The Psychiatric Nurse Aide is directly responsible to the Charge Nurse, Nurse Manager (rating official), Program Manager (approving official) and the Associate Director of Patient Care Services.

Duties

Assigned Duties: Gives direct nursing care as assigned by the registered nurse to psychiatric patients who may also require medical nursing care. Performs all procedures related to patient care as taught, demonstrating an understanding of the application of the procedure to the patient. - Encourages patients to maintain self-care. - Participates in the admission of patients by collecting information, orienting to the ward, checking for contraband and assisting the nurse in formulating nurse's actions. - Recognizes when a depressed patient is potentially suicidal by common symptoms, and verbal and action clues. Reports these observations to the registered nurse. - Supervises those patients as assigned who have impairment of memory, concentration and attention since the patient may not remember instructions or his/her whereabouts or may be responding to hallucinations or delusions. - Provides emergency care in crisis situations that are physical, psychiatric or a combination of both. - Participates in the planning of nursing care by contributing observations of the patients' condition and behaviors to the registered nurse assigned to the patient. - Identifies changes in patient's behavior and condition which may then require immediate intervention by the registered nurse. - Encourages patients who are handicapped by emotional and/or physical disabilities to increase their independence in activities of daily living. - Fosters increased self-reliance and assumption of personal responsibility by patients for their personal hygiene and living/activity areas - Participates in maintaining ward activities to affect a social environment which is oriented toward activities of daily living. - Recognizes that the environment must be safe at all times by demonstrating knowledge of safety precautions that decrease hazards. Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of fire, smoking and safety regulations by setting an example and teaching patients the importance of adhering to such measures. Strives to maintain a ward environment which is oriented toward future independent life Work Schedule: 24 HOUR UNIT ROTATING SHIFT Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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. 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. 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 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). Grade Determinations: GS-5 Nursing Assistant (Full Performance Level)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 below; 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 KSAs:1. 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. Preferred Experience: Direct care nursing experience and inpatient mental health experience with adult population strongly preferred References: VA Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G46, Nursing Assistant Qualifications Standard, GS-621The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts will be provided as needed. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations. 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. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. The incumbent may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Spark M Matsunaga Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 459 Patterson Road Honolulu, HI 96819 US
• Name: Monica Thomson
• Phone: (801) 209-1026
• Email: [email protected]