The position is in the Department of Mental Health Services of the Patient Care Directorate located at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC) in North Chicago, Illinois, West Campus. The FHCC is larger than just a single facility, but rather a system of facilities throughout Northeastern Illinois which provide medical and dental services to U.S. Military, Recruits, Active Duty, Veterans, and eligible beneficiaries.

Duties

Major Duties and Responsibilities Personal Patient Care Duties The responsibility of the Nursing Assistant is for personal patient care. The incumbent will have skills in observing and recognizing changes in patient's mental and physical condition. Duties of the NA include all functions and responsibilities performed at GS-05 (Full Performance Level). Performs patient care duties, ranging from routine to moderately specialized within the Inpatient MH secured, locked units. Major duties included, but are not limited to: Prioritizes and safely delivers care and a broad range of highly complex treatments and procedures for patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Reports and records care and changes noted in patients' condition to the supervising RN/ Charge Nurse or Team Leader, on the progress notes and other forms as instructed and according to standards. Employs proper body mechanics and the safe use of equipment in the care of all patients. Recognizes early signs/symptoms and risk factors for suicide and disruptive behaviors and demonstrates effective strategies to reduce crisis situations. Participates in the admission of patients by taking vital signs, initial search and shower, and orienting patients to the unit. Monitors Veterans as assigned requiring a higher level of observation, completing routine observation rounds, and flow sheet documentation. Attends Prevention and Management of Disturbed Behavior training as required. Participates as a member of the Psychiatric Crisis Intervention Team (PCIT). Engages the patient in the Recovery process. Completes patient belongings and valuables inventory. Performs and completes all verbal and written tasks assigned during the tour of duty. Answer call lights promptly and take appropriate actions. Maintains consistent, courteous relationships with supervisors, co-workers, and patients. Recognizes co-workers as internal customers and respond appropriately. Monitors, records, and reports vital signs and intakes and outputs. Maintains constant (1:1) observation of patients during off unit escorts. Maintains constant observation of patients during off unit escorts per service protocol. Performs unit-based testing including breathalyzer, blood glucose testing per service protocol. Participates in care planning with nurse by suggesting nursing actions based on information obtained from patients or group meetings. Works with patients to use a variety of methods, individually or in groups, to explore behavior and feelings for the purpose of establishing more acceptable approaches to managing stress. Employs therapeutic communication skills in relating to patients, family members, and visitors. Establishes effective therapeutic relationships with patients and family members of all ages. Provides emotional support to seriously ill and terminally ill patient and their family members. Displays willingness and success as an effective member of teams, assists others, participates in team activities, and actively works towards resolution of unit issues. Monitors the mental health environment of care for any safety issues. Follows established SOPs and checklists in the use, set up, pre-cleaning, storage, reprocessing, and maintenance of all RME's, as applicable. Follows infection prevention and control principles. Consistently maintains cleanliness and neatness of assigned work areas and the unit work area. Complies with all ADP security and confidentiality requirements in accordance with Privacy Act of 1974, HIPAA, and VHA handbook regarding Privacy Act. Serves meals in the dining area and complies with protocols to maintain safety. Completes environment of care safety rounds. Conducts room searches for safety Documents vital signs in CPRS. Documents on the restraint and seclusion flow sheet. Documents on observation flow sheet Assist in emergency situations. Work Schedule: M-F, 7:30a to 4:00p Compressed/Flexible: Not authorized Telework: ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination Requirement for Title 38 Health Care Personnel The position to which you are applying for employment is considered a Title 38 Health Care Personnel position within the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA). All new VHA Title 38 Health Care Personnel are required to participate in the Agency's COVID-19 vaccination program. The major requirement of this program consists of employees receiving either a complete COVID-19 vaccine series or receiving a medical or religious vaccination exemption. New employees must provide proper documentation of vaccination, initiate a COVID-19 vaccination series, or complete an exemption request within two (2) weeks of beginning employment with the DVA. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement 03/21/2024. BASIC REQUIREMENTS Citizenship: Must be a Citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Education or Training: Must possess one year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation, OR completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant. (TRANSCRIPTS or CERTIFICATION REQUIRED) In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must meet the following GRADE REQUIREMENTS: GS-3 Level: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Level: Experience: One 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 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 (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED); AND In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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. GS-5 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; 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 In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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. References: VA Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G46.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5. Physical Requirements: To perform in a fully successful manner, the individual must have the physical ability to perform the following job-related duties: moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); moderate carrying (15-44 pounds); requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing; transferring patients and objects may be required; hearing aid permitted. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Work Environment: Incumbent will rotate to both inpatient units. The following environmental factors may be encountered: working closely with others, exposure to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. A health examination must be successfully completed prior to this assignment and periodically thereafter as required by the Occupational Health Clinic policy. There may be intermittent exposure to blood and body fluids. Preferred Experience: Experience working in Mental Health

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 Captain James A Lovell Federal Health Care Center 3001 Green Bay Road North Chicago, IL 60064 US
• Name: Lisa Ahearn
• Phone: (928) 445-4860 X6301
• Email: [email protected]