Nursing Assistant-Acute Care

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 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. Physical 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).

02Grade Determinations

In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-3 (Entry Level) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignments. Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised. 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. 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 In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs below; 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.

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-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05.

03Physical Requirements

The Nursing Assistant (NA) 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 incumbent 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 incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent 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 complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. These physical requirements will be consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

04Preferred experience

Med/Surg and/or Long Term experience.

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.

Nursing Assistant - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Nursing-Assistant-Career-Flyer.pdfTotal Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Intermittent Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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).

Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS 613-25056-F, FS 613-25057-F, and FS 613-25058-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized