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Nebraska-Western Iowa VA Health Care System is hiring for multiple Nursing Assistant vacancies throughout our medical-surgical nursing units at the Omaha VA Medical Center. The Nursing Assistant will assist with activities of daily living and provide basic nursing care for the general Veteran patient population hospitalized for various causes such as illness, surgery, testing, or observation. BASIC REQUIREMENTS 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. Note: A copy of college transcripts showing completion of one year of education above high school related to the NA occupation, or documentation showing completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant (e.g., Nurse Aid Certificate) is required at the time of application. Grandfathering Provisions: All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard (March 12, 2015) 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 reentry to the occupation. GRADE DETERMINATION: The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-3 through GS-5. In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the qualification criteria outlined below must be met for each grade. To receive full consideration at the GS-4 and -5 levels, your application must clearly demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) described below. GS-3 - Entry Level Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised. GS-4 - Developmental Level 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 (transcripts required). 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 residents' 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs listed below. 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 (transcripts required). 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G46 ["Currently, the Omaha VA Medical Center has many vacant full-time and part-time Nursing Assistant positions throughout three different areas of our medical-surgical nursing unit: Medical-Surgical unit located on 5 East. This unit serves the general Veteran patient population hospitalized for various causes including illness, surgery, testing, or observation. Medical-Surgical (Cardiology) located on 6 East. This position specializes in treating Veterans with serious or acute heart problems as well as various illness, surgery, testing, or observation. Medical-Surgical (Oncology and Orthopedics) located on 7 East. This unit specialized in the treatment of Veterans with a variety of conditions such as fall-related injuries, hip and knee replacements, amputations, and patients who are receiving chemotherapy agents. Major duties for the Medical Surgical Nursing Assistant include, but are not limited to: Providing general nursing care and personal care assistance to patients, including activities of daily living and the removal of peripheral IVs and indwelling urinary catheter. Monitoring patient condition levels; recognizes and reports changes in patient condition to the registered nurse. Possessing the knowledge and skills to keep patients safe. Performs purposeful hourly rounds to identify and address patient needs. Obtaining and electronically documents patient vital signs, including temperature, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, weight, respiration, and pulse. Performing Point-of-Care testing which may include blood glucose, hemoccult and specific gravity testing. Performs quality control and instrument check procedures and maintains related records. Preparing patients for tests, procedures, etc. and transports patients to tests, procedures, and different levels of care. Collects specimens as directed using appropriate or specified equipment for collecting and handling specimens. Performing EKGs and transmits studies. Obtaining and removes equipment and supplies necessary for patient care. Maintaining and storing equipment appropriately and completing electronic requests for equipment repairs. Maintaining par levels of supplies and equipment on assigned unit(s). Notifies supervisor when reorder points are reached. Stocking patient rooms, nursing areas, supply carts, etc. with appropriate items at required levels. May be asked to perform patient safety aide duties such as sitting/observing one-on-one high-risk patients. May be required to provide coverage across units depending on patient need. May be required to train and precept new employees. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full-time (7:00pm to 7:30am) and part-time (7:00am-7:30pm and 7:00pm-7:30am) schedules available. Additional Pay: Shift Differential - 10% of basic pay for work performed during regularly scheduled hours between 6pm and 6am. Weekend Premium - 25% of basic pay for work performed between the hours of midnight Friday and midnight Sunday. This includes continuous service connected to work performed during these hours. Holiday Pay - 2 times basic hourly rate for regularly scheduled, non-overtime work on a designated holiday. Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized for eligible, highly qualified applicants. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Physical Requirements: This position requires some degree of fitness, strength, and agility. Nursing Assistants may be required to position a patient in bed or transport a patient. Nursing Assistants must also have strength to pull and push; stand for long periods of time (8-12 hours); lift moderately heavy objects with assistive devices; walking, bending, kneeling, twisting, and reaching above shoulders. Visual and auditory acuity is required (correctable with glasses/hearing devices) to perform assessments, monitor equipment, collect data, etc. Fine motor skills are required to grasp and control medical equipment and perform precise procedures. Nebraska-Western Iowa VA Health Care System is part of the VA Midwest Health Care Network (VISN 23). The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being."]

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