Nursing Assistant - Mental Health

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The US Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Nursing Assistant to provide direct care to Veterans across inpatient, outpatient, and long-term settings. You will monitor patient conditions, assist with daily activities, and support licensed staff in delivering high-quality care.

Applicants must meet basic requirements and may be referred while meeting licensure/certification. The role emphasizes safe, compassionate service and preparation for increasing responsibility from entry to full

Qualifications

• Six months of general experience in nursing or related health care fields.
• One year of education above high school with courses related to nursing care.
• Completion of an intensive, occupation-related NA training program of less than one year.
• English language proficiency in speaking and writing.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct care to Veterans in inpatient, outpatient, and long-term care settings.
• Monitor patient conditions and assist with daily activities.
• Respond to emergencies and ensure safe, compassionate care.
• Work closely with licensed nursing staff to support care plans.

Skills

Therapeutic communication

Emergency response

Patient care

Documentation

Education

Two years of college education with nursing-related courses

Bachelor's degree in health care-related field

Job description

The Nursing Assistant provides essential support to licensed nursing staff, delivering direct care to Veterans in inpatient, outpatient, and long-term care settings. The role includes monitoring patient conditions, assisting with daily activities, performing basic diagnostic tasks, responding to emergencies, and ensuring safe, compassionate, high-quality care for all patients.

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.
• Experience, Education or Training: Must meet one of the following:
  • Six months of general experience demonstrating the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the duties of a Nursing Assistant; OR
  • One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR
  • Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related training program of less than one year as a NA.
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7402(d).

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-03 (Entry Level):

• Experience/Education: None beyond the basic requirements.
• Assignments: Entry-level; closely supervised.

GS-04 (Intermediate Level):

Experience:

• One year of specialized experience as a NA or in another medical field (LPN, health technician, hospital corpsman, etc.) requiring knowledge of human physical/emotional states, therapeutic communication, and technical nursing skills; OR

Education:

• Successful completion of two years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care, health care, or a related field appropriate to the NA specialization.

You must also demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to nursing care plans.
• Ability to observe and report physical/emotional status changes.
• Ability to properly use equipment/materials for simple diagnostic and treatment procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, and health professionals.

GS-05 (Full Performance Level):

Experience:

• One year of progressively responsible assignments equivalent to GS-04 demonstrating knowledge, skills, and abilities directly related to the NA assignment; OR

Education:

• Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours in health care-related courses (or possession of a bachelor's degree).

You must also demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Ability to assist in the full range of nursing care for patients with physical and/or behavioral problems in hospital, long-term care, or outpatient settings.
• Ability to communicate orally with patients/residents, families, and interdisciplinary teams, including serving as a preceptor.
• Ability to recognize and react to emergent care situations and intervene appropriately (e.g., basic life support, controlling bleeding, behavioral crisis response).

Preferred Experience

• Experience providing care in Mental Health & Behavioral Health settings.
• Experience using therapeutic communication, de-escalation techniques, and trauma-informed care.
• Prior experience as a Nursing Assistant or similar role in hospital, long-term care, or outpatient environments.
• Experience responding to behavioral emergencies or assisting in crisis situations.

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 requires regular and recurring physical exertion, including but not limited to:

• Standing and walking for extended periods.
• Repeated bending, stooping, stretching, and lifting/carrying items weighing 45 pounds or more.
• Reaching above the shoulder, pushing, and pulling.
• Use of both hands and fingers for clinical tasks and equipment operation.
• Adequate vision (near and far) correctable; ability to distinguish basic colors and shades.
• Adequate hearing to communicate and perform patient assessments.
• Emotional and mental stability to respond appropriately to stressful or emergent situations.