Nursing Assistant - Mental Health
The Nursing Assistant - Mental Health role at Confidential Client involves providing comprehensive nursing care to patients with physical and behavioral health challenges under the supervision of licensed nurses. Responsibilities include patient observation, therapeutic communication, use of medical equipment, emergency response, and serving as a preceptor to new nursing assistants. This position requires physical stamina and the ability to work closely with interdisciplinary teams in a clinical setting.
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 clinical teams in a behavioral health setting. You will work under the direction of licensed nursing staff to help deliver safe, compassionate care for patients with physical and/or behavioral health needs.
- Provide daily direct care: bathing, dressing, feeding, mobility assistance and basic nursing treatments.
- Monitor and report changes in patients’ physical and emotional status to supervising nurses.
- Assist with diagnostic/treatment procedures (specimen collection, blood glucose checks, bladder scans, CPM devices) following established protocols.
- Support implementation and documentation of individualized care plans and recovery goals.
- Use therapeutic communication with patients, families and interdisciplinary teams.
- Recognize and respond to emergent situations; provide initial intervention until additional help arrives (e.g., BLS, bleeding control, behavior crisis support).
- Follow safe patient handling and mobility protocols.
- As applicable (GS-5 level), act as a preceptor for new Nursing Assistants and help coordinate orientation activities.
Who You Are / Qualifications
Minimum requirements (federal qualification standard overview):
- United States Citizenship required (non-citizens appointed only when permitted by policy).
- Experience or education/training meeting one of the following:
- Six months of general experience that demonstrates ability to learn NA work; or
- One year of education above high school with coursework related to nursing/healthcare; or
- Completion of an intensive, occupation-related NA training program (under one year).
- Demonstrated ability to perform patient care and follow directions under nursing supervision.
Grade-level guidance (selection may be at GS-3 through GS-5):
- GS-3 (Entry): Meets basic requirements; closely supervised.
- GS-4: One year of specialized NA experience or related medical experience; OR two years post–high school with relevant coursework. Must demonstrate KSAs such as patient care support, equipment use, and effective communication.
- GS-5 (Full performance): One year of progressively responsible assignments at or equivalent to GS-4; OR bachelor’s degree with 24 semester hours in health-related coursework. GS-5 incumbents may precept new staff and demonstrate independent application of professional KSAs.
Preferred
- Psychiatric or hospital experience is preferred.
Notes
- This role is a contract, full-time position.
- Confidential Client follows federal qualification standards; veterans’ hiring rules and grandfathering provisions may apply where relevant.
Compensation & Employment Details
- Salary range: $37,874 - $61,837 per year.
- Employment type: Contract; Full time.
- Location: Topeka, KS.
- Work environment: Hospital, long-term care, or outpatient behavioral health settings.
Physical Requirements
This position involves physical tasks typical of direct patient care: prolonged standing/walking, moderate lifting, bending, kneeling, and assisting patient transfers. Candidates must be able to perform these duties safely, following safe patient handling protocols.
Legal & Hiring Notes
- Applicants pending completion of required education or certification may be tentatively referred but cannot be hired until all requirements are met.
- Careertakes supports a fair, non-discriminatory hiring process. All candidates will be evaluated based on job-related criteria and qualifications.
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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