointments and activities within the facility- Provide continuous 1:1 observation for high-risk patients; assist with redirection, orientation, and monitoring
– Apply protective restraints only as directed by an RN and complete required documentation
– Participate in effective hand-off communication to clinical staff
– Transport collected specimens to the laboratory
– Assist with patient transfers using safe handling techniques and assistive devices
– Encourage and participate in group or one-on-one therapeutic activities
– Document authorized patient care information in the medical record
– Maintain clean patient rooms, equipment, and common areas
– Assist with patient/family orientation to the unit and provide routine instructions
– Initiate emergency procedures such as CPR and choking response
– Respond to call bells and assist with unit communication
– Participate in PMDB training and maintain required certifications
– Demonstrate strong customer service and support VA values
– Communicate observations to the interdisciplinary team to support care planning
– Assist with diet-related tasks including, but not limited to meal delivery, tray pickup, diet accuracy checks, and identifying nutritional risks
– Deliver nourishments and assist with menu selection processes
– Maintain up-to-date knowledge of unit SOPs and remain competent in all observation levels
– Float to other mental health or nursing areas as needed
– Participate in shift-change reports and warm hand-off communication
– Perform additional nursing support duties as assigned and not limited to the tasks above.

Preferred Experience:
– Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
– Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
– Preferred experience includes providing direct patient care in mental health settings, assisting with daily living activities, observing and reporting behavioral changes, supporting therapeutic interventions, and working with patients who have acute or chronic psychiatric conditions.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
Subject to background/security investigation.
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver’s licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
Complete all application requirements detailed in the “Required Documents” section of this announcement.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
your performance and conduct;
the needs and interests of the agency;
whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Qualifications
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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: NAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.
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 that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it,