The Nursing Assistant uses knowledge and skills to complete assigned duties which involve performing activities at the assigned level with supervision by the Registered Nurse. Provides care to Veterans with varying degrees of physical and mental disability in an Outpatient-Specialty Care setting. As an integral part of the nursing team the Nursing Assistant has an impact on Veterans, visitors, coworkers, and other employees of the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center.
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. Basic Requirements: Experience, Education or Training: (1)Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA;OR, (2)One year of education above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation; OR, (3)Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related [training]course of study or program of less than one year as a Nursing Assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. 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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS5: 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 in subparagraph (c) 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). 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: Phlebotomy Experience. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS05. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.
Current permanent VA employees and Federal employees from other federal agencies should apply under 12766926. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties for the position include (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. Utilize observation skills for data collection, reporting and recording patient/ resident observations Perform aspects of nursing care to meet patient's needs for the following under close supervision and with direction/guidance from a preceptor.: Personal Hygiene Physical comfort Activity, Exercise, Rest Nutrition Elimination Prevention of Skin Breakdown Rehabilitative Aspects of Care Engage in-group activities such as off-station trips, reality orientation, current events and other therapeutic groups. Performs EKG testing. Perform phlebotomy for tests as ordered by a physician. Labels specimens in accordance with facility policy and standard operating procedures. Duties may also include transport activities (transfer of patients to and from procedures/units) and delivering lab specimens to laboratory. Utilize principles of proper body mechanics while caring for patients. Reports patient observations to the RN and or other members of the treatment team. Performs nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures to care for the veteran for such procedures but not limited to: enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care- simple dressing, application of braces and prosthetic devices. Performs oropharyngeal, instructs patient in use of incentive spirometer. Instruct and assist patients with dressing and undressing in preparation for an examination. Assists with the discharge process as needed to maintain patient flow. Maintain and set up patient care related equipment Organize and obtain routine supplies and equipment; including Operating Room equipment and supplies. Assist with orienting patient/family to unit routines and policies. Work as a cooperative, courteous member of the interdisciplinary team. Safeguarding the patient's right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of a confidential nature. Uses proper safety practices. Utilize principles of proper body mechanics and follows procedures for use of patient care equipment to prevent injury to self or others in all settings such as utilization of lifting equipment. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 am- 4:00 pm, subject to change based on the needs of the facility. 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 #: 00021F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized.