The Nursing Assistant position is location in Nursing Service (Patient Care Services) within VANTHCS. The incumbent will provide care under close supervision and refer issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded NAs or other healthcare professionals. The NA may perform these duties in a variety of healthcare settings such as outpatient, inpatient, home or community living care, acute, sub-acute. The NA will care for patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions.
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. 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. English Language Proficiency. Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. 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 Intermediate or developmental level : Experience. . One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant 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 Education. Successful completion of two years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care, health care 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: Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 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 : Experience: One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment; OR Education. Successful completion of 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: Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 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 Nursing Assistants 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: Activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, oral care, feeding, suction) Lift equipment and safe patient handling Experience in mental health, spinal cord, emergency, or wound care Team lead Excellent communication and team player References: VA Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G46, Nursing Assistant Qualifications Standard GS-0621, dated March 12, 2015. 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: Moderate Lifting and Carrying 15-44 pounds; Light lifting and Carrying, under 15 pounds; Pulling hand over hand ( 8-12 hours); Pushing ( 8-12 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking ( 8-12 hours); Standing ( 8-12 hours); Kneeling ( 8-12 hours); Repeated bending (8-12 hours); Both legs required; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted)
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 :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 and are monitored and closely supervised. The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision and refer issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded NAs or other healthcare professionals. The NA may perform these duties in a variety of healthcare settings such as outpatient, inpatient, home or community living care, acute, sub-acute Duties include but are not limited to: Will appropriately utilize glucose monitoring machine to collect and document appropriate glucose readings for assigned veteran. Maintains positive therapeutic relationships by displaying respect for human dignity with patient, families and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills. Begins to utilize observation skills for data collection, reporting and recording patient/resident observations. 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. Duties include but are not limited to: Maintains positive therapeutic relationships by displaying respect for human dignity with patient, families and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills. Utilizing observation skills for data collection, reporting and recording. Participating in patient centered conferences/shift reports and contributing information for the development and review of the nursing care plan. 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. The Nursing Assistant (NA) GS-05 is considered to be the full performance level for NAs. 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: Duties include but are not limited to: Utilize glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for Veterans ;Provide direct care for complex Veterans. Make observations of subtle changes in resident's condition, i.e., behavior shifts, mood, skin coloring, appetite, etc. Document care given, observations and responses on appropriate tools or forms. Work Schedule: 12 and 8 hour days 7am-7pm, 7am-3pm . All shifts will include weekends. Tour of duty could vary depending on the needs of the service. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 52804-F, 52795-F 52871-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized