Nursing Assistant-Acute Care

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. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Experience, Education or Training. You must meet one of the following to meet the basic requirements for a Nursing Assistant (NA): Six (6) 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.

02Grade Determinations

In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade. GS-03 - None beyond the basic requirements. NAs at this grade NAs are considered entry-level and are closely supervised.

GS-04 - To qualify at the GS-4 level you must meet the following: 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.

AND, in addition you must demonstrate the following 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-05 - To qualify at the GS-5 level you must meet the following: 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.

AND, in addition you must demonstrate the following 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.

03Preferred Experience

Urgent care, Emergency Department or Acute Care. 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.

04Physical Requirements

This position may include a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nursing personnel such as direct patient care, and potentially long periods of walking, standing, sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending, or kneeling. Examples may include: Significant amounts of time standing assisting Veterans. Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols.

Duties include but not limited to: Performs a variety of routine diagnostic tests such as glucometer test for blood glucose level, EKG's, bladder scanning, vital sign monitoring, obtaining height and weight, collection of urine samples, sputum, and stool. Records basic data and patient responses and reports deviations from the normal to the Nurse.

Performs a complete range of patient care related to urinary and bowel elimination, feeding, oral intake, oxygenation, and other duties as assigned by the RN after competency has been demonstrated. Performs treatments such as foot soaks, and application of non-prescribed topical lotions. Collects and correctly labels specimens (urine, stool, and sputum) and delivers specimens to the laboratory section of the facility. Measures and records intake and output.

Reports the condition of wounds, skin and any reaction to or results of treatment. Enters specific information into the patients/residents Electronic Health Record (EHR). Performs a wide variety of duties aimed at increasing the comfort and spirit of the Veteran. Takes care of Veterans routine care and comfort needs for psycho/social/spiritual well being, personal hygiene, physical comfort, nutrition, elimination, prevention of skin breakdown, rehabilitation, safety, etc.

Maintains a clean, safe environment of care that is conducive to Veterans privacy and rehabilitation. Reinforces Veterans and family members of the necessity to continue the procedures for proper health care. Assists with specific health teaching, such as reminding diabetic Veterans of the importance of skincare and following a diet, reinforcing the importance of diet and exercise for Veterans with cardiac issues, etc.

Encourages Veterans in self care activities withing their individual capacities as outline in their care plan. Assists in orienting Veterans to the outpatient and/or inpatient hospital environment. Transports Veterans after discharge or to activities as needed. Follows established SOP's and checklists in the use, set up, pre cleaning, storage, reprocessing, and maintenance of all Reusable Medical Devices as applicable.

Demonstrates ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact with courtesy and respect offering supportive, compassionate professional interpersonal relationship skills with Veterans, family members, professional and support personnel involved in the delivery of Veteran Care incorporating acceptable, established customer service standards into practice (ICARE). Acknowledges Veteran concerns by listening and offering assistance withing their scope of practice.

Demonstrates the ability to recognize inappropriate interactions and/or reports situations through administrative channels via timely and accurate verbal and/or written communication. Demonstrates respect for the individual Veteran, protecting their rights, privacy, confidentiality, and dignity in all aspects of care delivery. Meets and maintains education requirements for Information Security and Patient Privacy. Adheres to Infection Control, Universal Precautions.

Responds to breakage /malfunction or loss of equipment, safety hazards, and supply deficiencies, promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for correction action. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional 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) 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) Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 0800-1630. Flexible to meet needs of the organization.

Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 81211F Recruitment/Relocation incentive: May be authorized for highly qualified individuals. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.