Nursing Assistant (Mental Health)

Veterans Health Administration

Bedford (MA)

On-site

USD 44,000 - 72,000

Full time

7 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off (37-50 days/yr)

Traditional federal pension

Federal health/vision/dental/term life

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Bedford VA Healthcare Medical Center, is seeking Nursing Assistants for the Mental Health Nursing Service in Bedford, Massachusetts.

This full-time position works 40 hours per week with shifts that may include days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays to cover needs. Responsibilities include glucose monitoring, direct patient care, documentation, and participation in treatment planning.

Qualifications

Education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment.
If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must submit a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript.

Responsibilities

Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to obtain glucose readings and reports deviations.
Provides direct care for veterans based on the treatment plan and notes changes in condition.
Performs nursing procedures within scope of practice and facility procedures (e.g., enemas, catheterization, wound care).
Maintains safety and infection control practices; documents care provided and observations.
Supports treatment planning meetings and assists the care team in coordinating patient care.

Education

Education/degree recognized by U.S. Department of Education for Federal employment

Job description

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

This Nursing Assistant position is located in the Nursing Service (Mental Health) at the Bedford VA Healthcare Medical Center, in Bedford, Massachusetts. This is a full time position at 40-hours per week.

Key Responsibilities

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional This Nursing Assistant position is located in the Nursing Service (Mental Health) at the Bedford VA Healthcare Medical Center, in Bedford, Massachusetts. This announcement is intended to fill multiple vacancies throughout the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Bedford, MA. Available shifts could be days, evenings, nights, or include weekends/holidays to cover shortages or high patient volume.

Shift changes will be considered based on patient and facility needs. Major Duties include, but are not limited to: Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for veterans refers deviation to appropriate health care staff. Provides direct care for complex veterans. Makes observations of subtle changes in resident's condition, i.e. behavior shifts, mood, skin coloring, appetite, etc. and takes action accordingly within the NA's assigned role.

Documents care given, observations and responses on appropriate tools or forms. Responds appropriately to subtle patient changes by contacting the appropriate nursing personal. Administers complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning. Monitor and documents patient intake and output reports deviations timely and accurately.

Performs nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures to care for the veteran for such procedures but not limited to: enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care simple dressing, application of braces and prosthetic devices. Works on small group activities with veterans/residents according to the patients/resident treatment plan.

Recognizes the residents' autonomy and promotes independence by means of respect, limit setting and individualized treatment. Actively participates in Treatment Planning Meetings. Utilizes equipment to promote the veteran self-care, such as; lift equipment, Hydro sound Tubs, and Veteran/Resident Wandering System.

Verbally provides patient information to the treatment team for inclusion in the veteran/residents' plan of care, participates in treatment team meetings for resident care planning. Enters information about the residents' condition in the chart, utilizing appropriate formats. Participates in maintaining a clean, safe environment for the patient/resident.

Removes defective equipment, reports hazards, observes safety regulations, contributes to infection control, and utilizes proper aseptic technique in performance of duties. Serves as the unit safe patient handling liaison. Serves as preceptor and mentor to other NA's. Orients members of the health care team to the units as appropriate. Functions as a member of the unit base counsel.

Manages distributed patient behavior and by appropriately intervenes and request assistant from other health care members. Appropriately initiates basic life support, takes actions appropriate action. Work Schedule: Multiple tours available; to be discussed at interview and determined on selection.

Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Available Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Available Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F01837, F01838, F01839 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Available Notifications: This position is covered by a special rate.

Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment. This is an open continuous announcement until January 22, 2027. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available Due to a critical staffing shortage, 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement.

Requirements & 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/.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $43925 – $71717/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2027-01-22.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Competitive' hiring path.