Summary

The LTC Charles S. Kettles VA Medical Center is seeking a Full-Time Nursing Assistant (NA) - assigned to 6S aligned under Patient Care Services.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Citizen of the 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: One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant [NA] occupation
• Completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related course of study of less than one year [1] 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
• For the GS-03 Experience and Education: None beyond the Basic Requirements
• For the GS-04 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 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 technicians
• AND You must also demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• (KSA's): Please make sure that each is addressed in detail in the body of your resume.GS-4 1
• Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents
• 2
• Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner
• 3
• 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
• 4
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents - their families and other health professionals
• For the GS-05 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
• Specialized experience includes: The Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists higher graded [NAs] - licensed nursing staff - and other members of the care team in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care - home or community living care - or other patients who are in acute - sub-acute - or chronic states of illness
• 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 You must also demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• (KSA's): Please make sure that each is addressed in detail in the body of your resume.GS-5. 1
• 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
• 2
• 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
• 3
• 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: VA Regulations - specifically VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G46 - Nursing Assistant - Job Qualification Standard
• Physical Requirements: Satisfactory physical examination as determined by the Employee Health Unit upon appointment only
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 (http://vaww1.va.gov/ohrm/HRLibrary/Dir-Policy.htm).This position requires visual acuity (glasses permitted) - keen hearing (hearing aid permitted) - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking (up to 8 hours) - standing (up to 8 hours) - stooping - sitting - bending (up to 8 hours) - pulling - and pushing
• Light lifting under 15 lbs
• Light carrying 15-44 lbs
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures
• Use of rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• 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
• Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week
• Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities
• Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment
• 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.

Duties

• The Nursing Assistant provides direct patient/resident care in a variety of settings - including acute care units - acute mental health unit - community living center
• Care includes assisting with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) - such as bathing - dressing - eating and mobility
• Operates a variety of equipment including - but not limited to - wheelchairs - stretchers - vital sign machines - bladder scanners - lifts and oxygen
• Assists with procedures using proper technique
• Transports patients using safe technique
• Completes thorough - timely and accurate documentation of care provided
• Must be able to recognize and react to acute changes or emergent patient conditions such as bleeding - abnormal vital signs and behavior crisis
• Duties if this position include but are not limited to: Assists in the care and treatment of patients receiving medical - surgical - or mental health treatment
• Observes and reports changes in patient behavior - attitude - and appearance - such as patients' color - vital signs - wound/skin condition - and reaction to/results of treatment
• Assists in the performance of treatment by performing duties such as the taking/monitoring - recording - and reporting of vital signs - height - weight - patient concerns/symptoms - and less obvious changes in patients' condition
• Assists with treatment and diagnostic procedures by preparing and positioning the patient - obtaining supplies/equipment - reassuring the patient - cleaning up following the procedure - documenting/reporting concerning the procedure - and conducting post-procedure checks on the patient as directed by the RN
• Provides care to patients experiencing extremes of behavior - including those who are severely depressed - agitated - and/or acting out and those patients with complex medical conditions
• The care provided frequently involves setting up/working around various types of medical equipment and the use of medical supplies
• Recognizes emergency situations and appropriately intervenes while awaiting assistance Work Schedule: To be Determined by Service Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.