Summary

Nursing Assistants function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventative - acute - sub-acute chronic - maintenance - and hospice care. These duties may be performed in a variety of health care settings such as outpatient - inpatient - home - or Community Living Center (CLC) - acute and sub-acute.

Qualifications

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
• 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
• (1) Six months of general experience
• Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA
• OR - (2) One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation
• OR - (3) 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. OR - (4) 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).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 Nursing Assistant Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4 Nursing Assistant Experience
• One (1) 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 two (2) years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care - healthcare 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 Nursing Assistant Experience
• One (1) 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 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
• 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: This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nursing assistants such as direct patient care - and potentially long periods of walking - standing - sitting - moderate lifting - repeated bending - or kneeling
• See VA Handbook 5019 and local NA physical standards
• Examples may include but are not limited to: Significant amounts of time standing assisting assigned patients Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols.

Duties

• Operates Equipment and Determines Technical FactorsDetermines technical factors - sets controls - and operates equipment - instruments - and monitors
• Assists patients with setting up oxygen - CPAP etc
• 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 Safe Environment/Receives/Directs Patients 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 as indicated in facility SOP's - Memorandums - or Policies
• 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: cardiopulmonary 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
• Performs Diagnostic Tests and Procedures Performs a range of diagnostic support duties such as taking - recording - and reporting to RN deviations in vital signs/withdrawal symptoms and recording them - collecting and labeling specimens for the laboratory
• Makes gross visual observations and identifies subtle changes regarding patients' condition
• Uses hot/cold packs as ordered
• Performs standard diagnostic tests or procedures (in accordance with Nursing Procedure grid) such as removing peripheral IVs - electrocardiograms - bladder scan - fingerstick 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 - ostomy care
• 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 compressed Compressed/Flexible: Available Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• 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) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 60191-A
• 60192-A
• 60193-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized