Summary

The VA Western New York Healthcare System (VAWNYHS) is a Joint Commission accredited - Level IC major interdisciplinary teaching facility with care lines serving medical - surgical - geriatric and behavioral health inpatients and outpatients - with an Emergency Department - and multiple community-based outpatient clinics (CBOC). Home Based Primary nursing care is also provided.

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
• Six months of general experience
• Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of an NA
• OR - One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation
• OR
• Completion of an intensive specialized - occupation-related [training] course of study [or program] of less than one year as a NA 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 Nursing Assistant: Nothing beyond the indicated basic requirements above GS-4 Nursing assistant: Experience: One year of specialized experience as a CNA 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 Demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (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 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
• GS-5 Nursing Assistant: 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 Demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (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 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
• Preferred Experience: Previous Nursing Assistant 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 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: Heavy lifting 35 lbs. - carrying - 1 hour - heavy carrying - 35 pounds and over - pushing (4 hours) - reaching over shoulder - both hands required - walking (4 hours) - standing (4 hours) - kneeling - repeated bending - both legs required - ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously - ability to distinguish colors.

Duties

• The VA Western New York Healthcare System (VAWNYHS) is hiring 1 Nursing Assistant in Acute Care
• The Nursing Assistant (NA) is responsible for providing safe - effective care to patients/residents
• Duties include but are not limited to: VA Nursing Assistants perform care as delegated by a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse
• Nursing Assistants will assist medical personnel in the care and treatment of patients - including direct patient care
• The NA performs a wide variety of duties aimed at increasing the comfort and mental health of the patient
• The NA performs patient care and take measures to address the patient's bio-psychosocial needs - personal hygiene - physical comfort - nutrition - hydration - and safety
• The NA will encourage patients with self-care and promote independence - while reporting to the Registered Nurse
• The NA will learn to appropriately utilize glucose monitoring machine to collect and document appropriate glucose readings for assigned veteran The NA maintains a positive therapeutic relationships by displaying respect for human dignity with patient - families and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills
• The NA begins to utilize observation skills for data collection - reporting and recording patient/resident observations The NA will learn to perform aspects of nursing care to meet patient's needs for the following under close supervision and with direction/guidance from a preceptor such as: Personal Hygiene Physical comfort Activity - Exercise - Rest Nutrition Elimination Prevention of Skin Breakdown Rehabilitative Aspects of Care The NA will engage in-group activities such as off-station trips - reality orientation - current events and other therapeutic groups
• The NA will learn to utilize principles of proper body mechanics while caring for patients
• The NA reports patient observations to the RN and or other members of the treatment team
• The NA is trained to set up patient care related equipment- Organizes and obtains routine supplies and equipment
• The NA will assist with orienting patient/family to unit routines and policies
• The NA will work as a cooperative - courteous member of the interdisciplinary team
• The NA will safeguard the patient's right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of a confidential nature
• The NA uses proper safety practices
• The NA will learn to utilize equipment and supplies according to procedures
• The NA will learn to 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
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: Nursing Assistant - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Nursing-Assistant-Career-Flyer.pdf Work Schedule: 12-hour Day/Nights - 0730-2000
• Variable days - includes weekends & holidays
• 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 nursing assistant 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 (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized