Summary

This Nursing Assistant positions in the Acute Care unit and is located at the Altoona - PA VAMC.

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
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-3 Nursing Assistant(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(a)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 - (b)Education
• Successful completion of 2 years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care - healthcare 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: i Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents
• ii Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner
• iii 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
• iv Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents - their families and other health professionals
• GS-5 Nursing Assistant(a) 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 (c) Demonstrated KSAs
• i 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
• ii 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
• iii 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/
• Physical Requirements: VA Regulations - specifically VA Handbook 5019 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

Duties

• Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings and refers deviation to appropriate health care staff
• Provides direct care to complex patients - which includes baths - personal hygiene - nutrition/feeding - elimination - intake and output - as appropriate - provides fresh water to patients twice a shift
• Makes observations of subtle changes in patient's/resident's condition - i.e. - behavior shifts - mood - skin coloring - appetite - etc. - and acts accordingly within the NA's assigned role
• Documents care given - observations - and responses on appropriate tools or forms
• Responds appropriately to subtle patient/resident changes by contacting the appropriate nursing personnel
• Monitors and documents patient/resident intake and output - reports deviations timely and accurately
• Performs assigned clinical procedures such as the application of external urinary devices - colostomy bags - unsterile soaks and compresses - hot and cold compresses - ace bandages - elastic hose - slings - binders - bladder scanning - and urine collection
• As directed - provides assistance with transporting patients/residents that are not critically ill to tests - procedures - and appointments
• Recognizes the patient's/resident's autonomy and promotes independence by means of respect - limit setting - and individualized treatment
• Provides for the safety and comfort of the patient/resident with appropriate and safe application of safety and comfort devices - as ordered such as wheelchairs - mechanical lifts - stretchers - and transfer devices
• Utilizes lift equipment
• Verbally provides patient/resident information to the treatment team for inclusion in the patient's/resident's plan of care - participates in treatment team meetings for resident care planning Performs other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Evenings with Rotation including holidays/weekends Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Telework: Not available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized