Nursing Assistant (Mental Health In-Patient)

Allied Health Professional

Performs a wide variety of duties aimed at increasing the comfort, spirit, and recovery of the patient. Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for veterans refers deviation to appropriate health care staff. Measures vital signs to include temperature, pulse, respiration, pulse oximetry, blood pressure, weights, and pain measurement. Ensures proper specimen collection to include labeling according to policy, handling, and delivery to the laboratory. Transports patients and/or specimens to required destinations and prepares for and assists with examinations, diagnostic and therapeutic tests according to written procedures and policies. Makes observations of subtle changes in resident's condition, i.e., behavior shifts, mood, skin coloring, appetite, etc. and acts accordingly within the NA's assigned role. Recognizes and reports to the RN or provider any significant physical, emotional, or behavioral changes in the patient. Monitor 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 to care for the veteran, such procedures but not limited to enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care dressings, application and monitoring of braces and prosthetic devices. Works on small group activities with veterans according to the veteran's 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 veteran safety, such as restraints, restraint chair, and seclusion room. Verbally provides patient information to the treatment team for inclusion in the veteran's plan of care, participates in treatment team meetings for resident care planning. Proficient with chart documentation, direct patient care duties, patient and family teaching, and patient safety duties. Documents care, treatments, and observations in the electronic patient record. 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 NA's. Orients members of the health care team to the units as appropriate. Functions as a member of the unit base counsel. Manages disruptive patient behavior utilizing Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behaviors (PMDB) and appropriately intervenes and request assistant from other health care members. Assists with therapeutic treatment techniques to include conducting groups, 1:1 observation, the proper use of restraints and deescalating techniques. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Night Shift. 7:30 pm to 8 am. Tour of duty is 40 hours a week. Rotating nights off with weekends and holidays.

Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

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.