Psychiatric Nursing Assistant GS-0621-05

Defense Health Agency (DHA) San Diego, CA, US

Overview

This position is located in Directorate of Nursing, Mental Health IP Ward, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California.

Psychiatric Nursing Assistant

Salary Range: $46,533 - $60,494 per year

Downtown San Diego is located on San Diego Bay. Balboa Park encompasses several mesas and canyons to the northeast, surrounded by older, dense urban communities including Hillcrest and North Park. To the east and southeast lie City Heights, the College Area, and Southeast San Diego. To the north lies Mission Valley and Interstate 8. The communities north of the valley and freeway, and south of Marine Corps Air Station Mirmar, include Clairemont, Kearny Mesa, Tierrasanta, and Navajo. Stretching north from Miramar are the northern suburbs of Mira Mesa, Scripps Ranch, Rancho Penasquitos, and Ranch Bernado. The far northeast portion of the city encompasses Lake Hodges and the San Pasqual Valley, which holds an agricultural preserve. Carmel Valley and Del Mar Heights occupy the northwest corner of the city. To their south are Torrey Pines State Reserve and the business center of the Golden Triangle. Further south are the beach and coastal communities of La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, and Ocean Beach. Pont Loma occupies the peninsula across San Dego Bay from downtown. The communities of South San Diego (an Enclave), such as San Ysidro and Otay Mesa, are located next to the Mexico-United States border and are physically separated from the rest of the city by the cities of National City and Chula Vista. A narrow strip of land at the bottom of San Diego Bay connects these southern neighborhoods with the rest of the city.

San Diego has one of the top-ten best climates in the United States and has one of the two best summer climates in the country as scored by The Weather Channel. San Diego area has been variously categorized as having either a semi-arid climate or a Mediterranean climate. San Diego's climate is characterized by warm, dry summers and mild winters, with most of the annual precipitation falling between December and March. The city has a mild climate year-round, with an average of 201 days above 70 °F and low rainfall (9–13 inches annually).

Responsibilities

As a Psychiatric Nurse Assistant (often referred to as a Psychiatric Technician or Mental Health Technician) within the Defense Health Agency (DHA), you play a critical role in maintaining the mental readiness of the force. You serve as a key member of the interdisciplinary treatment team, providing direct care to service members, retirees, and their families. Your primary mission is to ensure patients are comfortable, safe, and receiving the therapeutic support necessary for recovery.

Within the DHA, this often involves working in Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) ranging from inpatient psychiatric wards to outpatient menatal health clinics.

Working for the DHA involves a specific focus on Ready Reliable Care.

Unlike many civilian roles, the Psychiatric Nurse Assistant in this environment must be attuned to the unique stressors of military life, including deployment-related trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) support, and combat-related stressors.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration: You will work directly alongside Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Social Workers, and Registered Nurses to execute individualized treatment plans.
Mission Readiness: Your observations are vital for determining if a service member is "fit for duty" or requires specialized rehabilitation.
Safe Practices: Following strict IL5 security and safety protocols ensures the physical and emotional well-being of forensic and non-forensic patients alike.

Process patients for admission by searching belongings for contraband, obtaining inpatient/outpatient records, preparing patient charts with proper forms, and assigning beds.
Take patient vital signs and documents in EMR.
Collect information from personal interview, medical records, medical personnel, and any other concerned person in order to obtain a thorough clinical history.
Provide assistance, security, and patient comfort.
Assist in coordinating activities and encourages participation by patients.
Maintain accountability of patients during outdoor activities, meals, and other activities.
Escort patients safely on and off the unit; knows the patient management procedures for elopement risks

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US CitizensIn order to qualify, you must meet the experience and\or education requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service which includes the following: Assisting and participating in the planning and evaluation of patient needs and in providing a safe and therapeutic environment. Process patients for admission by searching belongings for contraband, obtaining inpatient/outpatient records, preparing patient charts with proper forms, and assigning beds. Take patient vital signs and documents in Emergency Room. Collect information from personal interview, medical records, medical personnel, and any other concerned person in order to obtain a thorough clinical history.OREducation: Four year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree.(NOTE: You must attach a copy of your transcripts)ORCombination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of education beyond two years (total semester hours minus 60) by 60. Add the two percentages.(NOTE: You must attach a copy of your transcripts)

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