Nursing Assistant

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.

01Basic 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: Six months of general experience.

Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a Nursing Assistant; OR One year of education above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation; OR Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related training course of study or program of less than one year as a Nursing Assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3 only.

02Physical Requirements

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. 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. 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).

03Grade Determinations

GS-3: None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4: To qualify at the GS-4 level you must meet the experience or education requirements and the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Experience: One (1) year of experience as a Nursing Assistant or 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, 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. NOTE: Transcript required if claiming education.

AND 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 residents' 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: To qualify at the GS-5 level you must meet the experience or education requirements and the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Experience: One (1) year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are directly related to the specific assignment.

Specialized experience includes but is not limited to functioning as a member of the nursing care team and assisting licensed nursing staff and other members of the care team in the full range of nursing care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home, or community living care or other patients/residents who are receiving preventative, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care.

OR Education: Successful completion of 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. NOTE: Transcript required if claiming education.

AND 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.

04Preferred Experience

Long Term Care and Restorative 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.

05Physical Requirements

Physical qualifications require the ability to stand, walk, bend, and move freely. Must be able to utilize good body mechanics in lifting or restraining patients. Must have good hearing, eyesight, and physical dexterity. Must be clean and neat in appearance. Must be emotionally stable and cooperative.

Duties include, but are not limited to: Ensures residents receive the necessary restorative care and services to attain or maintain the highest practical physical, mental, and psychosocial well- being in accordance with the comprehensive assessment and person-centered care plan. Applies person-centered care whereby the treatment plan and care reflect the specific needs of the resident and decisions are driven by the wishes, preferences, and lifelong habits of the resident.

Maintains competency to perform restorative care modalities. Observes for changes in resident's condition, takes necessary actions and reports/documents actions taken as per policy and procedures. Uses appropriate mobility, balance and strengthening exercises, as well as incorporating these into activities of daily living. Utilizes task segmentation in assisting residents to complete ADL's and appropriate use of assistive and adaptive equipment.

Ensures residents use of proper shoes, eyeglasses and hearing aid if required by resident. Maintains resident's personal hygiene, including planning the task and gathering supplies, combing and/or styling hair, washing face and hands, brushing teeth, shaving, or applying make-up, oral hygiene, self-manicure (safety awareness with nail care), and/or application of deodorant or powder.

Improves or maintains the resident's self-performance donning and doffing prosthesis, caring for the prosthesis, and providing appropriate hygiene at the site where the prosthesis attaches to the body. Work Schedule: Sunday through Saturday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm, every other weekend off. Tour will be determined at the time of selection. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 93018A, 93019A, 93020A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized