Nursing Assistant (Psychiatric)

Veterans Affairs; Leeds; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental health service in Leeds is seeking an entry-level Nursing Assistant to support patients in various healthcare settings. Responsibilities include performing basic nursing duties under supervision, monitoring patients, and maintaining therapeutic environments. Preferred candidates will have 1-3 years of experience in psychiatric nursing. This full-time position offers competitive pay and comprehensive benefits, including paid time off and retirement options.

Benefits

37-50 days of annual paid time off

Paid parental leave

Federal health/vision/dental insurance

Qualifications

• Six months of general experience as a Nursing Assistant.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Preferred 1-3 years experience in psychiatric nursing.

Responsibilities

• Perform basic nursing duties under close supervision.
• Care for patients with acute to chronic conditions.
• Monitor patients and document pertinent observations.

Education

High school education or above

Completion of an intensive specialized training course

Job description

Nursing Assistant (Psychiatric) – U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Location: Leeds, MA – VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System. This position is within the Nursing – Operations service.

Pay Range

• Base pay: $43,209.00 per year – $70,538.00 per year

Summary

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

Qualifications

• Applicants pending completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
• 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 Nursing Assistant.
• One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation.
• 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.
• GRADE REQUIREMENTS and related criteria:
• Creditable Experience: Knowledge of Current Practice.
• Quality of Experience: NA experience must be documented on the application or resume and verified in an employment reference or through other independent means.
• Part-Time Experience: Part‑time experience as a NA is creditable according to its relationship to the full‑time workweek.
• Grade determinations: GS‑3, GS‑4, GS‑5 levels with specific experience, education, and KSAs.
• Preferred Experience: 1–3 years experience in psychiatric nursing.
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

Duties

• Total Rewards of an Allied Health Professional – this is an open continuous announcement intended for current and future vacancies at the location listed.
• This announcement will remain open until the closing date of 12/31/2025.
• Applications will be reviewed and referred at regular intervals based on the needs of the facility.
• The Nursing Assistant 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.
• Becoming proficient with maintaining positive therapeutic relationships by displaying respect for human dignity with patient – families – and/or significant others utilizing communication skills.
• Utilize observation skills for data collection, reporting, and recording.
• Participate in patient-centered conferences/shift reports and 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, rehabilitative aspects of care, performing and documenting prescribed medical treatment and interventions.
• Learning to be proficient with utilizing rehabilitative principles to promote patient independence and recovery – encouraging and guiding patient/resident in bowel and bladder training.
• Monitors patients according to levels of observation (one-to-one, continuous observation, Q 15-minute checks, safety rounding).
• Monitor veterans who may be at risk for harming themselves 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 assisting in monitoring proper function of equipment.
• Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to collect glucose values on veterans when needed and refer deviations to appropriate nursing staff or other health care professionals.
• Utilizes bladder scanner to collect information for RN and Provider as ordered.
• Utilizes ECG to collect information for RN and Provider as ordered.
• Organizing and obtaining routine supplies and equipment.
• 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.
• 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.
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus): Not Authorized.
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized.
• 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).
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment – up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with 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 programs can be carried into retirement.
• Telework: Not Available; Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: 631-F08228.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Physical Requirements

• Work involves varying periods of sitting, standing, and walking.
• Working with Veterans/residents requires bending, stooping, teaching, lifting, balancing, kneeling, pushing, wheelchair use, geri‑chair use, litter and similar activities.
• May be necessary to perform CPR and psychiatric intervention at a unit-specific level.
• An employee may be assigned to work any shift.

Seniority Level

Entry level.

Employment Type

Full-time.

Job Function

Health Care Provider.

Industries

Government Administration.