Summary

The NA Inpatient 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.

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: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Education or Training
• One year above high school with courses related to the [NA] occupation
• Completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. 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
• Grandfathering Provisions
• All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the series and grade held that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply:[(1)] Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.[(2)] If an employee who was retained (grandfathered) under this provision leaves the occupation - the employee loses protected status of the grandfathering provision and must meet the full VA qualification standard basic requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation
• 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 followingKSAs:1
• Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.2
• Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.3
• 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.d) Assignment1
• Individuals assigned as GS-4 [NAs] are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised
• NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist higher graded NAs - licensed nursing staff - and other members of the care team in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care - home or community living care or other patients/residents who are in acute - sub-acute - or chronic states of illness
• The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision and refer issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded [NAs] or other healthcare professionals.2
• In this role - the Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists higher graded [NAs] - licensed nursing staff - and other members of the care team in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care - home or community living care - or other patients who are in acute - sub-acute - or chronic states of illness
• The Nursing Assistant in this role provides care under close supervision and refers issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded NAs - or other healthcare 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 KSAs1
• 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.2
• 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
• 3
• 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.(d) Assignment
• "See additional info section for GS-5 qualifications" Preferred Experience: One year of Mental health experience preferred
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• The NA may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in Functional Statement: Nursing Last Updated: April 6 - 2025 Assistant GS 05 Page: 4 isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures
• The NA may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The NA must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• The NA must complete annual employee health requirements - such as annual TB screening or testing - as a condition of employment
• These physical requirements will be consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Major duties include but not limited to: Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for veterans refers deviation to appropriate health care staff
• Provides direct care for veterans requiring complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements
• Assumes role for peer education/mentorship
• Makes observations of subtle changes in resident's condition - ie: shifts in behavior - 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
• Administers complete tracheostomy care - including suctioning
• Monitor and documents patient intake and output reports deviations timely and accurately
• Demonstrates skill and knowledge necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served including knowledge of growth and development - the ability to obtain and interpret information to identify patient needs and provide the care needed
• Becoming proficient with maintaining positive therapeutic relationships by displaying respect for human dignity with patient - families and/or significant others utilizing communication skills
• Utilize observation skills for data collection - reporting and recording
• Participate in patient centered conferences/shift reports and contributing information for the development and review of the nursing care plan
• Maintain a therapeutic environment for patients according to established procedures and policies by reporting actual or potential accidents - fire hazards and faulty equipment
• Work Schedule: 8 and12 hour tour including weekdays - weekends - and holidays
• Tour determined by supervisor
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.