Psychiatric Nursing Assistant

This Nursing Assistant position is within the Nursing, Operations service at VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System in Leeds, MA.

Duties:

• The Nursing Assistant (NA) performs basic nursing duties under close supervision in a variety of health care settings such as inpatient, outpatient, Community Living Center (CLC), Acute Mental Health/Detox, and Resident Rehabilitation Treatment Programs (RRTP).
• The NA will care for patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions, performing and documenting prescribed medical treatment and interventions for patients, such as diabetic urine testing and blood testing, simple dressing changes.
• Becoming proficient with maintaining positive therapeutic relationships by displaying respect for human dignity with patients, families, and/or significant others utilizing communication skills.
• Utilize observation skills for data collection, reporting, and recording.
• Participate in patient-centered conferences/shift reports, 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.
• Competent with performing aspects of nursing care to meet patients/residents needs for personal hygiene, physical comfort, activity, exercise, rest, nutrition, elimination, prevention of skin breakdown, and rehabilitative aspects of care.
• Learning to be proficient with utilizing rehabilitative principles to promote patient independence and recovery, encouraging and guiding patients/residents in bowel and bladder training.
• Engaging in group activities such as off-station trips, reality orientation, current events, and other therapeutic groups with direction and close supervision.
• Monitors patients according to levels of observation (i.e. one to one, continuous observation, Q 15-minute checks, and safety rounding).
• Monitor Veterans who may be at risk for harming themselves and/or others according to established policies and procedures and appropriately refer issues to the charge nurse or other healthcare professionals.
• Reports patient status to the RN and documents pertinent observations in the medical record according to established procedures.
• Sets up patient care related equipment, such as respiratory/oxygen delivery systems, portable and wall suction, and assists in monitoring proper function of equipment.
• Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to collect glucose values on veterans when needed and refers deviations to appropriate nursing staff or other health care professionals.
• Utilize Bladder Scanner and ECG to collect information for RN and Provider as ordered.
• Organizing and obtaining routine supplies and equipment.
• Assisting with patient education including orienting patient and family to unit routines and policies.
• Working as a cooperative, courteous member of the interdisciplinary team.
• Safeguarding the patient's right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of a confidential nature.
• Utilizes principles of proper body mechanics while caring for patients and follows procedures for use of patient care equipment to prevent injury.
• Begin to orient lower-level nursing assistants.
• Performs other duties as assigned by a supervisor/manager within their scope of work.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 11:30pm to 8am; Every other weekend and rotating Holidays. Tour of Duty may change based on the needs of the service.

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.

Conditions of Employment:

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

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.
• Experience or Education or Training: Six months of general experience or one year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation.
• English Language Proficiency: NAs must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Physical Requirements: Work involves varying periods of sitting, standing, and walking. Working with Veterans/residents requires bending, stooping, teaching, lifting, balancing, kneeling, pushing, etc.

Additional Information: A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.