The Nursing Assistant (NA) provides personal care to psychiatric patients by utilizing the team treatment plan and specialized skill and knowledge in establishing interpersonal relationships and reporting patient's behavior. Works with patients whose nursing needs change within a predictable range.

Duties

Promotes the development of self-care activities in the psychiatric patient Develops trust with patients Being available to patients to listen Relating to patients as individuals Assists and/or escorts selected patients by van, car and ambulance to and from hospital, nursing home, etc. Identifies the needs of patients and performs a range of personal nursing care duties which include feeding, bathing, oral hygiene, nail care, hair care, and related personal hygiene duties Utilizes proper body mechanics to move, lift and transfer patients Makes beds Assist with use of Activities of Daily Living (ADL) devises Observes and reports observations of signs and symptoms indicative of change in patient's emotional/mental condition such as pacing, withdrawal, increasing loudness, increased smoking habit, short, curt responses, inability to stay with the group Observes and reports observations of signs and symptoms indicative of change in patients' physical condition, such as fever, rash, chills, vomiting, loss of blood, diarrhea, difficulty in breathing, etc. Performs a variety of supporting diagnostic duties which include taking, recording, and reporting to the team leader deviation in vital signs, collecting, labeling and taking specimens to the laboratory. Performs fingerstick glucose testing Orients newly arrived patient and family to the unit or emergency department, minimizing confusion and uncertainty. Maintains nursing observation as assigned. Checks unit area for readiness for daily community meeting. If indicated, assist and instructs patients in arranging chairs for daily community meetings. Assist with appropriate group activities for various types of patients, including recreational activities. Assists patients in performing (and/or personally performs) housekeeping functions necessary to maintain patient-occupied areas in a clean, sanitary, safe and attractive condition. During use of restraints, provides range of motion (ROM) exercises, positions patient and adjusts linens, pillows, pads and protective devices to make the patient as comfortable as possible while maintaining safety and proper body alignment, using knowledge of standard procedures and available protective devices. Utilizes safe patient handling techniques following MCM 00-146 Facility Safe Patient Handling Policy and movement for patient moves, lifts, repositioning and transfers. Cares for isolation patients Provides indwelling bladder catheter care according to the procedure Initiates CPR and/or Heimlich maneuver when such life saving techniques are indicated Monitors and records nursing observation level, vital signs and intake and output. Records patients' interest and participation in ward activities. Records in medical record, observations of treatments given to patient. Reinforces Medical Center non-smoking policy with patients. Reinforces patient teaching initiated by the interdisciplinary team. Example: Diversional activities, release of energy, participating in patient/staff group meetings, etc. Reinforces hand hygiene, COVID-19 precautions, and safety with patients Functions as a group leader for re-motivation, remembrance, and sensory stimulation other nurse led activity/therapeutic programs. Provides constant observation to assigned patient on 1:1 level observation for suicidal risks or medical equipment in use for psychiatric patients (such as catheters, medical beds, oxygen). When escorting patients off the unit, provides constant attendance. Promotes a safe environment by carrying out security measures Checking and identifying patients Inspecting doors and security screens Accounting for potentially dangerous equipment Being alert to the possibility of elopement, homicide, and suicide risks Reports unsafe conditions Providing supervision of patients with suicidal risk when they are using personal care items Work Schedule: Varies, 6-12 hour shifts and 1-8 hour shift per pay period with rotating weekends and holidays Compressed/Flexible:Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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. 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. [Experience or] Education or Training: 1. Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of an NA; OR, 2. One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation; OR, 3. 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. 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) (a) Experience [and] Education: None beyond the basic requirements. (b) Assignments: Individuals assigned as GS-3 [NAs] are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised. GS-4 [NA] (a) 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, (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 [NAs] 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 [NAs], 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 [NAs] or other healthcare professionals. GS-5 [NA] (Full Performance Level) (a) Experience: One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to theGS-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 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. (d) Assignment: This is the full performance level for [NAs]. [NAs] 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/81 Part II Appendix G46.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. The 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. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to wear protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. 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. The NA must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as employment conditions. These physical requirements will be consistent with VA Directive 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 Martinsburg VA Medical Center 510 Butler Avenue Martinsburg, WV 25405 US
• Name: Justin Rehanek
• Phone: (681) 261-9889
• Email: [email protected]