Summary

Nursing Assistants 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.

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
• 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. 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
• 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: Experience and Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-04: 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 - 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: 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
• GS-05: 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
• 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
• Continuation of Major Duties: Assessment and Communication: Is able to recognize patient care management difficulties or problems and brings their finding to the attention of the registered nurse
• Is able to communicate with patients and families in a calming - reassuring - and supportive manner
• Is able to provide emotional support to the dying patient and family
• Is able to recognize acute and subtle changes and consistency in patients' mental and physical condition and reports appropriately
• Observes a patient every 60 minutes while on the unit and more frequently as directed in accordance with facility policies
• Is able to recognize and reports signs of physical and emotional abuse of patient - family - and significant others
• Ability to use email effectively and appropriately as a valuable communication tool and allocate specific times during tour of duty to access in order to remain current and informed
• Interpersonal Relationships: Establishes therapeutic relationships with patients and all members of the Interdisciplinary Team
• Maintains courtesy during telephone and direct verbal interactions with patients - families - visitors - coworkers - and supervisors
• Has ability to elicit feelings - attitudes - and promote positive communication and socialization skills with patients
• Fire and Safety/Infection Control: Maintains a safe work environment and has knowledge of Safety and Infection Control Guidelines
• Utilizes proper body mechanics - encourages others to do so - and includes participates during unit In-service and Patient Care Conferences
• Responds promptly and effectively to Fire and Disaster Drills and alarms - actively assisting others as needed
• Has knowledge of the spread of infection by practicing and motivating others to adhere to Infection Control Guidelines to help prevent the spread of communicable diseases and resistant organisms
• Expectations: The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent may be exposed to infectious patients and/or contaminated materials that may require the wearing of various levels of personal protective equipment (PPE) for long periods of time
• Additionally - the incumbent may be required to care for patients on isolation precautions - active participation in screening potentially infectious patients - and actively participate in labor pools during pandemics/disaster response situations the incumbent may be required to work in modified environments of care based on safety requirements and the needs of the patient
• The incumbent should be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - and be able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• This position may require flexibility in schedule and assignments - as this is a 24/7 health care facility
• The incumbent should be poised and articulate in communication with people of varied educational levels and varied ethnic backgrounds
• Works cooperatively as a team member in all assignments
• Makes caring for the Veteran his/her priority while in the work setting and demonstrates high reliability/customer service principles in all aspects of work
• Self-motivated in the pursuit of meeting professional work standards.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major Duties: Completes all care assignments in a safe and timely manner
• Actively participates in unit level quality improvement activities and attends huddles - team meetings - and assigned committees
• Completes applicable documentation per policy to include but not limited to Intake/Output - daily weights - vital signs - pain score - hourly rounding - blood glucose testing with accurate comment for notification
• Uses the appropriate equipment for safe patient handling to include but not limited to: SCDs - bladder scanner - Bucks tractions - lift equipment - CPM - glucometer to include maintenance of quality controls as applicable
• Adheres to all reusable medical equipment (RME) standard operating procedures
• Participates in the equipment inventory process
• Implements the appropriate interventions to prevent/reduce hospital acquired pressure ulcers and patient falls under the direction of the RN/LVN
• 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 catheterization - colostomy care - skin care - simple dressing - application of braces and prosthetic devices
• May assist with surgical skin preparation to include hair clipping and holding limbs
• Participates in maintaining a clean - safe environment for the Veteran
• Maintains BLS certification and demonstrates proper procedure in initiating CPR
• Transports patients safely and professionally as assigned using hand off communication tool
• Transports medication - supplies - equipment - blood and specimens and any other transport needs as directed
• Monitors patients according to levels of observation i.e. - 1:1 veteran as well as veterans in a close observation status in accordance with facility polies
• Age differences - delivers nursing care that reflects the various phases of the life cycle from 18 to 85 years and over
• Performs other tasks requested by the RN/LVN or primary care provider
• Provides assistance with coordination of daily activities under the direction of RN/LVN
• Provides assistance to all levels of clinical and non-clinical staff when warranted and within level of competence and scope of practice as indicated within the unit specific competencies
• Emergency Intervention: Is able to apply knowledge of effective verbal interactions and preventative tactics - such as the use of the least restrictive environment - when confronted by aggressive - potentially assaultive - disruptive - confused and elopement risk patients
• Is able to utilize knowledge of physical - social - and emotional factors when assisting with patient care
• Is able to recognize and initiate life saving measures timely and appropriately in the absence of other members of the healthcare team
• Is able to participate in the planning and/or implementation of various codes and emergency management procedures
• Patient Education and Planned Activities: Participates in group meetings to help patients share feelings - improve socialization skills - and enhance their self-esteem
• Applies knowledge of human behavior and the various degrees of physical and mental impairment - is able to reinforce patient/family teaching provided by the registered nurse
• Assists the professional nurse in planning and implementation of patient educational or recreational activities
• Motivates patients to participate in learning and recreational activities to improve their quality of life
• Major Duties continues in Qualifications section below: Work Schedule: Night Shift: 7:30 PM - 8:00 am - 11:30 pm - 8:00 am - 3:30 pm - Midnight
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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) 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 #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized