Psychiatric Nursing Assistant

Duties

THIS POSITION IS ONLY OPEN TO CURRENT EMPLOYEES OF THE MIAMI VA HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

The Nursing Assistant on the acute inpatient mental health unit is an integral member of the nursing care team. At the direction of the RN,the incumbent provides personal care and emotional support for acutely ill mental health patients. Effective interpersonal and communication skills with patients and team members, excellent skills in motivating and redirecting patients to meet treatment goals, and ability to provide specialized care for acutely psychotic and suicidal patients is required.

Work Schedule: Day/Night 12-hour rotating shifts (7:30 am - 8:00 pm & 7:30 pm - 8:00 am) including holidays and weekends.

*F*unctional Statement:Nursing Assistant.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

U.S. citizenship: Citizen of the United States xml:namespace prefix = "o" ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /

English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.

Education or Training: One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation. Completion of 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.

Certification: Current Basic Life Support (BLS).

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Grade Determinations:

GS-3 NA (Entry Level)

Experience, Education and Certification. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4 NA

Experience. One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant 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,

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.

GS-5 NA (Full Performance Level)

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,

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

Specialized Experience: Qualifying specialized experience includes non professional nursing care work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other medical, nursing, or patient care facility, or in such work as that of a home health aid performing duties, such as:

·Providing personal nursing care such as providing pre- and post-operative care.

·Support duties for diagnostic and technical treatment procedures, such as setting up and operating special medical equipment and apparatus.

·Caring for mentally ill patients, including observing, recording, and reporting changes in their behavior, and providing reassurance and encouragement.

·Assisting surgeons and registered nurses in operating room activities, including passing instruments, maintaining sterile conditions, and draping and positioning patients.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G46 Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit OPM's web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.

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