This position is located within the Nursing Services at the Syracuse VA Medical Center serves as a Nursing Assistant (NA). The Nursing Assistant (NA) is responsible for assisting the licensed nursing staff in the care of patients throughout the facility receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute chronic, maintenance, and hospice care. The work requires knowledge of VA policies and procedures, comply with all Cyber and Informational Security Policies and Procedures.
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: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Experience or Education: 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 above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year which resulted in attaining certification as a nursing assistant 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-3: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience as a nursing assistant or experience in another medical field (LPN, 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 2 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 technician; AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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 of 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-5: Specialized 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs below; 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; AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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 Vocation 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 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. 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
Duties/Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following: This position carries out the day-to-day operations throughout the facility. This would include specimen collection to assist the nursing staff with blood draws and lab requests. Ensure the safe transport of inpatients and emergency room patients to and from therapeutic and diagnostic procedures using appropriate equipment and safety measures. The incumbent is cognizant of the signs and symptoms of impending violence such as increased agitation, yelling, or non-cooperation and takes prompt action. Transfers, transports, and monitors patients traveling by wheelchair, stretcher, or bed to procedures or medical tests in a safe and efficient manner. Utilizes verbal/written 'handoff' interactive communication that provides opportunity for questioning between the giver and receiver of patient information. Interact with escort volunteers to determine the most efficient way of accomplishing a transportation request. Keeps working areas clean and follows safety precautions utilizing sterile techniques and infection control techniques such as hand hygiene, mask wearing, transporting isolated patients, and cleaning wheelchairs after patient use. Ensures working area are free of obstructions. The employee will obtain and transport laboratory specimens and pharmacy items/paperwork to specified laboratory, and delivery points. Coordinate's transport of patient specimens and medications with escort volunteers. Gathers, stores, and distributes wheelchairs throughout the Medical Center, identifying wheelchairs in need of minor or major repair and removes from service. Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Nursing Assistant - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Nursing-Assistant-Career-Flyer.pdf Work Schedule: Full-time, rotating shift , every other weekend, and some holidays. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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) 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.