Nursing Assistant - Mental Health
The Nursing Assistant - Mental Health provides essential nursing support to patients with physical and behavioral health needs within the Confidential Client. This role involves assisting licensed nursing staff in delivering comprehensive care, observing and reporting patient status, operating medical equipment, and responding to emergent situations. The position requires strong communication skills, the ability to mentor new assistants, and the capacity to work effectively in stressful and dynamic healthcare environments.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Healthcare & Nursing.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
What You’ll Do
Confidential Client is seeking a Nursing Assistant - Mental Health to provide direct patient care and support in a behavioral health setting at the Perry Point, MD location. In this role you will assist licensed nursing staff, follow individualized care plans, observe and report changes in patient condition, and help maintain a safe, therapeutic environment for patients with a range of mental health and medical needs.
- Provide hands-on patient care under the supervision of licensed nurses.
- Monitor patients’ physical and emotional status and report deviations promptly.
- Assist with basic diagnostic and treatment procedures (e.g., bladder scans, blood glucose checks, specimen collection).
- Support mobility and transfers; safely lift and move patients as required (up to 30 lbs).
- Participate in infection control, isolation procedures, and annual employee health requirements.
- Communicate effectively with patients, families, and the interdisciplinary team.
- Serve as a preceptor/mentor to new Nursing Assistants when assigned.
Responsibilities
- Deliver a range of nursing care tasks in inpatient, outpatient, or long-term care settings.
- Contribute to nursing care plans and support patient recovery goals.
- Recognize and respond to emergent patient care needs (basic life support, bleeding control, behavior crisis interventions) while awaiting licensed clinician support.
- Properly use and maintain equipment and supplies required for basic and intermediate treatments.
- Document care activities accurately and timely.
- Support peer education and act as a positive team member in a complex clinical environment.
Minimum Qualifications
Candidates must meet one of the following basic qualification paths and related standards:
- United States Citizenship (non-citizens may only be appointed under specific VA policy exceptions).
- Experience/Education options:
- Six months of general experience demonstrating ability to learn NA duties; OR
- One year of education above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation; OR
- Completion of a specialized, occupation-related training program of less than one year that prepares you for NA duties.
- English language proficiency sufficient for safe, effective performance in spoken and written communication.
- Satisfy any applicable “grandfathering” provisions only if previously covered under older qualification standards (applies to current VHA employees meeting specific criteria).
- Meet grade-determination requirements for GS-3 through GS-5 (see below).
Grade-determination summary (applicants may be selected at GS-03, GS-04, or GS-05 depending on experience/education and demonstrated KSAs):
- GS-3 (Entry): Meets basic requirements; closely supervised.
- GS-4: One year specialized experience as an NA or related medical experience, or completion of 2 years of post‑secondary coursework related to nursing/health care; must demonstrate KSAs (patient care skills, observation/referral, equipment use, effective communication).
- GS-5 (Full Performance): One year of progressively responsible assignments equivalent to GS-4 or a 4‑year degree with related coursework; demonstrated professional KSAs and ability to function with broader responsibility and complexity.
Preferred Qualifications
- Minimum 2 years of mental health experience (preferred).
- Experience working with patients who have behavioral health needs, dementia, delirium, or psychiatric disorders.
- Prior experience serving as a preceptor or mentor is a plus.
Physical & Work Environment
- Visual acuity, hearing, clear speech, and manual dexterity are required.
- Frequent walking, standing, stooping, bending, sitting, pulling, and pushing.
- Ability to lift and transfer up to 30 lbs and assist with patient mobility.
- Potential exposure to infectious materials; adherence to protective and isolation protocols required.
- May occasionally care for combative patients; must be able to work effectively in stressful and changing environments.
Contract & Compensation
- Employment type: Contract (with Full-Time opportunities).
- Pay range (provided by Confidential Client): $44,233 - $69,632 per year.
- The actual grade and salary within the GS-03 to GS-05 range will depend on qualifications and experience.
- Must complete any required employee health screenings (e.g., TB testing) as a condition of employment.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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