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

Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. Experience or 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 NA; OR, One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR, 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.

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.

02Grade Determinations

GS-3 Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 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 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 (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 listed 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.

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.

03Preferred Experience

ER experience is preferred, but not required. The selecting official will consider all minimally qualified applicants.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Nursing Assistant (NA) is learning to perform basic nursing duties under close supervision in a variety of health care settings such as outpatient, inpatient, home or community living care, acute, sub-acute. The NA will care for patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions.Other duties include, but are not limited to: Will learn to appropriately utilize glucose monitoring machine to collect and document appropriate glucose readings for assigned Veterans.

Maintains a positive therapeutic relationship by displaying respect for human dignity with patients, families and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills. Utilizes observation skills for data collection, reporting and recording patient/resident observations.

Performs aspects of nursing care to meet patient's needs for the following under close supervision and with direction/guidance from a preceptor: Personal Hygiene, Physical comfort, Activity, Exercise, Rest, Nutrition, Elimination, Prevention of Skin Breakdown, Rehabilitative Aspects of Care Safely and accurately perform personal care skills, including measuring and recording vital signs to include temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure and measuring of height and weight.

Measures and records intake and output of Veteran, feeding techniques, non-sterile specimen collection, transfer, positioning, and turning techniques. Self-directed in seeking out RN, Lead Nurse, or Change Nurse to report Veteran-related information. Collects Veteran data, participates in care planning, performs approved skills per order or by protocol in accordance with care planning. Promotes independence of Veteran by means of respect, limit setting, and individualized treatment.

Initiate basic life support and promptly recognize/respond to emergent situations. Monitor Veterans per levels of observation, acuity levels and assignment sheet. Offers supportive nursing care to critically or terminally ill Veterans. Provides emotional support to Veteran and/or family and significant other. Receptive to constructive feedback and self-directed in improving performance and interpersonal skills to enhance professional development.

Participates in unit based educational activities and continuing education opportunities to increase clinical and professional knowledge. Completes orientation, unit-based services, and mandatory educational activities in a self-directed manner by established timeframes. Identifies own deficits in skills and knowledge and acts to correct performance. Attend daily huddle and team meetings as per area. Work Schedule: 730pm-8:00am shift.

Alternating schedule weekend and holidays 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) Functional Statement: PD55018A, PD55019A, and PD55020A