Summary

The Nursing Assistant (NA) performs a range of patient care in a variety of settings. The Nursing Assistant performs care as delegated by a Registered Nurse to those patients on a behavioral health unit at the Albany Stratton VAMC. Performs work in assisting other medical personnel in the care or treatment of patients who have serious and sometimes life-threatening illnesses or medical conditions. Assists nursing staff with the direct patient care.

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: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j
• 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: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 technicians
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs 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 of 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
• GS-5: 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 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 Vocation 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 nursing assistants by assisting with 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
• Preferred Experience: Experience working with psychiatric patients preferred
• References: Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard GS-621 Veterans Health Administration - VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G46.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5. Physical Requirements: The physical requirements of this position include lifting - prolonged standing and sitting - frequent bending - walking (distance) - climbing - reaching (overhead - extensive/repetitive) - pulling - pushing - repetitive motion and stooping
• The mental/sensory requirements include recall - reasoning - problem-solving - hearing - speaking clearly - writing legibly - keyboarding - reading and logical thinking - depth perception - hearing (aide permitted)
• near/far vision correctable to meet Driver's License requirements
• The environment's pace can vary from steady to a sometimes-fast pace requiring handling of multiple priorities - frequent - sometimes intense customer interactions - and the ability to adapt to frequent changes in a sometimes-noisy environment
• There may be the need to use personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to disease - illness and hazardous materials
• Work requires extensive walking - standing - stretching and bending in caring for patients.

Duties

• The duties of the Nursing assistant include but are not limited to: Participates in patients' admissions by establishing rapport and orienting the patient to the physical layout of the unit - hospital and unit rules/regulations - unit staff and patient rights
• Provides nursing care to patients of all ages and cultures and who are acutely - chronically - or seriously ill
• Provides input regarding patient care planning and implementation
• Offers constructive suggestions for improvement of patient care and encourages others to do the same
• Observes - reports and charts changes in patient's condition - attitudes - and complaints
• Institutes appropriate measure of intervention with patients during behavioral incidents
• Encourages the development of patient independence and assists with activities of daily living as appropriate
• Shares in responsibility for general ward orderliness and sanitation and care of equipment
• Keeps immediate supervisor informed of supply shortages and defective equipment
• Actively participates in developing and maintaining a safe recovery-oriented environment for patients and staff
• Assumes responsibility for validating own observations and therapeutic patient interventions with professional team members
• Actively participates as a member of the multidisciplinary treatment team
• Assists the Registered Nurse in the care and treatment of the patient
• Recognizes emergency situations and intervene within scope of practice while awaiting assistance
• Assists the charge nurse with dressing changes and complex procedures
• Utilizes all lifting equipment to the fullest capability to assist the patient in getting in and out of bed
• Will help educate and show other staff how to use the equipment safely and effectively
• Work Schedule: Full time
• Tour will be discussed in interview Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required