Summary

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 adult and geriatric Veteran with varying degrees of physical and mental disability. As an integral part of the nursing team the Nursing Assistant has an impact on Veterans - visitors - coworkers - and other employees of the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center.

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
• NAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j
• Experience - Education or Training: 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 of education above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation
• OR - 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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• 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 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
• 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-5. 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 - puling - 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.

Duties

• Current permanent VA employees and Federal employees from other federal agencies should apply under CBST-12781429-25-TH
• Nursing Assistant - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Nursing-Assistant-Career-Flyer.pdf Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include - but are not limited to: Reports patient observations to the RN and or other members of the treatment team
• Organizes and obtains routine supplies and equipment
• Assist with orienting patient/family to unit routines and policies
• Work as a cooperative - courteous member of the interdisciplinary team Engaging in-group activities such as off-station trips - reality orientation - current events and other therapeutic groups with direction and close supervision
• Monitors patients according to levels of observations i.e
• (one to one suicide - continuous observation - every 15 minute checks - and hourly rounding
• Monitors Veterans who may be at risk for harming themselves and or others according to established policies and procedures and appropriately refers issues to the charge nurse or other health care professional
• Utilizes principles of proper body mechanics while caring for patients
• Administers complete tracheostomy care - including suctioning
• Monitor and documents patient intake and output reports deviations timely and accurately 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
• Works on small group activities with veterans/residents according to the patients/ resident treatment plan
• Recognizes the residents' autonomy and promotes independence by means of respect - limit setting and individualized treatment
• Actively participates in Treatment Planning Meetings
• Utilizes equipment to promote the veteran self-care - such as
• lift equipment - Hydro sound Tubs - and Veteran/Resident Wandering System
• Work Schedule: 7:30 pm to 8:00 am
• two 12 hour shifts per week - every other weekend Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): 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 #: 580-02018F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized