This Nursing Assistant (NA) serves on a 148-bed Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MHRRTP) located at the Coatesville VA Medical Center in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. The MHRRTP provides residential care and treatment to Veterans with significant mental health needs including substance use disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental illnesses as well as domiciliary care.

Duties

The responsibilities of the Nursing Assistant includes but is not limited to the following description: Providing direct patient care aimed at supporting the cognitive, emotional, medical, physical, and chronological maturation needs of the Veterans residing in the MHRRTP. He/she is responsible to ensure that safety in the environment of care is always maintained and that patients are not engaging in potentially unsafe or non-therapeutic activities. Assists in a technical, specialized, and supportive nature to nursing, psychology, social work, medical providers, and ancillary support staff in the treatment of patient illness, including both to, collecting information, delivering patient care, and providing education to the patients. Functions as a member of the multi-disciplinary treatment team. Is responsible for delivery of services and treatment related activities as directed by the Nurse Manager, RN, NOD, Medical Staff, or Clinical Staff including Psychologists and Social Workers. Works closely with the treatment team to identify significant changes in patient behavior. Immediately report behavioral changes to the RN or designee to determine the necessary action, including referral for treatment by the respective clinical staff. The NA must understand/verbalize an understanding of the unique qualities of individual patients to maintain consistency in the MHRRTP environment and will demonstrate the ability to be flexible and responsive to individual patient needs and behavior. Provided supportive counseling and collaborates/coordinates with the RN as needed for higher level intervention. Ensures veterans are aware of and attend all appointments, as well as adhere to the rules and regulations of the unit, and follow interventions outlined in treatment plans. Provides care and facilitates treatment-related activities to patients not specifically assigned to them as needed of requested. Responsible for maintaining professional boundaries with all patients. Directing patients to maintain appropriate personal hygiene. Directing patients toward more appropriate behavior in their personal interactions. Assisting patients with problem-solving activities. Responds to behavioral or medical crises of patients and initiates appropriate action. Conducts regular rounds to check on the health, safety and wellbeing of patients, physical plant problems, and equipment, and security problems according to MHRRTP procedures. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Evening Shift, 3:30pm - 12:00am Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized 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 (1) year above high school with courses related to the NA occupation. Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one (1) year as a nursing assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. 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. 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-3 NA (Entry Level): Experience/Education: None beyond the basic requirements. Assignments: Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised. GS-4 NA: Experience: One (1) year of specialized experience as a NA 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, Education:Successful completion of two (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 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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' or resident's 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 such as bladder scan, continuous passive motion device, blood glucose monitoring machine, specimen collection, etc. Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals. GS-5 NA (Full Performance Level): Experience: One (1) 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.; 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): In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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. 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. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G46, Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is 05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 03 to 05. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Preferred Experience: Mental Health Experience is Preferred. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G46, Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is 05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 03 to 05. The full performance level of this vacancy is 05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 03 to 05. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Coatesville VA Medical Center 1400 Black Horse Hill Road Coatesville, PA 19320 US
• Name: Kori Mansel
• Phone: 503-344-7725
• Email: [email protected]