Nursing Assistant - Mental Health

MePA; Iowa City (IA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

The Iowa City VA Health Care System is seeking a Nursing Assistant for the Mental Health Unit to provide direct patient care and support a safe, recovery-oriented environment for veterans in acute psychiatric stabilization.

The role supports activities of daily living and uses trauma-informed care principles to promote dignity, privacy, and independence, under close supervision and in collaboration with the nursing team.

Qualifications

• Citizenship and English language proficiency required.
• Ability to meet basic education/experience requirements for Nursing Assistant roles.
• Knowledge of basic nursing care tasks and patient observation.
• GS grade criteria (GS-3 to GS-5) and progression expectations.

Responsibilities

• Support safe ambulation, transfers, and mobility device use with proper handling.
• Maintain ward cleanliness and assist with linens and restraints as ordered.
• Participate in safety checks, rounds, and environmental safety activities.
• Observe and report changes in patients' physical or emotional status to the RN.
• Use therapeutic communication and de-escalation techniques to support veterans in distress.
• Document care, observations, and safety checks per policy.
• Assist with admission, transfer, discharge and orientation processes for veterans.

Skills

English language proficiency

Therapeutic communication

Patient care

Education

High school diploma or equivalent with related nursing courses

Nursing Assistant training program

Job description

Summary

The Iowa City VA Health Care System is hiring a Nursing Assistant for the Mental Health Unit. This role provides direct patient care - supports a safe therapeutic environment - and assists with recovery-oriented - trauma-informed care for veterans in acute psychiatric stabilization. The Nursing Assistant assists with activities of daily living - promoting dignity - privacy - and independence.

Qualifications

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
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• Experience - Education or Training
• You must meet one of the following to meet the basic requirements for a Nursing Assistant (NA): Six (6) months of general experience
• Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA
• OR - One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation
• OR - Completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related training course of study or program of less than one year as a NA may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above - the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade
• The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade
• GS-03 - None beyond the basic requirements
• NAs at this grade are considered entry-level and are closely supervised
• GS-04 - To qualify at the GS-4 level you must meet the following: EXPERIENCE: One (1) year of experience as a Nursing Assistant or 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 - in addition you must demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (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 residents' 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-05 - To qualify at the GS-5 level you must meet the following: EXPERIENCE: One (1) year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level which demonstrates knowledge - skills - and abilities (KSAs) that are directly related to the specific assignment
• Specialized experience includes but is not limited to functioning as a member of the nursing care team and assisting licensed nursing staff and other members of the care team in the full range of nursing care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care - home - or community living care or other patients/residents who are receiving preventative - acute - sub-acute - chronic - maintenance - and hospice care
• OR - EDUCATION: Successful completion of 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 you must demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• 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. Preferred Experience: Prior inpatient mental health experience

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties of the Nursing Assistant - Mental Health include - but are not limited to: Support safe ambulation - transfers - and use of mobility devices using safe patient handling practices
• Maintain ward cleanliness - handle linens - and apply physical restraints or protective devices as ordered
• Participate in safety checks - observation rounds - and environmental safety activities
• Recognize and report changes in behavior - mood - cognition - or physical status to the RN
• Use therapeutic communication and de-escalation techniques to support veterans in distress
• Document care - observations - and safety checks according to policy and unit expectations
• Assist with admission - transfer - discharge - and orientation processes for veterans
• Work Schedule: Intermittent
• Intermittent employment is defined as non-fulltime employment in which employees serve under an excepted or competitive service appointment without a regularly scheduled tour of duty
• A position with an intermittent work schedule is sporadic and unpredictable so that a tour of duty cannot be regularly scheduled in advance
• Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination
• The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers
• This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest
• As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran
• This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community
• This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.