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.
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: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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/.
SONIA.WHIPP@VA.GOV · (909)487-4135
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $44610 – $70347/yr.
This position requires a Other security clearance.
Applications close on 2026-09-25.
This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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