Summary The Nursing Assistant (NA) for Outpatient Mental Health is assigned to the Office of the Clinical Director for Mental Health at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC) in North Chicago, Illinois. FHCC is a VA and DoD dually integrated healthcare center providing care services to Veterans, Active -Duty Military Personnel, and their beneficiaries, including outpatient pediatric services. Responsibilities Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Personal Patient Care Duties Prioritizes and safely delivers care and a broad range of highly complex treatments and procedures for patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems. Reports and records care and changes notes in patients' condition to the supervising RN/ BHIP Nurse or Team Leader, on the progress notes and other forms as instructed and according to standards. Employs proper body mechanics and the safe use of equipment in the care of all patients. Obtains and documents patient's current medical history, drug/alcohol history, chief complaints, allergies, and vital signs on the standard forms. Recognizes early signs/symptoms and risk factors for suicide and disruptive behaviors and demonstrates effective strategies to reduce crisis situations. Communication and Documentation Duties Communicates calmly, courteously, and tactfully to patients, thus establishing a trusting relationship. Has an understanding of acting out behavior and responds appropriately, assisting the patient in developing acceptable behavior patterns. Acts as a role model thus promoting a sense of will and dignity to the patient. Interacts in a courteous/respectful manner with coworkers/members of the other services, families, and visitors. Uses appropriate channels of communication, i.e., verbal, non-verbal (eye contact, touch, facial expression, tone of voice, posture, and body movement), and written. Attends unit-based staff meetings. Follows verbal and/or written directions. Accurately conveys and receives information through either a verbal, written communication, or electronic mode. Adheres to dress/uniform policy. Safety and Supportive Duties Follows safety guidelines in accordance with training classes. Written procedures and supervisory instructions. Appropriately utilizes safety equipment and other devices/procedures necessary for protection: reports unsafe/unhealthful working conditions or unsafe equipment. Provides a safe, clean, therapeutic environment for patients and staff, which promotes socialization. Alert to safety and fire regulations and removes all hazards and contraband. Know the whereabouts of assigned patients at all times. Performs ongoing observation of the camera monitors and assess patient behavior correctly; identifies age specific safety issues efficiently and accurately; and prioritize and assist with patient needs as it relates to camera monitoring under the direction of the nurse. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 0730-1600 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements 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 trial period. 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 dentification 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). 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. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA; OR,] One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR, Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related [training] course of study [or program] of less than one year as a NA 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. 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-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; AND Demonstrated KSAs. 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. 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. 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. Physical Requirements: To perform in a fully successful manner, the individual must have the physical ability to perform the following job-related duties: moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); moderate carrying (15-44 pounds); requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing; transferring patients and objects may be required; hearing aid permitted. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. 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/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
