Summary

The Nursing Assistant is considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and is closely supervised. The NA is learning to provide complex nursing care independently as a member of the nursing care team by assisting higher graded NAs - licensed nursing staff - and other members of the care team. They provide care under close supervision - and will refer issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded NAs - licensed nursing staff or other healthcare professionals.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizen of the United States (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g - this part Experience or 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 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. Physical Requirements See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements 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 REQUIREMENTS Creditable Experience Knowledge of Current Practice: To be creditable - the experience must have required the use of knowledge - skills - and abilities associated with the current practice 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 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 Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates GS-3 NA (Entry Level) Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements Assignments: Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised GS-4 NA 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
• 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 health care professionals In this role - the NA 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 NA in this role provides care under close supervision and refers issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded NAs - or other health care professionals GS-5 NA (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
• AND Demonstrated 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 NOTE: Students/trainees may be appointed in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7405(a)(1)(D)
• See Part II - Chapter 3 - paragraph 5 of VA Handbook 5005

Duties

• Becoming proficient with maintaining positive therapeutic relationships by displaying respect for human dignity with patient - families and/or significant others utilizing communication skills - Utilize observation skills for data collection - reporting and recording - Participate in patient centered conferences/shift reports - and contributing information for the development and review of the nursing care plan - Maintain a therapeutic environment for patients according to established procedures and policies by reporting actual or potential accidents - fire hazards and faulty equipment - Competent with performing aspects of nursing care to meet patient'/resident needs for: Personal hygiene Physical comfort Activity - exercise - and rest Nutrition Elimination Prevention of skin breakdown Rehabilitative aspects of care - Performing and documenting prescribed medical treatment and interventions for patients - such as diabetic urine testing and blood testing - simple dressing changes - Learning to be proficient with the utilizing rehabilitative principles to promote patient independence and recovery - encouraging and guiding patient/residents in bowel and bladder training - 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 - 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 - Reports patient status to the RN and documents pertinent observations in the medical record according to established procedures - Sets up patient care related equipment - such as hypothermia machines - oxygen delivery systems - portable and wall suction and assisting in monitoring proper functioning of equipment - Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to collect glucose values on veterans when needed and refer deviations to appropriate nursing staff or other health care provider - Organizing and obtaining routine supplies and equipment - Assisting with patient education including orienting patient/family to unit routines and policies - Working as a cooperative - courteous member of the interdisciplinary team - Safeguarding the patient's right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of a confidential nature - Utilizes principles of proper body mechanics and follows procedures for use of patient care equipment to prevent injury - Begin to orient lower-level nursing assistance Work Schedule: (12 hour shifts) 730 am-8 pm with weekend rotation Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Preferred Experience: 2-3 years experience within the Medical-Surgical - Long Term Care - and/or Mental Health setting Recruitment/Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May be authorized for highly qualified candidates
• 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: Ad Hoc Only Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 21129F