Nursing Assistant - Community Living Center

Summary

Entry Level Nursing Assistant (GS-3 & GS-4) will be provided opportunities to develop basic nursing skills in order to provide care to patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions in a health care setting. Full performance Nursing Assistants (GS-5) function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventive, acute, subacute chronic, maintenance, and hospice care.

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Duties

Community Living Center's (CLC) mission is to restore each Veteran to his or her highest level of well-being. It is also intended to prevent declines in health and to provide comfort at the end of life. Veterans can receive different levels of care, either short or long term, and care includes help with activities of daily living and skilled nursing and medical care.

CLINICAL PRACTICE:

• 1. All duties performed will be completed under close supervision with appropriate training and competencies for assigned task.
• 2. Will learn to appropriately utilize glucose monitoring machine to collect and document appropriate glucose readings for assigned veteran. Maintains a positive therapeutic relationship by displaying respect for human dignity with patient, families and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills.
• 3. Begins to utilize observation skills for data collection, reporting and recording patient/resident observations. The NA is technical in performing, reporting, and recording assigned nursing care, including, but not limited to:
• 3.1. Administers oxygen therapy
• 3.2. Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.
• 3.3. Ability to properly use equipment, materials and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures including, but not limited to bladder scan, continuous passive motion device, and specimen collection.
• 3.4. Assists with minor procedures, including obtaining and arranging necessary equipment, positioning patient, ensuring comfort and privacy.
• 3.5. Data collection and documentation intervention of patient visit in applicable nursing note.
• 3.6. Based on the patient's goals, reinforces patient and family health education, to include self-management, prevention and wellness.
• 3.7. Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.
• 3.8. Measures, records vital signs and enters them in CPRS. Reports all significant deviations to the LVN, RN and/ or other health care provider immediately.
• 3.9. Identifies urgent or emergent patient care situations, seeks assistance and intervenes as directed when appropriate.

COMMUNICATION:

• 1. Demonstrates basic skill in identifying the individual's level of understanding and teaching the client and/or significant other about the basic concepts to his/her disease process, utilizing the standards of care and documenting client's response.
• 2. Provides verbal and/or written information in a timely manner that is accurate, using clear and precise communication methods to ensure that customers understand.
• 3. Makes observations and documents care and the patient's response. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or medical provider of changes in the patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention.
• 4. Basic knowledge in the use of various computer packages to enter and retrieve electronic data, i.e., CPRS, VISTA, mailman, leave requests, and patient information (progress notes, patient education, etc.).
• 5. Demonstrates knowledge of human behavior, motivations, and reactions to situations and uses this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family and other staff members. Demonstrates courteous, compassionate, caring, and respectful behavior when interacting with all others.
• 6. Displays an attitude of caring and courtesy toward all veterans and their families by treating them as customers, greeting them with a smile, referring to them by name, responding quickly to their needs, maintaining confidentiality, and treating them always with dignity and respect.
• 7. Demonstrates appropriate telephone courtesy by identifying self and service or work section when answering the phone, responding to the caller in a polite and courteous manner.
• 8. Safeguards patient privacy and maintains confidentiality of all electronic and printed patient information according to HIPAA guidelines, the Privacy Act, and as stated in the Medical Center Memo on ADP Security. Maintains confidentiality of assigned access code and by exiting (logging out) from the ADP system when leaving terminal. Does not share security codes and does not allow others to use the computer under own security codes. Maintains patient confidentiality by not discussing patient information except when necessary to authorized staff only in order to meet health care needs. Ensures application of institutional policy to protect information from unauthorized release, loss, alteration, or deletion.
  
  

Work Schedule: Evening shift 3:30pm - Midnight, rotating weekends/holidays

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized



Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
  
  

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.
• Experience, 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 meeting full the experience requirements for GS-3.
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• 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.
• Grandfathering Provisions. All Nursing Assistants 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 reentry to the occupation.
  
  

Grade Determinations:

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
• In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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 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 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 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.
  
  

Preferred Experience:

Evident of Lean Belt training or experience

Professional Governance participation

Certified Nursing Assistant

Current BLS certification



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-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05.



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 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.

Education



Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.



NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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