Summary

The Community Living Center Nursing Assistant (NA) at the Eastern Kansas VAHCS Leavenworth - KS serves as an integral member of the healthcare team. NA's work closely with our Veterans and their families to deliver exceptional customer and patient care.

Qualifications

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 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 Creditable Experience(1) Knowledge of Current Practice
• To be creditable - the experience must have required the use of knowledge - skills - and abilities associated with the current practice.(2) Quality of Experience
• To be creditable - NA experience must be documented on the application or resume and verified in an employment reference - or through other independent means.(3) Part-Time Experience
• Part-time experience as a NA is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek
• For example - a [NA] employed 20 hours a week - or on a 1/2-time basis - would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service
• Preferred Experience: Rehabilitation - Skilled - or Hospice Care experience preferred
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-3 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level)(a) Experience and Education
• None beyond the basic requirements.(b) Assignments
• Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised
• GS-4 Nursing Assistant Experience
• One year of specialized experience as a NA 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
• (Transcripts required)
• 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 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
• Assignment
• Individuals assigned as GS-4 NAs are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised
• NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist 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/residents who are in acute - sub-acute - or chronic states of illness
• The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision and refer issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded NAs or other healthcare professionals
• In this role - 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
• The Nursing Assistant in this role provides care under close supervision and refers issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded NAs - or other healthcare professionals
• GS-5 Nursing Assistant (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
• 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
• (Transcripts required)
• 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 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
• Assignment
• This is the full performance level for NAs
• NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care - home or community living care or other patients/residents who are in acute - sub-acute or chronic states of illness
• The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involve 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
• References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/81 Part II Appendix G46The 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 demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job
• While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to stand - walk - and bend and reach with hands and arms
• Must give good manual dexterity and keyboarding skills are essential
• Must be able to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word
• Must obtain impressions through the eyes of shape - size - distance - motion - color or other characteristics of objects
• Must be able to view and read information on computer screens
• Must be able to occasionally lift and/or move 45 pounds or more
• Must be able to carry 25 pounds short distances.

Duties

• We are seeking to hire a Nursing Assistant to help serve our Veterans in our Community Living Center (CLC)
• Under the clinical supervision of a licensed Registered Nurse (RN) or the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) - the Nursing Assistant (NA) functions as a member of the multidisciplinary team assisting with the delivery of care to patients
• Duties include but not limited to: Provide a full range of services and nursing care to patients who present for or request assistance with a variety of mental - physical and/or behavior problems
• Performs services requiring technical and manual skills and obtains basic patient data - e.g. - vital signs - weight - blood glucose monitoring - participates in planning - and executes interventions in accordance with the treatment plan
• Aids patients with various disabilities and levels of mobility utilizing appropriate safe patient handling equipment (lifts - slings - etc.)
• Recognizes and reports potential safety hazards and life-threatening emergencies and respond appropriately
• Fosters/supports a learning environment by participation in the orientation of new employees - providing feedback as appropriate and seeking opportunities for self-improvement
• Other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Night Shift
• specifics to be determined by management
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
• Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.