Summary

The Nursing Assistant (NA) provides complex nursing care independently as a member of the nursing care team by assisting higher graded NAs - licensed nursing staff - and other members of the care team within the SAVAHCS. The NA is accountable for adhering to established policies - procedures - standards of care and standards of practice and for maintaining competencies consistence with role and responsibilities.

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
• Education or Training
• The candidate must have 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 as a nursing assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. English Language Proficiency
• Nursing Assistants appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• Grandfathering Provisions
• All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA as of March 12 - 2015 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 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements above
• GS-4 Experience/Education: In this role - the Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists higher graded Nursing Assistants - 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 Nursing Assistants - or other healthcare professionals
• 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 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 Experience: This is the full performance level for Nursing Assistants
• Nursing Assistants 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
• Nursing Assistants at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role
• 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 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 Nursing Assistants 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 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 NA 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 NA may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The NA 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 be willing to complete annual employee health requirements - such as annual TB screening or testing - as a condition of employment.

Duties

• The Nursing Assistant (NA) provides complex nursing care independently as a member of the nursing care team by assisting higher graded NAs - licensed nursing staff - and other members of the care team within the SAVAHCS
• The NA is accountable for adhering to established policies - procedures - standards of care and standards of practice and for maintaining competencies consistence with role and responsibilities
• The NA performs complex age specific nursing care for adult and geriatric patients with a variety of physical - mental - behavioral or psychological needs
• The NA continues to provide care under supervision of a RN - are learning to perform complex nursing skills - and will refer issues/ questions to a Clinical Nurse Manager (CNM)/supervisors - service RNs - LPNs - higher graded NAs - or other healthcare professionals
• Major Duties - Will appropriately utilize vital signs monitoring machine to collect and document appropriate vital signs reading for the assigned Veteran
• - Will appropriately utilize glucose monitoring machine to collect and document appropriate glucose readings for assigned Veteran
• - Will appropriately utilize the 12 LEAD EKG machine to collect and document appropriate 12 LEADs for the assigned Veteran
• - Maintains positive therapeutic relationships by displaying respect for human dignity with patient - families and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills
• - Utilizes observation skills for data collection - reporting and recording Veteran observations to appropriate Staff RNs - Licensed Independent Practitioners (LIPs) - or other clinicians
• - Performs aspects of nursing care to meet Veteran's needs for the following: a
• Monitoring Veterans for safety (one to one observation) as assigned
• b
• Transportation of Veterans to other needed care in other departments
• c
• Completion behavioral health of clinical reminders as assigned
• d
• Completion environment of care safety rounds as assigned
• e
• Performs intentional rounding as assigned
• - Utilizes principles of proper body mechanics while caring for Veterans
• - Reports Veteran observations to the RN and or other members of the treatment team
• - Is trained to set up Veteran care related equipment
• - Organizes and obtains routine supplies and equipment
• - Assist with orienting patient/family to department routines and policies
• - Work as a cooperative - courteous member of the interdisciplinary team
• - Safeguarding the patient's right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of a confidential nature
• - Uses proper behavioral health safety practices
• - Performs other duties as assigned given proper training
• - Utilizes equipment and supplies according to procedures
• Work Schedule: Night Shift Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized