The primary purpose of this position is to perform a wide range of patient care, diagnostic services, treatment, monitoring activities of daily living and charting for the unit. Performs duties in such a way as to encourage patient efforts towards goals for recovery and maintains a safe and therapeutic environment while promoting a sense of worth and dignity for the patient. Provides personal nursing care to patients, and serves as an active, participating member of the health care team. 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 (NA's) must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Education or Training: Must meet one of the following requirements. One year above high school with courses related to the NA occupation. OR 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. Grade Requirements: GS-3 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 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 NAs are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised. NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist higher graded NAs, 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 NAs or other healthcare professionals. In this role, the Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists higher graded NAs, 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 NAs, or other healthcare professionals. GS-5 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. 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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 NAs. NAs 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. NAs at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/81, PART II, APPENDIX G46 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS3 to GS5. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction. This position involves considerable standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting and turning. It requires repositioning patients and assisting with transferring patients to wheelchairs/stretchers. Mechanical devices when available are required to be used for heavy or difficult to lift patients. The work may involve pushing or lifting weight in excess of 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs. The position requires visual and auditory acuity at a level to provide safe and effective nursing care. The positions requires the nurse to work for periods of time with arms above shoulder level or with the neck in a fully flexed or extended position and the ability to physically control or protect him/herself from physically abusive patients. ["This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 29,2023. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be May 30 2023. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. Determines technical factors, sets controls and operates equipment, instruments and monitors. Assists patients with setting up oxygen. Uses equipment properly such as vital sign machines, EKG, bladder scan, AED etc. Uses phones, patient lift equipment, and camera monitoring system/call system/panic alarm system. Reports equipment malfunction to senior staff and puts in a work order when appropriate. Recognizes abnormalities and brings them to the attention of the RN. Notifies RN of results and ensures original results are made part of the permanent record. Maintain administrative and clinical files. Orders and maintains supplies for the unit to include specialized supplies pertaining to instruments used in the unit. Properly stores and/or cleans equipment when testing is completed or patient is discharged. Maintains a therapeutic and safe ward milieu by identifying, reporting and eliminating potential hazards. Completes unit rounds and patient safety checks. Completes hazardous items checks of unit, patients, and their belongings. Performs one-to-one observations of patients. Conducts monitoring of unit and patients. Identifies patient at risk for suicide/self-harm, falls, disruptive behavior etc. Places patients in seclusion and/or restraints as directed, to ensure the safety of patient and/or staff. Takes emergency actions in all situations, ex: cardio-pulmonary arrests, Disruptive Behavior incidents, fires, disasters etc. Receives and directs patients, answers routine inquiries and makes referrals. Assists patients in contacting volunteer or social services as needed. Obtains release forms. Assists patients, visitors and others requesting information, guidance or referral for special assistance. Participates in the admission of patients by obtaining information, orienting patients to the unit and treatment team, obtaining vital signs and weight and checking patients and their belongings for hazardous items. Assists physicians and nurses in the care and treatment of clients receiving medical care. Observes, documents, and reports to the professional nurse changes in patient behavior, attitude, physical complaints, appearance, vital signs and/or changes in the patients' condition that may be related to medications, sensory distortions or medical conditions. Reports reactions to/responses to treatment. Performs direct patient support work including personal patient care. Delivers meals and /or snacks to patients and assists as needed. Encourages independence in patients by instructing, guiding and assisting patients as needed in activities of daily living. Accompanies/escorts patients on activities and to appointments, treatments etc. in other areas of the hospital or off hospital grounds. Performs a range of diagnostic support duties such as taking, recording and reporting to RN deviations in vital signs/withdrawal symptoms, collecting and labeling specimens for the laboratory. Makes gross visual observations and identifies subtle changes regarding patients' condition. Performs standard diagnostic tests or procedures (in accordance with Nursing Procedure grid) such as removing peripheral IVs, electrocardiograms, bladder scan, venipuncture for collection of blood specimen, finger-sticks for glucose determination. Assists patients with adjusting simple supportive equipment. Assists the professional nurse and medical staff with specialized procedures: biopsy, lumbar puncture, electroconvulsive therapy etc. Performs more extensive, complex procedures, ex: dressing changes, insertion of foley catheter. Receives requests or instructions for procedures. Interprets requests or instructions from medical or health care personnel. Receives assignments that require application of standard procedures in accordance with Nursing Procedure Grid. Employee understands and carries out the request made by the health care professional or seeks assistance for uncommon, unique, or new procedures. Work Schedule: Rotating shifts to include nights, weekends and holidays Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 53340-0,53341-0, 53342-0 Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
