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. Grade Requirement GS-5 NA (Full Performance Level).

02Experience

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. 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. Assignment. This is the full performance level for NAs.

NAs 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.

NAs at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role. Grandfathering Provisions. All NAs employed in VHA on the effective date oft his qualification standard 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 re-entry to the occupation. 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. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05.

03Physical Requirements

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

04Preferred Experience

Two years of inpatient or long-term care experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The nursing assistant will develop skills in order to participate in assessing, implementing, and evaluating nursing care. Responsibilities will be completed under close supervision at all times as well as with appropriate training. Identifies the needs of patients and performs a range of personal nursing care duties which include feeding, bathing, oral hygiene, nail care, hair care, and related personal hygiene duties. Application and care of external catheter. Provides post-mortem care.

Utilizes proper body mechanics to move, lift and transfer patients. Maintains clean and neat environment for patients including cleaning of patient's room after bed bath and after discharge when necessary, keeping utility rooms, supply rooms, nurse servers, coffee rooms, bathrooms, and nutrition kitchens in order. Answers patient's calls expediently. Assists and/or escorts selected patients by minibus, car, and ambulance to and from hospital, Community Living Centers, etc. Assists patients in use of ADL devices.

Provides indwelling catheter care according to procedure. Assists with orientation of new patients to the unit and inspects their personal belonging in accordance with Medical Center Memorandum as directed by the professional nurse. Performs enteral tube feedings (gastrostomy tube and naso-gastric tube feedings.) Gives individual care and attention to critically ill, emotionally unstable, and patients with multiple complex problems.

Demonstrates support of individual patient choices, dignity, autonomy, and preferred routines. (for example, allows patient to choose preferred bathing time, bedtime) Encourages patients to increase their physical and emotional independence by giving, directing, instructing, and supervising them in their care. Participates in developing the plan of care for individual patients during team conferences. Offers emotional support to the dying patient and/or family members.

Performs a variety of supporting diagnostic duties which includes taking, recording, and reporting to the team leader deviation in vital signs, collecting, labeling, and taking specimens to the Laboratory. Initiates CPR and/or Heimlich maneuver when such life-saving techniques are indicated. Observes patients receiving IV solutions for obvious infiltration of solution and/or low solution level in bottle and discontinues IVs at the direction of the professional nurse.

Assembles oxygen equipment, identifies amount of oxygen in cylinders when appropriate, and provides continuity of oxygen therapy as directed by the professional nurse. Uses principles of aseptic techniques to apply and remove sterile dressings as directed by the professional nurse. Assists with orientation of new patients and staff to the unit. Demonstrates and maintains patient privacy, courteous, prompt, and helpful interactions in personal and telephone encounters with patients, visitors, and staff.

Upon certification, performs 12-lead EKGs. Work Schedule: Intermittent Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement # FS 688-25131-F Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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).