A retention incentive of 10% of base salary has been authorized for this position. Incentive will be effective 90 days after hire. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education or Training: One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation. Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English. Preferred Experience: 2-3 years Nursing Assistant experience.Applicants with the following certifications from American Heart Association (AHA) or Military Training Network (MTN) are highly preferred: Basic Life Support (BLS) and/or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). (AHA certification preferred.)The selected employee will be required to receive these certifications prior to assuming clinical responsibilities and ensure current certifications after employment is maintained. Grade Determinations: GS-03 NA (Entry Level)(a) Experience, Education and Certification. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-04 NA (a) Experience. One year of specialized experience as a CNA 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, (b) 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 (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents. 2. Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner. 3. 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. 4. Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals. GS-5 NA (Full Performance Level) (a) 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 in subparagraph (c) below; OR, (b) 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 c)Demonstrated KSAs. 1. 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. 2. Ability to communicate orally with patients/residents, families, interdisciplinary team and other personnel. This includes serving as a preceptor to new CNAs by assisting with the coordination of their orientation and overseeing/assessing their practical experience while in a clinical setting. 3. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/71, Part II, Appendix G46, NURSING ASSISTANT QUALIFICATION STANDARD. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. 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. Physical Requirements: This 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, pushing and reaching over head. 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. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements; such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. Incumbent may be exposed, on a short-term basis to fumes, dust and other debris. This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments, as this is a 24/7 hospital and is an essential function of the position. Some positions require rotation of tours or indefinite work on non-administrative tours as established by the immediate supervisor. ["The incumbent serves as a Nursing Assistant in one of service areas listed below:The Critical Care Units (MICU, SICU, PCU) manage acutely ill patients who may require ventilatory assistance and hemodynamic monitoring and/or continuous monitor of patient's cardiovascular status.The Medical/Surgical Units (8W, 8E, 5W) includes cardiac monitoring availability by telemetry; special services particular to this unit include care of patients with the following diagnoses: COPD, Complications of Diabetes, Neurological Disorders, Renal Hemodialysis, Cardiac Disorders, and Cancer - Hospice/Palliative/Chemotherapy administration and surgical sub-specialties: General Surgery, Vascular/Thoracic Surgery, Orthopedics, Urology, ENT, and Neurosurgery. Significant subgroups of patients are under the care of Plastic Surgery, Ophthalmology, and Oral Surgery Special services particular to this unit include care of patients with the following diagnoses: Post-operative management, Bladder irrigations, CPM machines, PCAs, and Chest tubes.The Nursing Assistant supports the nursing staff/providers with care of patients. The individual plans and carries out patient assignments independently under general supervision of the RN, provider or Nurse Manager. Duties include, but are not limited to: Performs temperature, blood pressure, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation measurements. Performs 12 lead EKG's Performs phlebotomy according to procedure in timely manner in accordance with hospital standards. Labels specimens according to hospital standards and using dual identifiers. Properly uses glucometer, vital signs equipment and EKG machine. Follows OSHA guidelines for proper handling of all specimens. Ensures patient safety by following appropriate safety measures/ and using correct equipment to prevent patient and /or employee injury, i.e.: overhead lifts, wheelchair lifts, hover mat during transfer of patients. Make rounds throughout the service area and addresses needs of the patient within nursing assistance scope of practice. Provides direct personal and hygienic to all categories of patients including those in strict isolation. Performs patient care procedures such as collection of specimens, applying simply dressings, catheter changes, EKG, splints. Maintains adequate stock of supplies. Works closely with TSS to ensure par level for supplies is adequate. Escorts patients to and from radiology, CT, inpatient units when patient is not on telemetry monitor. Performs other duties as assigned by RN, Team Leader and/or Nurse Manager. Work Schedule: various tours to be determined by individual supervisor\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Nursing Assistant/PD000000Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
