Summary

The Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventive - acute - sub-acute chronic - maintenance and hospice care. 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. The Nursing Assistant 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: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Education or Training
• One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation
• Completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a Nursing Assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. Physical Requirements
• Heavy lifting (45 lbs
• and over)
• Heavy carrying (45 lbs
• and over)
• Straight pulling (up to 8 hours)
• Pushing (up to 8 hours)
• Reaching above shoulders
• Use of fingers
• both hands required
• walking (up to 8 hours)
• standing (up to 8 hours)
• kneeling (2 to 3 hours)
• repeated bending (up to 8 hours)
• both legs required
• hearing (aid permitted)
• English Language Proficiency: 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 No specialized experience beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4 One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant or experience in another medical field - 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 - 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
• In addition to the above - applicant must demonstrate the following
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patient/residents
• Ability to observe patients/residents 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 patient / residents - their families and other health professionals
• GS-5 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 assignments -OR- 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
• In addition the above - applicant must demonstrate the following
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: Ability to assist in the full range of nursing care to patient/resident 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 nursing assistants 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
• Preferred Experience: 2-5 years of Med-Surgical Experience - long term care
• Familiar with routine procedures such as vital signs - patient transfers and post operative care
• Strong communication skills
• 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-3. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5. Physical Requirements: To perform in a fully successful manner - the individual must have the physical ability to perform job-related duties which require lifting - standing - bending - transferring - stooping - stretching - walking - pushing - or pulling without assistance from another patient care provider or significant other
• Utilizes Safe Patient handling equipment
• The incumbent will be exposed to fluoroscopy and must be able to wear lead protective equipment for extended periods of time
• A health examination must be successfully completed prior to this assignment and periodically thereafter as required by the Employee Health Clinic policy
• There will be intermittent exposure to blood and body fluids.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional - Maintains a positive therapeutic relationship by displaying respect for human dignity with patient - families and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills
• - Begins to utilize observation skills for data collection - reporting and recording patient/resident observations
• - Learning to performs aspects of nursing care to meet patient's needs for the following under close supervision and with direction/guidance from a preceptor.: a
• Personal Hygiene b
• Physical comfort c
• Activity - Exercise - Rest d
• Nutrition e
• Elimination f
• Prevention of Skin Breakdown g
• Rehabilitative Aspects of Care - Beginning to engage in-group activities such as off-station trips - reality orientation - current events and other therapeutic groups
• - Learning to utilize principles of proper body mechanics while caring for patients
• - Reports patient observations to the RN and or other members of the treatment team
• - Is trained to set up patient care related equipment - Organizes and obtains routine supplies and equipment
• - Assist with orienting patient/family to unit routines and policies
• - Work as a cooperative - courteous member of the interdisciplinary team
• - Safeguarding the patient's right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of a confidential nature
• - Uses proper safety practices
• - Learning to utilize equipment and supplies according to procedures
• - Learning to utilize principles of proper body mechanics and follows procedures for use of patient care equipment to prevent injury to self or others in all settings such as utilization of lifting equipment
• - Other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: 7:30 a.m
• - 8:00p.m
• Monday - Friday - alternating weekends and holidays
• Pay Schedule: V1MG and 001M Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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 #: 50822-F - 50923-F - 50824-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized