Nursing Assistant

Summary

The Nursing Assistant supports the inpatient Mental Health unit at the West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System by providing safe, direct, and therapeutic care to Veterans. Responsibilities include assisting licensed staff, supporting treatment and recovery activities, responding to emergencies, leading groups, and helping maintain a safe and healing environment.

Duties

• Primary Duties - Inpatient Mental Health Nursing Assistant (Not Limited To): - Provide direct patient care including, but not limited to bathing, toileting, feeding, ambulation, positioning, and personal hygiene - Obtain and document vital signs, intake/output, height, and weight - Assist in implementing therapeutic and supportive care plans - Perform treatment procedures not limited to specimen collection, external urinary device application, oral suctioning, stoma/ostomy care, G-tube care, and skin care - Support wound and pressure injury care under RN guidance - Utilize behavioral interventions and de-escalation techniques per PMDB training - Observe and report physical or emotional changes in patients in a timely manner - Maintain a clean, safe, therapeutic environment - Serve as the unit's safe patient - Handling liaison and use proper body mechanics and assistive devices for transfers - Safely operate patient care equipment including, but not limited to bladder scanners, glucose monitors, CPM devices, pulse oximetry, patient lifts, EKG machines, specialty beds, traction devices, oxygen/suction equipment, and wheelchairs - Escort patients to appointments and activities within the facility- Provide continuous 1:1 observation for high-risk patients; assist with redirection, orientation, and monitoring - Apply protective restraints only as directed by an RN and complete required documentation - Participate in effective hand-off communication to clinical staff - Transport collected specimens to the laboratory - Assist with patient transfers using safe handling techniques and assistive devices - Encourage and participate in group or one-on-one therapeutic activities - Document authorized patient care information in the medical record - Maintain clean patient rooms, equipment, and common areas - Assist with patient/family orientation to the unit and provide routine instructions - Initiate emergency procedures such as CPR and choking response - Respond to call bells and assist with unit communication - Participate in PMDB training and maintain required certifications - Demonstrate strong customer service and support VA values - Communicate observations to the interdisciplinary team to support care planning - Assist with diet-related tasks including, but not limited to meal delivery, tray pickup, diet accuracy checks, and identifying nutritional risks - Deliver nourishments and assist with menu selection processes - Maintain up-to-date knowledge of unit SOPs and remain competent in all observation levels - Float to other mental health or nursing areas as needed - Participate in shift-change reports and warm hand-off communication - Perform additional nursing support duties as assigned and not limited to the tasks above. Preferred Experience: - Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) - Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification - Preferred experience includes providing direct patient care in mental health settings, assisting with daily living activities, observing and reporting behavioral changes, supporting therapeutic interventions, and working with patients who have acute or chronic psychiatric conditions. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Various, rotating weekends/holidays Telework: Not eligible for Telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 40799F, 41681F & 41682F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Requirements

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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

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/.