Summary

The Marion VA Health Care System is seeking a full-time Nursing Assistants to join the Community Living Center (CLC) within Nursing Service - located in Marion - IL

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
• English Language Proficiency: Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j
• Experience - 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 Nursing Assistant 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: 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 (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 Nursing Assistant 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 Nursing Assistants are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised
• Nursing Assistants at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist higher graded Nursing Assistants - 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 Nursing Assistants or other health care professionals
• In this role - the Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists higher graded Nursing Assistants - 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 Nursing Assistant in this role provides care under close supervision and refers issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded Nursing Assistants - or other health care professionals
• GS-5 Nursing Assistant (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 Nursing Assistants
• Nursing Assistants 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
• Nursing Assistants at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role Preferred Experience: at least 2 years of Nursing Assistant experience preferred
• 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: Position requires light to heavy lifting and carrying (15 pounds - 45 pounds and over) - pushing (2 hours) - reaching above shoulder - walking (5 hours) - standing (3 hours) - repeated bending (2 hours) - use of fingers and both hands required
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/50 and to 20/100 in the other Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 - Depth perception - and the ability to distinguish basic colors and shade of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted).

Duties

• The Nursing Assistant may perform these duties in a variety of health care settings such as outpatient - inpatient - home - or community living care - acute - subacute
• The Nursing Assistant will care patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions
• This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments - as this is a 24/7 hospital
• The incumbent may be required to rotate tours and duties during low/high census or complete administrative tasks established by the immediate supervisor
• Assigned Duties - Functions - And Responsibilities: Utilizes blood glucose monitoring equipment appropriately and with infection control and lab instruction to obtain Provides direct patient/resident care for veterans with complex care needs Make observations of subtle changes in patient/resident conditions Documents care given Responds to appropriately to subtle patients/residents changes by contacting appropriate nursing personnel Administers complete tracheostomy care - including suctioning Initiates basic life support (BLS) interventions when action is appropriate Participates in maintaining a clean - safe environment for the patient/resident Monitors and documents patient intake and output - reports deviations in a timely accurate manner to appropriate nursing personnel PLEASE NOTE: Basic Life Support (BLS) is required for all staff in direct patient care positions per policy - the supervisor may also direct BLS certification for other positions
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Primary day shift (7:30 a.m
• - 8:00 p.m.) with 12-hour tours to include weekend and holiday rotation as scheduled
• There are six (6) 12-hour shifts and one eight (8) hour shift per pay period
• Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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)Virtual: This is not a virtual position.