Nursing Assistant - Acute Mental Health

Summary

VA Northern Indiana Health Care System is seeking innovative Nursing Assistants to join our Healthcare Team.

• Citizenship:
  United States citizenship required.
• Education:
  
  One year of high‑school or equivalent education plus courses related to nursing care or a related health‑care field.
• Experience:
  
  Six months of general experience or one year of education above high school with relevant courses, or completion of a specialized training program of less than one year that meets the experience requirements for GS‑3.
• English Proficiency:
  Spoken and written English proficiency in accordance with VA Handbook 5005.
• Physical Requirements:
  
  Visual acuity, hearing, clear speech, manual dexterity, and the ability to perform long periods of walking, standing, stooping, bending, lifting, and pushing.

• Provide complex nursing care under close supervision by assisting higher‑graded licensed nursing staff.
• Maintain therapeutic relationships with patients, families, and significant others using effective communication skills.
• Observe, collect, and document patient data, and participate in shift reports and nursing care plan reviews.
• Assist with patient hygiene, personal comfort, activity–exercise, rest, nutrition, elimination, and prevention of skin breakdown.
• Document prescribed medical treatments and interventions, including simple dressing changes and diabetic urine or blood testing.
• Promote patient independence through rehabilitative principles, including bowel and bladder training.
• Monitor patients for suicide risk and other safety concerns, and refer appropriate issues to the charge nurse or other health‑care professional.
• Use proper body mechanics and follow protocols for patient‑care equipment to prevent injury.
• Assist with patient education, orienting patients and families to unit routines and policies.
• Work collaboratively and courteously with the interdisciplinary team and safeguard patient privacy.