Nursing Assistant

Direct Care Nursing Assistants assist the care team in the coordination of care focused on the veteran transition through the continuum of care, veteran and family education, veteran self management, and supporting factors that impact customer satisfaction. Considers all characteristics of the individual age and life stages, state of health, race, culture, values, and previous experiences.

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.
• 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.
• English Language Proficiency: Nursing Assistant 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-03 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level) Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-04 Nursing Assistant
Experience: One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant 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 KSAs:
1. Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.
2. 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. 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.
4. Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals.

GS-05 Nursing Assistant (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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

Preferred Experience:
Minimum 1 year bedside nursing assistant experience preferred
Current CPR certification required

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/81 Part II Appendix G46 dated March 12, 2015.

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: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.

Responsibilities:

The Nursing Assistant is responsible for direct patient care to include observation, recording of activities of daily living, and reporting changes in the veterans condition, as well as assistant in the development and revision of the patient-driven holistic care plan for life. The Nursing Assistant requires a general review of their work by a Registered Nurse for appropriateness and conformity with policies, and procedures. The Nursing Assistant assigned in the patient care areas demonstrates active collaboration and communication with the Licensed Vocational Nurse, Registered Nurse, Veteran, Primary Care Provider, and other care team members. It is also imperative that the Nursing Assistant establish a positive rapport with the family/caregiver, internal and community-based services and disciplines involved in providing care to the veteran. The Nursing Assistant assigned in the outpatient care areas demonstrates active collaboration and communication with Teamlet (Veteran, Primary Care Provider, and Registered Nurse Case Manager) and larger team (family/caregiver, internal and community-based services and disciplines involved in providing care to the veteran).

Work Schedule: Varied hours and varied shifts
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
Note: This is a Bargaining Unit Position.

This vacancy will remain open until filled. The first cut-off date is 01/18/2024 . Additional applications will be referred as needed.

Salary : $37,293 - $54,482