The Northport VA Medical Center is currently recruiting for one Nursing Assistant position within our Nursing Service. Preferred Experience: Previous Nursing Assistant Experience Basic Requirements: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens Education or Training: One year above high school with courses related to the NA 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. IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education Physical Requirements: All applicants must meet physical requirements for this position. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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. Creditable Experience: Knowledge of Current Practice: To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the current practice. Quality of Experience: To be creditable, NA experience must be documented on the application or resume and verified in an employment reference, or through other independent means. Part-Time Experience: Part-time experience as a NA is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a NA employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1/2-time basis, would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service. 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). Grade Determinations: GS-3 (Entry Level) 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: 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. 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 IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education; AND Demonstrated KSAs: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G46 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. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 ["The following are functions/ duties that are performed; other functions/duties may be assigned as applicable to meet Veteran needs with appropriate training/monitoring: Will be assigned to Veterans requiring nursing care in all areas where nursing is provided. Ensures all areas of the unit are clean and neat. Performs preventative, rehabilitative, restorative nursing procedures: e.g active and/or passive range of motion exercises (ROM) to assist and motivate the Veteran to achieve maximum independence in activities of daily living. Taking and recording vital signs: blood pressure, temperature (oral and rectal), pulse, respiration, height and weight. Assists the nurse or physician with diagnostic and therapeutic procedures (ie setting up treatment tray of instruments to be used during an examination). Orients Veterans to Unit. Utilizes beginning techniques when observing Veteran's physical and emotional condition and care, given and Veterans' response, initiates appropriate reporting and recording. Utilizes beginning techniques of therapeutic socialization and interpersonal relations. Uses appropriate Intervention approaches with Psychiatric Veterans. Attends to Veterans activities of daily living by assisting the Veteran to attain maximum independence and self-care in bathing, grooming and feeding; performs rehabilitative nursing procedures such as transfer, ambulation, range in motion, and assists with activities such as bowel and bladder training. Utilizes proper body mechanics and operates all equipment safely and in accordance with Safe patient handling procedures and training. Participates in recreational and educational experiences which will assist psychiatric Veterans in acquiring social skills and acceptable patterns of behavior in preparation of transitioning to community living. Completes assignments posted on the daily assignment sheet; reports on unfinished tasks throughout the day; uses appropriate channels of communication (follows chain of command). Measuring total intake (oral, nasogastric, gastric and intravenous) and output (urine, fecal emesis and nasogastric). Maintains indwelling and external urinary catheters, maintains the gravity drainage system, and observes for patency, provides catheter care according to procedures/standards. Demonstrates competency and consistency in the technical use of equipment, including VOCERA and Tele-sitter. Takes Emergency measures calls for the nurse and/or physician and assists with resuscitation procedures in cardiac and respiratory arrest. Promptly reports changes in the Veterans' behavior and/or physical condition such as hemorrhaging, respiratory distress and records nursing assistant interventions performed in the \"Progress Notes\" which are part of the Veterans clinical record. Recognizes and protests Veterans right to safety, privacy, and self- determination Performs 1:1 Observation. Establishes working relationships with multi-disciplinary and multi- level members of the work team. Performs other related additional duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 7:30AM-4:00 PM; Alternating Weekends and Holidays Functional Statement #: 21N44-A Financial 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.
