Summary

Under the direction of a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) or Registered Nurse (RN) the Nursing Assistant (NA) functions as a member of the nursing care team and assist in the care of residents receiving preventive - acute - sub-acute chronic - maintenance - and hospice care. The distinguishing factor is that resident assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements. The NA also assumes a peer education/mentorship.

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: 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
• 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. Grandfathering Provisions
• All NAs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the series and grade held that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• If an employee who was retained (grandfathered) under this provision leaves the occupation - the employee loses protected status of the grandfathering provision and must meet the full VA qualification standard basic requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation
• 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)
• Preferred Experience: One year or greater experience as an NA One year or greater experience in spinal cord injury or rehabilitation Grade Determinations: GS-3 NA (Entry Level) (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 NA (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 - 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 (c) 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 NA (Full Performance Level)
• (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 - (b) 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/
• 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
• Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• The NA must complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as annual TB screening or testing - as a condition of employment
• These physical requirements will be consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019

Duties

• The duties and responsibilities of the Nursing Assistant include but are not limited to the following: Delivers safe care to assigned patients - while developing technical competencies
• Safely and effectively uses patient care equipment
• Correctly and safely performs NA procedures
• Recognizes overt abnormal signs and symptoms and/or changes in patients' condition and responds appropriately
• Uses proper infection control policies in performing NA duties
• Ensures rooms are stocked with adequate nursing supplies (e.g. - gloves - gowns - etc.)
• Sets-up equipment such as oxygen tanks and applies cardiac monitor
• Demonstrates grade-appropriate and consistent knowledge base
• Recognizes when a patient has a problem and manages the problem safely - timely - and effectively - recognizing his/her scope of practice
• Takes the right action for the right reason
• Demonstrates compliance with infection control practices - such as hand washing and wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Demonstrates safe work practices
• Complies with safety rules and regulations for safe job performance and fire protection
• Practices safe body mechanics using mechanical devices - and/or requests help when needed in moving - lifting - or turning patients to prevent injury to patient - self or others
• Promptly reports all accidents to supervisor and notifies supervisor promptly of unsafe or unhealthy environmental situations/conditions
• Corrects safety hazards promptly
• Places broken equipment out of service immediately - tags it as such and follows-through for appropriate disposition of the broken equipment
• Conserves resources effectively by using supplies and equipment in a responsible manner
• Ensures staff follow appropriate standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to the equipment - devices - and work practices that impact or have the potential to impact the environment
• Complies with relevant environmental regulations - Executive Orders - and the Green Environmental Management System (GEMS) initiatives
• Recognizes life threatening situations and demonstrates emergency procedures for activating life safety alarms and immediate response for clinical and mental health emergencies
• Consistently demonstrates measures for self-safety when caring for high acuity - high risk mental health populations
• Work Schedule: Full-Time
• 0700-1930 & 1900-0730
• May change depending on the needs of the facility
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized