Location: Manchester, New Hampshire, New Hampshire
Salary: Open
Internal Number: 791233800
This Nursing Assistant position is in Geriatrics and Extended Care/Community Living Center at the Manchester VA Medical Center, located in Manchester, NH. This position is full time at 40 hours per week. Please note: This announcement's closing date has been extended out to 3 Sep 24. **Due to the revision of the Hybrid Title 38 qualification standard for the appointment and advancement of the Nursing Assistant GS-0621 occupation as of 22 May 2024, this current announcement was updated as of 29 May 2024 to include the new basic requirements. 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. 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. 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. [Experience or] Education or Training: 1. Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of an NA; OR, 2. One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation; OR, 3. 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. 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 [NA] (Entry Level) (a) Experience [and] Education: None beyond the basic requirements. (b) Assignments: Individuals assigned as GS-3 [NAs] are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised. GS-4 [NA] (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; 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. (d) Assignment: 1. Individuals assigned as GS-4 [NAs] are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised. [NAs] at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist higher graded [NAs], licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care or other patients/residents who are in acute, sub-acute, or chronic states of illness. The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision and refer issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded [NAs] or other healthcare professionals. GS-5 [NA] (Full Performance Level) (a) Experience: One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to theGS-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 [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. (d) Assignment: This is the full performance level for [NAs]. [NAs] at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care or other patients/residents who are in acute, sub acute or chronic states of illness. The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements. [NAs] at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role. References: VA Handbook 5005/81 Part II Appendix G46.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. 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: 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, 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 wear 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 employment conditions. These physical requirements will be consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019. ["GS-3 Level: The Nursing Assistant at this grade level functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute chronic, maintenance, and hospice care. The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs, which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements. The NA at this level also assumes a peer education/mentorship. GS-4 Level: The Nursing Assistant at this grade level is considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and is closely supervised. The NA at this grade level is learning to provide complex nursing care independently as a member of the nursing care team by assisting higher graded NAs, licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team. The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision, are learning to perform complex nursing skills, and will refer issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded NAs, licensed nursing staff, or other healthcare professionals.GS-5 Level: The Nursing Assistant at this level is at full performance for (NA) occupation 0621 series. The NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute chronic, maintenance, and hospice care. The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs, which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements. The NA at this level also assumes a peer education/mentorship. GS-5 Level: The Nursing Assistant at this level is at full performance for (NA) occupation 0621 series. The NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute chronic, maintenance, and hospice care. The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs, which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements. The NA at this level also assumes a peer education/mentorship. Appointment Types: Full-Time, Work Schedule: Day/Evening/Nights, Rotating shifts with holidays and weekends Telework: Not available Compressed/Flexible: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F03673, F03674, F03675 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.