Nursing Assistant - Mental Health

Veterans Health Administration; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 38,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Parental Leave

Federal retirement benefits

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is hiring a Nursing Assistant (NA) for the Eastern Kansas VA Health Care System in Topeka. The NA works under RN/LPN supervision in a multidisciplinary team to deliver patient care and assist veterans and families.

The position progresses through GS-3 to GS-5 levels with increasing responsibility and supervision. It includes structured training, patient safety focus, and opportunities to develop core nursing skills in a federal setting.

Qualifications

• Formal Nursing Assistant training or equivalent as per VA requirements.
• Ability to perform nursing tasks under supervision.
• Ability to assist with basic patient care and data collection.

Responsibilities

• Provide nursing care and support in the Acute Psychiatry Inpatient Unit.
• Assist with monitoring vital signs and patient data per plan.
• Support safe patient handling and report safety concerns.
• Participate in orientation and ongoing learning with the care team.

Skills

Nursing care

Vital signs

Patient assistance

Teamwork

Job description

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

The Nursing Assistant (NA) at the Eastern Kansas VAHCS Topeka, serves as an integral member of the healthcare team. NA's work closely with our Veterans and their families to deliver exceptional customer and patient care.

Key Responsibilities

We are seeking to hire a Nursing Assistant to help serve our Veterans in our Acute Psychiatry Inpatient Unit. Under the clinical supervision of a licensed Registered Nurse (RN) or the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), the Nursing Assistant (NA) functions as a member of the multidisciplinary team assisting with the delivery of care to patients.

Duties include but not limited to: Provide a full range of services and nursing care to patients who present for or request assistance with a variety of mental, physical and/or behavior problems. Performs services requiring technical and manual skills and obtains basic patient data, e.g., vital signs, weight, blood glucose monitoring, participates in planning, and executes interventions in accordance with the treatment plan.

Aids patients with various disabilities and levels of mobility utilizing appropriate safe patient handling equipment (lifts, slings, etc.). Recognizes and reports potential safety hazards and life-threatening emergencies and respond appropriately. Fosters/supports a learning environment by participation in the orientation of new employees, providing feedback as appropriate and seeking opportunities for self-improvement. Other duties as assigned.

The Nursing Assistant (NA) GS-3 is the entry level nursing position; the candidate will be provided opportunities to develop basic nursing skills in order to provide care to patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions in a health care setting. Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry and are monitored and closely supervised.

The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision and refer issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded NAs, or other healthcare professionals. The Nursing Assistant (NA) at the GS-4 level is considered to be at the entry and are monitored and closely supervised.

The NA at this grade level is learning to provide complex nursing care independently as a member of the nursing care team by assisting higher graded NAs, licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team. The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision, are learning to perform complex nursing skills, and will refer issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded NAs, licensed nursing staff or other healthcare professionals.

The Nursing Assistant (NA) at the GS-5 level is the full performance level for Nursing Assistant (NA) occupation 0621 series. The 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 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 a peer education/mentorship.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: 7:30am-8:00pm, rotating weekends and holidays Compressed/Flexible: To be determined by management Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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 #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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 $37874 – $61837/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-09.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.