Northern Arizona VA Health Care System is looking for a Nursing Assistant to join the Acute Care team!
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
Must be proficient in spoken and written English 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. 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
Grade Determinations.GS-3 NA (Entry Level): Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements
GS-4 NA: 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
GS-5 NA (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 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 Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (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
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
References: VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G46 - Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard - dated May 22 - 2024
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 of the position include - but are not limited to: Utilizing glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for veterans refers deviation to appropriate health care staff
Providing direct care for complex veterans
Making observations of subtle changes in resident's condition - i.e
and takes action accordingly within the NA's assigned role
Documents care given - observations and responses on appropriate tools or forms
Responds appropriately to subtle patient changes by contacting the appropriate nursing personal Administers complete tracheostomy care - including suctioning
Monitor and documents patient intake and output reports deviations timely and accurately Work Schedule: This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments - as this is a 24/7 hospital
Some positions require rotation of tours or indefinite work on non-administrative tours as established by the immediate supervisor
Not all duties may be listed - so other duties may be assigned
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
