Nursing Assistant- Mental Health

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

The Nursing Assistant (NA) Mental Health position at Veterans Health Administration provides a vital role within the nursing care team, supporting licensed staff in delivering comprehensive care from preventive to hospice settings. NAs often handle complex patient needs, perform daily living activities, and help implement treatment plans under supervision.

Candidates should demonstrate strong communication, observation, and teamwork, with emphasis on patient safety and clinical documentation.

Qualifications

• Standing, walking, and lifting up to 35 pounds may be required.
• Ability to communicate with patients, families, and health professionals.
• Precept and mentor new NAs and assist with orientation.

Responsibilities

• Assist licensed nursing staff in care of patients across care settings (preventive to hospice).
• Perform daily living activities and contribute to patient treatment plans.
• Document care and observations in charting tools and report deviations promptly.
• Assist with monitoring vitals, glucose readings, and basic clinical procedures.
• Provide safe, compassionate care and support in a busy clinical environment.

Skills

Communication

Observation

Patient care

Teamwork

BLS certification

Education

High school diploma or equivalent with nursing-related coursework

Post-secondary nursing-related education (2+ years)

Job description

Summary

The Nursing Assistant (NA) Mental Health functions as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventive - acute - sub-acute chronic - maintenance - and hospice care. 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. The NA at this level also assumes peer education/mentorship.

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: Citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g - this part.) 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
• Six 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. 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: i Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents
• ii Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner
• iii 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
• iv Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents - their families and other health professionals
• GS-5 NA (Full Performance Level)
• (a) 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
• 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
• i 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
• ii 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
• iii 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-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 includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nursing assistants such as direct patient care - and potentially long periods of walking - standing - sitting - moderate lifting - repeated bending - or kneeling
• See VA Handbook 5019 and local NA physical standards
• Examples may include but are not limited to: - Significant amounts of time standing assisting assigned patients - Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols Position specific duties/expectations are detailed in the associated competency and should be performed once the competency has been validated
• This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments.

Duties

• Duties include but are not limited to: The NA successfully performs activities of daily living and provides a range of care that contributes to the Veteran's treatment plan - recovery - and wellness under the direction of a licensed health care provider
• The NA may perform these duties in a variety of health care settings such as outpatient - inpatient - home or Community Living Center (CLC) - acute - sub-acute
• The NA will care for patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions
• The NA must demonstrate the following knowledge - skills - and abilities: 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
• The NA utilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for Veterans and refers deviation to appropriate health care staff
• Provides direct care for complex Veterans
• Make 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
• Monitors 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
• Works on small group activities with patients/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 self-care
• 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 preceptor and mentor to other NAs
• Orients members of the health care team to the units as appropriate
• Manages distributed patient behavior and intervenes and requests assistant from other health care members
• Appropriately initiates basic life support - takes appropriate action
• Completes all mandatory training within appropriate timelines
• Actively participates in annual competency assessment and validation
• Preferred Experience: The incumbent is required to maintain certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) - as well as Prevention & Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB) training according to their areas' risk assessment level
• This position may include a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as walking - bending - stooping - squatting and lifting up to 35 pounds
• There may also be extended periods of sitting - standing and walking
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols using mechanical lifts that are provided
• Support and/or facilitate unit groups or programming Work Schedule: Full-Time - 6:30am-7:00pm - varied weekends and holidays
• There will be one 8 hour in each pay period
• Tour subject to change depending on the needs of facility
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for eligible applicants who meet qualification criteria
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized