Summary

A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual. The Nursing Assistant position is learning to perform basic nursing duties under close supervision in a variety of health care settings such as outpatient - inpatient - home or community living care - acute - sub-acute. The Nursing Assistant will care for patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions in health care setting. This position location is in Nursing Service within VANTHCS.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• English Language Proficiency
• NAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements
• Experience or Education or Training
• Six months of general experience
• Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA
• OR - One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation
• OR - Completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related [training] course of study [or program] of less than one year as a NA may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Grade Determinations: GS-03 Entry Level - Experience and Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-04 Developmental Level- In addition to the basic requirements - have one year of specialized experience as a NA or experience in another medical field (licensed practical nurse - health technician - hospital corpsman - etc.) - performing technical and nursing skills requiring knowledge of the human physical and emotional states - therapeutic communication - and technical skills required for basic and intermediate treatments
• OR - have successfully completed 2 years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care - healthcare or in a field of study appropriate to the specialization of the position - such as education in a program for psychology - psychiatric - or operating room technicians (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents
• Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner
• Ability to properly use equipment - materials and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures such as bladder scan - continuous passive motion device - blood glucose monitoring machine - specimen collection - etc
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents - their families and other health professionals
• GS-05 Full Performance Level: In addition to the basic requirements - have one year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-04 level which demonstrates knowledge - skills - and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment
• In addition - can demonstrate the professional KSAs in subparagraph (c) below
• OR -I have successfully completed a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree that included 24 semester hours of courses related to health care or possession of a bachelor's degree (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): Ability to assist in the full range of nursing care to patients/residents with physical and/or behavioral problems in a hospital - long-term care or outpatient setting under the direction of a Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Vocational Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse
• Ability to communicate orally with patients/residents - families - interdisciplinary team and other personnel
• This includes serving as a preceptor to new NAs by assisting with the coordination of their orientation and overseeing/assessing their practical experience while in a clinical setting
• Ability to recognize and react to emergent patient/resident care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance
• For example - recognizing need for basic life support - controlling bleeding and assisting with behavior crisis - etc
• Preferred Experience: Direct Patient Care experience Long-Term Care experience Nursing Assistant Certification Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05
• Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to do protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• The NA must complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as annual TB screening or testing - as a condition of employment
• These physical requirements will be consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Nursing Assistant - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Nursing-Assistant-Career-Flyer.pdf The Nursing Assistant (NA) GS-03 is the entry-level nursing position
• The incumbent will be provided opportunities to develop basic nursing skills in order to provide care to patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions in a health care setting
• Individuals assigned as GS-03 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are monitored and closely supervised
• Duties include but are not limited to: Demonstrating skill/knowledge/ability to utilize glucose monitoring machine to collect and document appropriate glucose readings for assigned veteran
• Accurately and timely reports patient observations to the RN and or other members of the treatment team
• Actively participates in interdisciplinary team planning sessions by offering observations and suggestions
• The Nursing Assistant (NA) GS-04 is considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and is closely supervised
• The NA at this grade level performs basic nursing care and is learning to provide complex nursing care independently as a member of the nursing care team by assisting higher graded NAs - licensed nursing staff - and other members of the care team
• The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision - are learning to perform complex nursing skills - and will refer issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded NAs - licensed staff or other healthcare professionals
• All duties performed will be completed under close supervision with appropriate training and competencies for assigned tasks but are not limited to: Maintain positive therapeutic relationships by displaying respect for human dignity with patient - families and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills
• Maintain therapeutic environment for patients according to established procedures and policies by reporting actual or potential accidents - fire hazards and faulty equipment and taking measures to prevent injury
• Perform and document prescribed medical treatment and interventions for patients - such as diabetic urine testing and blood testing - simple dressing changes
• The Nursing Assistant (NA) GS-05 is considered to be the full performance level for NAs
• The NA at this grade level functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventative - acute - sub­ acute - chronic - maintenance - and hospice care
• The significant factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involved more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements
• NAs at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role
• All duties performed will be completed under close supervision with appropriate training and competencies for assigned task and not limited to: Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for veterans
• Provides direct care for complex veterans
• Makes observations of subtle changes in resident's condition - i.e
• behavior shifts - mood - skin coloring - appetite - etc
• Work Schedule: 12-hour shift (days/nights) with every other weekend
• May be required to work other shifts - be on call - work weekends and/or holidays as patient care and needs of the service require
• Should operational needs dictate - candidates must be willing to work within other units (including community-based outpatient clinics - for example) to assist and support continuation of the provision of care/services
• Functional Statement #: 52804-F - 52795-F 52871-F Relocation: Authorized - applicable for internal VA applicants
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized - applicable for applicants outside of VA
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.