Launch Your Healthcare Career: Psychiatric Nursing Assistant at Naval Medical Center San Diego
Are you a dedicated healthcare professional looking to make a meaningful difference? The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is currently seeking compassionate and detail-oriented individuals to serve as Psychiatric Nursing Assistants at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego. This is a unique opportunity to work within a specialized inpatient mental health unit, providing critical support to our military community.
Job Responsibilities
As a Psychiatric Nursing Assistant, your daily duties are vital to maintaining a safe and healing environment. Key responsibilities include:
- Patient Intake: Processing new admissions, conducting thorough searches for contraband, and organizing patient charts.
- Clinical Support: Monitoring and documenting vital signs in the Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system.
- Patient Care: Assisting with daily activities, ensuring patient comfort, and encouraging participation in therapeutic programs.
- Safety & Security: Maintaining constant accountability for patients, particularly during outdoor activities, and understanding elopement risk protocols.
Requirements
To be considered for this position, you must meet specific federal criteria:
- Experience/Education: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience or an equivalent combination of education.
- Documentation: A resume of two pages or less is strictly required. Longer resumes will not be accepted.
- Clearance: Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance.
Grade Level Comparison
| Grade Level | Requirement Summary |
|---|---|
| GS-03 | 6 months general experience or 1 year college |
| GS-04 | 1 year general experience or 2 years college |
| GS-05 | Full performance level based on specialized experience |
Salary Overview
This position offers a competitive annual salary ranging from $37,051 to $60,494, depending on qualifications and grade level. Salaries are inclusive of applicable locality pay and market supplements for the San Diego area.
Benefits
Federal employees enjoy a robust benefits package, including:
- Comprehensive health, vision, and dental insurance.
- Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
- Paid annual and sick leave.
- Opportunities for promotion and professional growth.
Application Tips
- Be Concise: Since the resume limit is two pages, focus on highlighting your clinical skills and specific experience relevant to psychiatric care.
- Be Thorough: Include hours worked per week for every job entry. Omissions can lead to your application being marked as incomplete.
- Use Official Portals: Always apply through the official USAJOBS link to ensure your application is tracked correctly.
If you are ready to serve those who serve our country, this role as a Psychiatric Nursing Assistant offers the perfect balance of professional challenge and personal fulfillment. Apply today to start your journey with the Defense Health Agency.
Why This Psychiatric Nursing Assistant Job Matters
Make a meaningful impact on service members' lives as a Psychiatric Nursing Assistant at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego.
Psychiatric Nursing Assistant Job Overview
The Defense Health Agency is seeking compassionate individuals to join the Inpatient Mental Health Unit at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego. As a Psychiatric Nursing Assistant, you will play a critical role in providing secure, therapeutic, and high-quality care to patients. This position is part of a dynamic clinical team and offers a structured path for professional development and promotion within the federal healthcare system.
Requirements for Psychiatric Nursing Assistant
- U.S. Citizenship is required.
- Must be able to successfully complete a pre-employment background investigation (Secret Security Clearance).
- Must pass a mandatory drug screening.
- Completion of a one-year trial/probationary period may be required.
- Registration with the Selective Service for male applicants born after Dec 31, 1959.
- Resume must be two pages or less to be considered.
- Must be able to perform patient intake, contraband searches, and vital sign monitoring.
Preferred Qualifications for Psychiatric Nursing Assistant
- One year of specialized experience in a psychiatric or medical setting.
- Experience in patient intake procedures, including record-keeping and bed management.
- Prior experience obtaining clinical histories through personal interviews and medical records.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain patient safety in an inpatient environment.
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of higher education and healthcare experience.
Federal Benefits & Perks
- ✓Comprehensive federal health insurance options.
- ✓Competitive salary with locality pay adjustments.
- ✓Structured promotion potential to the GS-5 grade level.
- ✓Opportunities for professional development and training.
- ✓Access to federal retirement benefits and thrift savings plans.
- ✓Potential for enhanced leave accrual for qualified candidates.
💡 How to Apply Psychiatric Nursing Assistant Job & Insider Tips
Application Steps for Psychiatric Nursing Assistant Job
- Create or log into your USAJOBS account.
- Review the full job announcement carefully to confirm eligibility.
- Prepare a resume that is strictly two pages or less, focusing on specialized clinical experience.
- Complete the online questionnaire via the official portal.
- Submit all required documentation, including transcripts if substituting education for experience.
- Monitor your application status on the USAJOBS dashboard.
💡 General Tips
- Keep your resume concise; any document exceeding two pages will be automatically rejected.
- Use clear, plain language to describe your experience; avoid jargon and unexplained acronyms.
- Ensure you include hours worked per week for every position listed on your resume.
- Double-check your transcript submission if you are qualifying based on education.
- Apply well before the final closing date to allow time for system processing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the promotion potential for this role?
The position is a developmental role with a full performance target of GS-5. You may be promoted without further competition once eligible and recommended by management.
Is a security clearance required?
Yes, this position requires a Secret security clearance and is classified as Noncritical-Sensitive/Moderate Risk.
Can I use foreign education to qualify?
Yes, but you must provide an evaluation from a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign education programs showing equivalence to U.S. standards.
Job from Military Treatment Facilities Under Dha
The Defense Health Agency is an integrated health care system that serves more than 9.5 million uniformed service members, retirees, and their families globally. By joining the team at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, you become a strategic partner in a mission that prioritizes medical readiness and high-quality patient care, anytime and anywhere.