Career Center

The Nursing Assistant positions are located at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center and surrounding areas of Houston, TX. If you are a current permanent VA employees or Federal employee from other federal agencies should apply to CBST-11870808-23-TH. This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 15, 2023 or until all positions are filled. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be March 31, 2023 with subsequent application reviews every 2 weeks. If vacancies remain after September 30, 2023, then another announcement will be opened in October 2023. Eligible applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. These Nursing Assistant positions are a Temporary Appointment with a not to exceed date of 1 year & 1 day from start date. This appointment may be terminated at any time subject to the availability of funds, workload, and needs of the Service. This appointment does not provide eligibility for permanent appointment. This Announcement will be used to fill multiple vacancies within multiple Services identified during the interview. TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION, YOU MUST SUBMIT A COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE, OR YOU WILL RECEIVE AN ELECTRONIC NOTICE THAT YOU ARE RATED INELIGIBLE. SEE QUALIFICATIONS SECTION AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS SECTION FOR DETAILS. KSAs MUST BE DEMONSTRATED IN YOUR RESUME. PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE ANNOUNCEMENT AND REFER BACK TO IT OFTEN WHEN WRITING YOUR RESUME. 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 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. Transcript for Nursing Assistant courses or Nursing Assistant License must be submitted. English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA policy. Resume must include hours per week for work experience credit. Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Your resume must demonstrate that you possess the specialized experience necessary to possess the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required for the grade. Be explicit in describing the job duties that demonstrate you possess the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities listed. Transcript must be submitted GS-3 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level) (a) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Nursing Assistant (a) 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, (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; Transcript must be submitted. AND, (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, you 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 Nursing Assistant (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 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; Transcript must be submitted. 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 NAs 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, Part II, Nursing Assistant Qualification Standards, 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-03 to GS-05. Physical Requirements: This position will require heavy lifting and heavy carrying (45-pounds and over); straight pulling and pushing (1-2 hours) and require the use of fingers. Use of both legs and walking is required (2-4 hours). Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Both eyes are required. Depth perception along with the ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors. Hearing is required. ["Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the team to support various Care Lines. Responsible for the more complex personal patient care duties, supporting diagnostic procedures, technical nursing treatments, patient charting, and patient instruction which involves direct work relationships with patients and participation as a member of the nursing care team in direct services to patients. Primary duties include, but are not limited to: Performs basic nursing care with dignity and respect which includes, but not limited to takes vital signs (pulse, respirations, blood pressure, temperature, and pain), height and weight; measures intake and output and documents in patient record; suctions nasal/oral cavity; bathing (bed bath, partial bath, tub, shower, foot bath, sitz bath); hair care, including shampoo for bedfast patients; eye care including prosthesis; skin care (topical ointments, hydrocolloid dressing, etc.); observe and reports signs of skin breakdown to RN/LVN; post-mortem care; transfer assistance (bed to chair, chair to bed, etc.); itemizes patient belongings according to unit procedures. Tele-Sitter position provides continuous surveillance of patients on various nursing units that require close observation. Monitor 8-10 patients via Tele-sitter electronic equipment on video screens and verbally redirects patients to adhere to safety guidelines. Must be proficient in using the Tele-sitter software to communicate with patients and staff. Correct insertion of straight urinary catheters and irrigation procedures and correctly administers suppositories as a part of an established bowel training program under the supervision of an RN/LVN (SCI, TCC, IMC) Utilizes Standard Precautions in caring for all patients. Assist patients with accomplishing activities of daily living and rehabilitation measures, i.e., therapeutic positioning and turning, use of assistive devices (canes, walkers, wheelchairs) or as prescribed for, patient's safe physical functioning, assisting patients with ambulation/transfer activities Performs diagnostic support duties such as blood and urine glucose testing; collects urine, sputum, emesis, and feces specimens. Provides for patient safety which includes application of restraints, infection control procedures, corrects the use of restraint alternatives. Performs simple and complex dressing changes. Performs designated basic treatments and procedures as specific to work area. Performs basic procedures for accomplishing the patient requirements for nutrition and hydration. Assists the patient with bedpan, urinal, bedside commode and other toileting activities. Work Schedule: 7:30a-8p or 7:30p-8a with rotational shifts, weekends & Holidays-will be discussed during the interview. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Nursing Assistant-TEMP/PD000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Available Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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