This Nursing Assistant position is in the Nursing Service at the Boston VA Healthcare System located at the West Roxbury campus. This position can be either part time or full time and up to 40 hours per week. Applicants should be fully qualified by the close of this announcement. 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. Experience or Education or Training: Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA; OR, One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation; OR, 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: Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. 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 Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements.Assignments: Individuals assigned as GS-3 are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised. GS-4 Experience: One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant 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. 4. Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals. Assignment 1. Individuals assigned as GS-4 are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised. At this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist higher graded, 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 or other healthcare professionals. 2. In this role, the Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists higher graded, 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 who are in acute, sub-acute, or chronic states of illness. The Nursing Assistant in this role provides care under close supervision and refers issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded, or other healthcare professionals. GS-5 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 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; AND 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 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. Assignment. This is the full performance level for Nursing Assistants. 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. 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 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, and pushing. Transferring patients with assistance and transferring of 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. The incumbent must be able to navigate all areas of the facility. This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments, as this is a 24/7 Medical Center. ["The incumbent serves as a Nursing Assistant in Nursing Service. The position is located at the VA Boston Healthcare System. The incumbent performs duties related to the direct functions related to the treatment of the patient on the wards/specialty care areas, as directed. The incumbent will interface with personal computer (PC) applications as well as numerous VISTA applications. Duties and responsibilities of the Nursing Assistant include but are not limited to: Reports patient observations to the Registered Nurse and other members of the treatment team. Organizes and obtains routine supplies and equipment Provides complete personal hygiene care needs, turns and positions patients to maintain proper body alignment, lifts, ambulates and transfers patients. Promotes the physical independence of the patient by encouraging and teaching individual patients and groups of patients in self-care activities, such as progressive steps in personal hygiene, bathing, and oral care, also assists in teaching and encouraging other care activities such as eating, dressing, undressing, and other training as needed. Participates in the admission of patients by providing secure, reassuring milieu, orienting patients to the unit, checking them for contraband when indicated and assisting the registered nurse in implementing the nursing admission procedure. Functions as the \"sitter\" for patients who need close observations. Sitter assignments include providing personal hygiene, feeding, elimination, and intake and output and the prevention of patient injury. Performs assigned technical procedures but not limited to: taking and recording blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respiration, pulse oximetry, height, weight, collecting specimens, and administering oxygen using tank and or wall oxygen. Records vital signs, procedures, and nursing care in the patients' electronic medical record. Practices techniques and principles of medical asepsis and infection prevention, e.g. hand hygiene, persona protective equipment and reusable medical equipment. Monitors stock levels and maintains inventory by working closely with Central Distribution Department. Performs environmental duties to ensure the safety of self, patients and coworkers Work Schedule: Full time, Day shift 6:30am-3pm, with occasional rotation Compressed/Flexible Work Schedule: Not Authorized Telework: May be available at Supervisory discretion. Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: FS02834/FS02835/FS02836 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. NOTIFICATIONS: This position is in the Excepted Service. These positions are Bargaining Unit. These positions are covered by a special rate. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be requested from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment. Incomplete applications will not be considered."]

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