Summary

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information - refer to Required Documents below. This service line cares for patients admitted to an inpatient medical-surgical inpatient hospital unit at VA Puget Sound. The Nursing Assistant is a member of the Acute Care Team - providing assistance to the providers - nursing leadership team - registered nurses - and other team members to deliver quality care to Veterans while they are admitted to the hospital.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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:

• Citizenship
• 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
• 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 or Education or Training
• (1) Six months of general experience
• Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA
• OR (2) One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation
• OR (3) 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 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 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 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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. 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: Heavy lifting - straight pulling
• pushing
• reaching above shoulder
• use of fingers
• both hands required
• walking
• standing
• repeated bending
• ability to distinguish colors
• hearing (aid permitted)
• visual acuity
• mental and emotional stability.

Duties

• Duties listed below are for GS-5 - GS-3 and GS-4 will differ in oversight and complexity
• Participates in activity and actions to improve the quality of care for veteran patients to include fall and pressure sore prevention
• that includes learning to implement the organization's prevention guidelines on falls and pressure sores - and the veteran's specific plan of care Ensures the Veteran is wearing the correct identification bracelet Supervises patients and can mentor other NAs in personal hygiene - rest and eating
• Feeds and bathes patients who require assistance
• Helps patients in and out of bed - and with mobile devices
• Contributes to a safe - clean - clutter-free - and therapeutic environment for patients and staff
• Follows Medical Center and Nursing Service policies and procedures
• Provides care to patients in isolation and patients on chemotherapy precautions
• Maintains privacy of patient and staff Performs and can mentor other NAs in a variety of general nursing duties including measurement and recording of vital signs - EKGs - weight - height - intake and output - post-mortem care - simple treatments such as hot and cold packs - changes clean or sterile dressings - applies external catheters - and gives catheter care Maintains oxygen therapy as directed by the RN - assignment - or written care plan - to include management and operation of oxygen tanks
• Performs assistive cough and deep breathing exercises Performs and/or instructs patients in learning range of motion exercise - turning and positioning - ambulation - and other routine care procedures Prepares patients for tests - examinations - treatments and for surgery
• Collect's specimens such as urine - sputum and stool
• Labels specimens for laboratory examinations
• Performs blood glucose tests as appropriate
• Initiates Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation in accordance with established Medical Center policy and initiates other emergency procedures as necessary - including fire and disaster
• Demonstrates safe body mechanics Observes and reports patient's physical and mental status - reporting unusual changes to the RN
• Performs other assignments designated by the nurse in charge that are essential to the care of patients and appropriate to his/her level of training Safe handling practices working with patients who receive Hazardous Medications and the disposal of bodily fluids contaminated with Hazardous Medications Knowledge and Skill of medical terminology and observational skills sufficient to report the patient's physical and emotional reactions to care
• Knowledge and skill sufficient to use standardized nursing principles - procedures - equipment - and supplies for providing nursing care to assigned patients Skills sufficient to assist in the teaching of patients in activities of daily living Knowledge of basic human body structure - function - diseases - and skill sufficient to care for patients appropriate to his/her level Knowledge of developmental needs of the young adult to the geriatric age category Knowledge of aseptic techniques and skill in performing procedures requiring same Demonstrates knowledge of proper body mechanics and skill in patient transfer procedures and other items requiring resident transfer or movement Knowledge of special dietary needs Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Night Shift: 7:30pm-8:00am with one 11:30pm-8:00am shift per pay period - variable tour of duty - rotating days - weekends and holidays - occasional floating to other shifts
• Compressed: Available 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 [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 #: 00000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized